Unity Club
Bar Dance
2537 N. Martin Luther King Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
State Region
Southeast WI
Neighborhood
Sherman Park
Year Opened: 1976
Year Closed: 1986
Exact Date Opened: Unknown
Exact Date Closed: Unknown
Clientele Primarily Identified As
Gay, Black
The Unity Club was a safe and welcoming place for Black Milwaukee youth from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Customers remember Miss Tony and Miss Racine "holding court" and creating space for youngsters. It was later known as "Duke's Unity Club." The building was demolished in 2025. We welcome any available information about this location and its owners.
INPUT ALWAYS WELCOME!
We are always looking for photos of the exterior and interiors of Bars and other Places, as well as information about ownership, activities and opening and closing background info about Places. We welcome your input and photos!
The Unity Club might have been owned by Jesse Griffin, who lived at this address with his wife Carol from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.
Note: 2537 N. Martin Luther King Dr. (formerly N. 3rd St.) had a long history as a nightlife destination. From 1942-1948, Nino Costarella (1918-1973) opened La Conga Nightclub at this address. In 1957, he opened Nino's Steak Round-Up at 756 N. Plankinton Avenue. Nino's became a regional chain with over three dozen restaurants in four states. The last Nino's closed in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 2011 after 41 years in business.
INPUT ALWAYS WELCOME!
We are always looking for photos of the exterior and interiors of Bars and other Places, as well as information about ownership, activities and opening and closing background info about Places. We welcome your input and photos!
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