San Francisco, California story
A Window to the World
In the early days of gay bars, the goal was often to stay hidden, but the Twin Peaks Tavern decided to do the opposite. When lesbian friends Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Forster bou…
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In the early days of gay bars, the goal was often to stay hidden, but the Twin Peaks Tavern decided to do the opposite. When lesbian friends Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Forster bought the venue in 1972, they unveiled something radical: full-length, open plate glass windows. It was the first known gay bar in the U.S.
to display its patrons to the street rather than hiding them away. The building itself has a long history, starting in 1883 as a saloon and cigar shop, later getting a Mediterranean revival-style façade in 1923. By choosing transparency over secrecy, the tavern became a symbol of visibility in the Castro.
Today, it stands as a San Francisco Designated Landmark, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply let the world see you.
Updated June 2026