Bars, Restaurants, & Taverns
CHUCKLES
NW Fountain November 1981/Page 19 states, “The Rip-Tickler Restaurant has taken over Chuckles’dining room and you can now enjoy your cocktails along with one of the best BBQ’d rib dinners you’ve ever had … along with potatoes, and a vegetable – for only $4.99. She won’t let you go home hungry. Bingo in the restaurant twice weekly. Check the ad.”
In the Northwest Fountain newspaper, April 1982 an article “Being straight in a gay bar..or ‘Ohhh my god, that's my mother!” by Ralph Andre, “Oh my God, that’s my mother!” So said one of Loretta’s daughters when she first saw Chuckles’ 1810 Restaurant and Lounge ad in the NW Fountain advertising the bars’ early morning “Loretta’s Thigh Openers.” So – what is Loretta, a straight mother of seven, doing working in a gay bar, and how does she cope with it? “I worked here when the place was a straight neighborhood cocktail lounge. I think I was part of the inventory when the new gay owner took over about two years ago. Rumors were that it would go gay and I figured, ‘what the hell?’ being the type of person I am – curious – I’ll just stay and see what happens.” Loretta found out later that the original play was to use her for about two weeks to help in the transition and then replace her. After two weeks, however, they asked her to stay on.” [larger article on page 13A – NW Fountain, April 1982]
MORE HISTORY COMING SOON
1810 NW Lovejoy
Years: 1981 [per October 1982 ad in Cascade Voice] – 1983
Damron’s has it listed to 1988 but believe it should say Silent Partners
An article in the Cascade Voice newspaper, November 12, 1982, Thursday Night – October 21, 1982: “Soon there was a wall of smoke throughout the entire restaurant….the owner entered the restaurant to discover smoke and soot covering everything from floor to ceiling. Fireman left…over the next few ours, the restaurant was scrubbed from top to bototm…come Friday morning at 9 am the second anniversary started without the full view of the restaurnt. .at 9m Friday night…things were back to normal.” [quick summary of a fire at Chuckles on October 21, 1982]
Per book A Curious and Peculiar People, page 199, “replaced Rosins…with a bar and floorshow with dancing boys as well as quieter restaurant.” And Page 230, “Chuckles opened in the former Rosin’s in Uptown, often displaying original artwork by gay artists…”
November 1983 issue of the Cascade Voice newspaper announced that the owner of Chuckle’s was found deceased in his home on October 6, 1983.
citations & references:
Cited in the Cascade Voice Newspaper – October 1982 under Taverns-Lounges also an ad on page 47 that says, “Chuckles Second Year of Love – Joy (1810 Northwest and Laughter)”
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1982 (M) (R – restaurant) (Liquor)
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1984 (M) (R – restaurant) (Liquor)
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1985 (M) (R – restaurant) (Liquor)
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1986 (M) (R – restaurant) (Liquor)
Not Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1987-1989