IV-A-Go-Go

"Three weeks ago, the sleepy Italian Village, haven of Chianti drinkers, became the noisier A-Go-Go dance club," wrote the Milwaukee Journal on August 2, 1965. "The dance floor, once the scene of cheek-to-cheek Waltzes, is now filled with what looks like a picnic crowd stamping out ants."

In July 1965, the long-running Third Ward supper club started inviting youth to come down to the "Boon Dock Area" and check out the swinging scene.  Eighteen year olds were admitted for $1 each, which included admission and two soft drinks.  

"It just got too quiet around here with the middle-aged crowd," said manager Anthony Balistreri. "Business will be better with the peppier crowd."

A month later, Balistreri was convicted of selling beer to minors.  A year later, the I.V. was one of four go-go joints shut down for violating the "all ages" business ordinance.  Minors were not permitted to enter businesses unless they were primarily restaurants. Three of the four businesses were not allowed to reopen, but the I.V. reopened in October 1966.

After an extensive 1970 remodel, the club continued to advertise to teenagers well into summer 1972.  In its final years, the I.V. was known as a safe space for gay men and lesbians to dance, mostly thanks to the involvement of Jimmy Zingale of Castaways fame.  It was also known as a sure spot to purchase "party drugs," according to more than one source.

 On November 25, 1972, the business was 50% destroyed by a two-alarm fire that started in the basement and gutted the east half of the building.  The remains were sold at fire sale in August 1973 and the building was later demolished.

Anthony Balistreri died February 3, 1982 at age 69.