Opened in December 1992 by Ray Jacobson, Ray's Bar & Grill was a popular Madison gay bar. It was promoted as "Madison's finest gay owned & operated Bar & Grill" and "A Place for Clean, Healthy Fun." Over the next 15 years, Ray's had one of the most confusing histories of any Madison gay bar, including three addresses, multiple name and concept changes, and an unfortunate and abrupt closing in April 2007. The Winnebago Street location closed in January 1995.