Remembering Shelly’s Leg: Vitally Proud Space in Seattle’s Queer Herstory

Shelly’s Leg (1973-1977) was Seattle’s first openly gay bar and safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.

Founder Shelly Bauman / Tom N. Deen

The popular nightclub got its start in a rather unique way. Shelly Bauman, the founder of Shelly’s Leg, lost her left leg in a parade accident in the early ‘70s. She used the money from her settlement to open the nightclub in 1973. Bauman chose to create something that was groundbreaking for its time. Her decision to open the club was about more than just business; it was about creating a community.

Shelly’s Leg was renowned for being a popular disco spot in the ‘70s; it was a place where everyone was welcome, regardless of their sexuality. At a time when many had to hide who they were, Shelly's Leg became a space where people could freely be themselves. Although it was known as a gay disco club, it wasn’t exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community; it also attracted many straight people to its lively scene.

While some people merely went to fulfill their own curiosities, others were enticed by the vivacious atmosphere and the omission of a cover fee. “It was almost always packed…” said Bruce Buls in a 2018 interview, who was a former DJ at the Leg and a close friend of Shelly’s. “What really characterized it, in addition to being a gay bar, was that it was a disco. [It was popular] approaching the height of the disco era. If you were straight or gay, and ‘Disco Inferno’ comes on, you want to shake your butt, and that's what people did.”

Shelly’s Leg gained popularity in a time when the internet didn’t exist and information was harder to come by. For many people, it was quite difficult to find places where they could be themselves, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. The only way to hear about the few spots that were safe was by word of mouth. Many stayed closeted in fear of losing their jobs, friends, or family; the stakes were high for people in the community at this time. Yet, this is precisely what made Shelly’s Leg a pivotal turning point in LGBTQ+ history: the fact that it was the first openly advertised gay bar and safe space.

What exactly made Shelly Bauman decide to open Shelly’s Leg? According to Bruce Buls, it wasn’t solely about creating a nightclub; it was about providing a space for her friends. “I’m pretty sure one of the reasons she started Shelly’s Leg was so that Marty could be a DJ … she was aware that there were these clubs in New York or Chicago, where DJs were playing live records … she said, ‘I can do that for Marty and my gay friends,’” Buls said in a 2018 interview with Kevin Kniestedt.

Although the Leg was permanently shut down in 1977, the true downfall of the vivacious nightclub happened in December of 1975. A semi-truck that was heading down the Alaskan Way Viaduct separated from the oil tankard attached to it. Shockingly, the oil tankard flipped, hitting the cars outside of the nightclub; this led to the parking lot and windows of Shelly’s Leg exploding. Fortunately, nobody was harmed in this tragedy. But when the Leg was finally able to reopen, it had lost its spark.

77 S Main Street in Pioneer Square, former home of Shelly’s Leg / HistoryLink.tours

There is no concrete answer as to why this happened, but it is possible that the explosion scared their usual customers from coming back. Or perhaps, when the disco era died, the spirit of the once energetic nightclub died with it. Whatever the cause, it serves as a reminder of the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community: even in the face of destruction and change, they will always rise again and be remembered. Though Shelly’s Leg had a brief existence, it remains an indelible and important part of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ history.