Roundabout

Whether you are there for live sports, live music, the famous Wisconsin Old Fashioneds, or a friendly conversation with the bartenders, Roundabout offers a "home-away-from-home" atmosphere where everyone is welcomed. 

First, it was Buddy's. Then it was a 12-year span of different bars. And then it was Buddy's again, with a completely different owner.

Amy Gustafson was bartending part-time at Buddy's when the owners decided to bow out. She asked her girlfriend, Terri Vande Hei, if she wanted to buy a bar. After all, they both bartended at Green Bay businesses for years.

"My honest response was, 'no, I don't. See you later.'  I had been working as a full-time paramedic for 30 years. Amy had been working in the hospital system. What did we want with a bar of our own?"  said Terri.  

Terri has lived in Green Bay her whole life. Amy grew up in Green Bay, left for Marinette for a few years, and returned in 2011 when she met Terri.  They loved hanging out at Shelter, which was a large club with dancing, shows, and local events.  They visited Sass (owned by Sally and Sue,) but the vibe didn't really resonate with them. Terri notes that the bar was very heavily lesbian-oriented, and she had more fun in more mixed venues.

"That's just always been me," she said.

Amy wasn't giving up on her idea. She came back to Terri again, and said, "I want to do this."  Terri knew it was time to lean in.

"I told her I would support her decision. 'Let's do it!'"

There was just one stipulation:  Terri didn't want their bar labeled a lesbian-only space.

"I wanted this to be an everyone, everything, anytime bar," said Terri. "I wanted our bar to be open to all without exceptions. And Amy agreed completely."

The Roundabout opened September 18, 2013. They chose the name with a specific intention.

"We welcome everyone, but it's up to you to decide if the bar is for you," said Terri. "You walk in, you walk out, there's about 23 different ways you can come and go.  We designed our logo to indicate that feeling of inclusion. You're welcome to come here and be yourself, and put your arms around your loved one, and know you are safe doing so.  We do not accept any hostility towards any of our customers, ever.  You're welcome to come in, meet people who are different from you, make new friends through listening and learning.  You are not welcome to bring judgemental attitudes in here with you."

"We need to put the old stigmas aside," said Terri, "and create a safe space for people to come together. We may be a small space, but we've done a whole lot of good here. We've watched so many friendships develop here as people come to understand each other better. Lots of supporters, lots of alliances, lots of relationships. That's what we've always been pushing for."

Terri and Amy are happy to support local events and fundraisers, and they have a long-standing friendship with Butch at the Napalese Lounge.  Because of their square footage, they don't have shows of their own, nor do they serve food. 

"Green Bay is only 100,000 people," said Terri. "It's never going to be San Francisco, Chicago, or even Milwaukee.  But it is slowly coming around to LGBTQ recognition, support, and visibility. And that has really opened up our doors to a lot more people. Today, we are maybe 70% gay 30% straight on an average night. I love seeing these bridges being built across our communities."