The Riviera, opened November 25, 1949 by John Balestrieri and John Triliegi, was Milwaukee's premier gay bar for 15 years. After World War II, the city's first gayborhood, "The Strip," emerged in the 400 block of N. Plankinton Avenue, replacing historic sailor bars already operating for decades. In 1951, the Machi brothers reopened as Tony’s Riviera. The bar was popular and profitable, drawing ongoing FBI and police attention. On March 15, 1964, a jilted lover ignited a five-alarm fire and destroyed the building. Tony Machi relocated to 952 N. Plankinton Ave. until Pere Marquete Park was developed in 1967.