

Sculpture of the front bar at Sadie's Bar Royal
Just off Wood Street - a dimly lit street beside the heart of Liverpool’s early gay scene - the Bar Royal graced (or disgraced, depending on who you ask) many queen’s hearts. More commonly known as ‘Sadie’s’, it is often remembered for its 70’s decor resembling “your nan’s living room”, its sticky carpets, a vibrant disco room and of course, the infamous Tony Sadie who ran the club until its closure when he suddenly passed away in the late 1980s. People often remember the club for its exclusiveness, with the owner Sadie and his doorman Reg heavily vetting guests upon their arrival, bolting people in to create a protected community of mostly gay, transgender and cross-dressing individuals. Here, they were free to be more expressive of their identities and dance the night away.
Sculpture of the front bar at Sadie's Bar Royal