Per article in the newspaper Northwest Gay Review, June 1977 written by W Holman “A Gay History – lest it be forgotten” sheds may stories on various bars, “The Fiddler’s Three was closer to town. Then, as now, it was one of Portland’s focal points. Erland of Pruit fame, tended bar and produced some of the most magnificent meals even assembled between two slabs of starch – plain or toasted.”

Per the GLAPN - A Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: A Century of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Historic Sites June 1999: 728 S.W. Ninth Ave. Roman Wydra opened this popular gay watering hole in January 1969, and by August 1971 it had passed to his lover and business partner Steve Suss whose magical touch seemed to transform it. Suss’ attempts to connect this tavern with his adjoining Rafter’s was rebuffed by Mayor Terry Schrunk and city council man Frank Ivancie who consistently fought licensing his bars. Schrunk was afraid of the reputation that Portland was getting, and Ivancie had an inn dislike for the gay liberation movement and everything it stood for-this despite the fact that Ivancie’s own sons were often patronizing the very bars that their father had so desperately tried to close down. Despite the city council’s opposition to licensing gay bars in the 1960’s and 70’s (local jurisdictions could only recommend) the Oregon Liquor Control Commission continually renewed their licenses fearing a test case in court.