Angelo's Mint Bar (Mint Bar II)

When the $53M multi-block Bradley Center project began in 1985, the historic Mint Bar (422 W. State St.) was one of seven downtown properties acquired for the site.  After years of urban renewal, the Mint was one of only two buildings remaining in a massive surface parking lot that was once filled with dense architecture.  The building sold for just $92,000.

On June 28, 1986, the Mint hosted a wake for its State Street location, complete with black wreaths, black balloons, tombstones, and a "Rest in Peace" banner. More than 300 attended the ceremony in black memorial armbands.  When the Mint Bar opened at its new address (819 S. 2nd St.,) owner Bettie Aiello hosted a "Resurrection Party."

Relocating to Walker's Point had been successful for displaced gay bars since the 1960s.  It was not successful for the Mint Bar.  Everything that made the Mint unique was gone: the space, the crowd, the neighborhood, the downtown vibe. Long-time customers, many seniors who did not drive, stopped coming. Long-time employees, such as Miss Tracey, found the new venue unwelcoming. And younger customers had high expectations in a neighborhood ruled by La Cage, Club 219 and Triangle.

After four short years, Bettie retired, new owners changed the name to BJ's Mint (and soon, BJ's,) and the longest-running gay bar in Wisconsin came to an end after 41 years. The Mint Bar II later became Zippers and Fluid.