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Elite’s historical value is mostly obscured by the building’s perceived lack of architectural value. Today, the unassuming building that once housed Elite’s remains, providing services as a Rent-A-Center.Īlthough the building at 38 Warren Street still stands, its rich history is largely forgotten. Without the flashing neon signs boasted proudly by other local gay bars (like the Punch Bowl, Boston’s foremost gay bar in the 1970s), Elite’s vernacular architecture gave little suggestion of the social hub behind its facade.
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However, bar-goers were not deterred and continued to gather at Elite’s for several years after. Drop all pretension, leave all expectations at the door, and just have fun. There was one early incident where several locals attempted to burn down the building with people still inside. This is old-school bar culture, only tailored towards the city's gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered population. Elite’s was regarded as a space without discrimination. With its prime location near Dudley Square-now called Nubian Square-the club drew both local Black men and women. 38 Warren Street, Roxbury-With a flourishing LGBT subculture, post-Stonewall Boston was a hub of gay activity and activism. Boston’s first and only exclusively Black gay club, Elite’s, thrived from 1970 to 1973 in the neighborhood of Roxbury. Elite’s specifically celebrated and served the Black LGBT community.Įlite’s was founded first as a daytime bar and was later transformed into a nighttime gay bar by the son of Elite’s owner.