The Mix (Tacoma, Washington)

Last updated
The Mix
The Mix logo.jpeg
Tacoma, Washington (May 2023) - 151.jpg
The bar's exterior in 2023
The Mix (Tacoma, Washington)
Restaurant information
Owner(s)
  • Matt Henderson
  • Brock Leach
  • Travis Scheff
Street address635 St. Helens Avenue
City Tacoma
StateWashington
Postal/ZIP Code98402
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 47°15′28″N122°26′33″W / 47.25778°N 122.44250°W / 47.25778; -122.44250
Website themixtacoma.com

The Mix is a gay bar in Tacoma, Washington, in the United States.

Contents

Description

The Mix is an LGBT-friendly bar in on St. Helens Avenue in Tacoma, Washington. [1] The bar hosts dancing, [2] drag shows [1] and karaoke regularly; SouthSound Talk says, "Every night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Mix packs with men and women eager to take the bar's tiny stage. Enjoy a round of pool while you wait for your turn on the mic." [3]

History

Co-owners have included Matt Henderson, Brock Leach, and Travis Scheff. [4]

The bar hosts an annual block party in conjunction with Pride festivities. [5] [6] [7] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Mix hosted a virtual drag show. [8]

Reception


Chelsea Hawkins of MyNorthwest.com has called The Mix an "important fixture". [9] In a 2013 "queer girl" guide of Tacoma, Autostraddle said of the bar:

Relaxed and friendly, you'll feel right at home here. There's karaoke, but when that's not happening they tend to play pretty decent music. Like Silverstone, The Mix is a queer grab bag: on any given night you can booze alongside drag queens, baby boomers, femmes, butches, leather daddies… you name it. The Mix may not be the most, um, glamorous place you've ever been drunk at, but the bartenders are nice and the crowd is kind of hilarious. [10]

According to SouthSound Talk, The Mix was named Western Washington's best gay and lesbian bar in 2014. [3] The Advocate said The Mix was "the go-to neighborhood bar" in 2015. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay anthem</span> A meaningful song for the LGBT community

A gay anthem is a popular song that has become widely popular among, or has become identified with, the gay community, although some of these songs have also become anthems for the wider LGBT community. Not all songs labelled as "gay anthems" were written intentionally to become gay anthems, but those that do are often marked by themes of perseverance, inner strength, acceptance, pride, and unity. Research in 2007 suggested that the song most commonly identified as a gay anthem is "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and described the song as "a classic emblem of gay culture in the post-Stonewall and AIDS eras".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heklina</span> American drag queen and actor (1967–2023)

Stefan Grygelko, better known by the stage name Heklina, was an American actor, drag queen, and entrepreneur in San Francisco. Grygelko's mother was Icelandic, and having been born in the U.S., he lived in Iceland in the 1980s; he named his drag character after the Icelandic volcano Hekla. Heklina founded the drag club Trannyshack in 1996.

I think that drag queens are still the eunuch clown that's safe to laugh at. It's definitively not shocking anymore. So I don't know if America's really embraced it. The early 90s was when RuPaul [was becoming famous] and it was the first time any drag queen had mainstream exposure. I don't really see a drag queen breaking out like that [again].

Autostraddle is an independently owned online magazine and social network for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, as well as non-binary people and trans people of all genders. The website is a "politically progressive queer feminist media source" that features content covering LGBT and feminist news, politics, opinion, culture, arts and entertainment as well as lifestyle content such as DIY crafting, sex, relationships, fashion, food and technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CC Slaughters</span> Pair of gay bars and nightclubs in Portland, Oregon and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

CC Slaughters is a gay bar and nightclub located in Portland, Oregon, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Portland bar is located in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, and the Puerto Vallarta bar is located in Zona Romántica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Boston</span>

Boston is a hub of LGBT culture and LGBT activism in the United States despite state attempts to subdue and subvert LGBT+ visibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon</span>

LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon is an important part of Pacific Northwest culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in New York City</span>

New York City has been described as the gay capital of the world and the central node of the LGBTQ+ sociopolitical ecosystem, and is home to one of the world's largest LGBTQ populations and the most prominent. Brian Silverman, the author of Frommer's New York City from $90 a Day, wrote the city has "one of the world's largest, loudest, and most powerful LGBT communities", and "Gay and lesbian culture is as much a part of New York's basic identity as yellow cabs, high-rise buildings, and Broadway theatre". LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". LGBT advocate and entertainer Madonna stated metaphorically, "Anyways, not only is New York City the best place in the world because of the queer people here. Let me tell you something, if you can make it here, then you must be queer."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Sister's Room</span> Lesbian bar in Georgia, United States

My Sister's Room (MSR) is a lesbian bar in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the nation. It was opened in 1996 and remains a lesbian-owned and operated bar but welcomes the entire LGBTQIA community. Pictures of My Sister's Room in the 1990s are in Emory University's permanent photo collection.

<i>Happy Birthday, Marsha!</i> 2018 American film

Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a 2017 fictional short film that imagines the gay and transgender rights pioneers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera in the hours that led up to the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. The film stars Mya Taylor as Johnson and Eve Lindley as Rivera.

Naysha Lopez is the stage name of drag performer and beauty pageant participant Fabian Rodriguez, who won the 2013 Miss Continental competition and appeared on the eighth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

Seattle has a notably large LGBT community, and the city of Seattle has protected gay and lesbian workers since the passage of the Fair Employment Practice Ordinance in 1973. Seattle's LGBT culture has been celebrated at Seattle Pride which began in 1977 as Gay Pride Week. Gay cabaret traveled in a circuit including Seattle and San Francisco since the 1930s. Seattle had gay-friendly clubs and bars since the 1930s including The Casino in Underground Seattle at Pioneer Square which allowed same-sex dancing since 1930, and upstairs from it, The Double Header, in continuous operation since 1933 or 1934 until 2015, was thought to be the oldest gay bar in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industry Bar</span> Gay bar and nightclub in Manhattan, New York City

Industry Bar, or simply Industry, is a gay bar and nightclub in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Owned by Bob Pontarelli, it is a sister establishment to Barracuda, a gay bar, and Elmo, a restaurant. Industry opened in 2010 and caters primarily to a crowd of young gay men and tourists. Its musical selection is mostly pop, and its live entertainment consists of a number of weekly drag shows, many of which are hosted by internationally recognized drag queens. New York City nightlife journalists frequently note Industry as one of the top gay venues in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barracuda Lounge</span> Gay bar in Manhattan, New York, U.S.

Barracuda Lounge, or simply Barracuda, is a gay bar in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1995, the bar is known for its nightly drag shows. It is a sister establishment to Industry, a nightclub, and Elmo, a restaurant. Barracuda is home to "Star Search", the longest-running bar show in New York City, which began in the early 1990s and may have served as an inspiration for RuPaul's Drag Race. In the 1990s and 2000s, Barracuda was a popular celebrity hangout, and it was frequently the site of promotional events for new music and Broadway plays. While closed for much of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue underwent a major renovation. It reopened in June 2021. Critics generally praise Barracuda for its intimate, relaxed and entertainment-focused atmosphere, which was unusual at the time of its creation, and some credit this with revolutionizing the concept of gay bars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesbian Bar Project</span> Campaign to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars"

The Lesbian Bar Project is a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the US." The project launched on October 28, 2020 with a PSA video narrated by Lea DeLaria that announced a 30-day fundraising campaign to support what were thought to be the last 15 lesbian bars left in the country, many of which were financially threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A second phase followed in June 2021 in connection with Pride Month, including the release of a short documentary, and a three-part docuseries was released on National Coming Out Day 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Lounge</span> Defunct gay bar in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Local Lounge was a gay bar in Portland, Oregon, operating from 2010 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flawless Shade</span> American drag queen and make-up artist

Flawless Shade is the stage name of Tajh Jordan, an American drag queen and make-up artist based in Portland, Oregon. A former Miss Gay Oregon, Flawless Shade has been featured in campaigns by Adidas, GLAAD, and Top Level Design. Jordan competed under their real name on the subscription-based streaming service WOW Presents Plus's competition series Painted with Raven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Queen's Head (Portland, Oregon)</span> Defunct LGBT pub and lounge in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Queen's Head was an LGBT-friendly pub and lounge in Portland, Oregon, United States. Daniel Bund opened the restaurant in late 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Described as an inclusive drag bar and gay club, The Queen's Head hosted burlesque and talent shows, karaoke, poetry slams, trivia competitions, and other events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhein Haus Seattle</span> German restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Rhein Haus Seattle, or simply Rhein Haus, is a restaurant in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. Previously, the business operated as Von Trapp's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purr Cocktail Lounge</span> Defunct gay bar in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Purr Cocktail Lounge was a gay bar and nightclub in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. The video bar operated on Capitol Hill from 2005 to 2017, before relocating to Montlake. Purr hosted a variety of events and activities, ranging from drag shows and karaoke to viewing parties for elections and television shows. It was included in lists of the world's 200 "greatest" gay bars by the magazines Out and Out Traveler. Purr closed in 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 Manager, Web (2019-01-22). "Sashay to The Mix for a Friday night of drag fun". The Tacoma Ledger. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  2. "Gayest Cities in America, 2013". www.advocate.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  3. 1 2 Greenman, Margo (2015-04-22). "Sing Your Heart Out at Tacoma Karaoke Bars". SouthSoundTalk. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  4. Chastaine, Danielle (2017-11-15). "I'm Here, I'm Queer, Where Do I Hangout?". GRIT CITY MAGAZINE. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  5. Carvajal, Christian (July 23, 2015). "Best of Tacoma 2015: Best Overall Queer Party and Best Karaoke - Bars & Clubs - Northwest Military - Home of The Ranger, NW Airlifter & Weekly Volcano". www.northwestmilitary.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  6. "Tacoma shows its Pride". Tacoma Weekly . Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  7. Dunkelberger, Steve (2016-07-04). "Tacoma Pride Festival Celebrates Love and Equality in the City of Destiny". SouthSoundTalk. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  8. "Tacoma bar The Mix reopens with plans for virtual drag show". The News Tribune. October 19, 2020.
  9. "A look at the queerest city in Washington: Tacoma". MyNorthwest.com. 2015-02-05. Archived from the original on 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  10. "Queer Girl City Guide: Tacoma, Washington". Autostraddle . 2013-01-01. Archived from the original on 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  11. "Queerest Cities in America 2015". www.advocate.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-24. Retrieved 2023-05-31.