The Pier Photograph Collection

Dublin Core

Title

The Pier Photograph Collection

Description

Pier 9, at 1824 Half St. SW to the west of South Capitol St. at Buzzard’s Point, was DC’s second gay ‘super’ dance club (following the Plus A One, on 8th St. SE).

Opening in 1970, the Pier was the first club in this area and known for its two floors of bars and dance floors. Owners included Bill Bickford and Donn Culver. Innovative tabletop telephones allowed customers to talk between numbered tables without moving their drinks or leaving the table, a means of getting around local laws that forbade standing and drinking or moving with a drink.

A second floor dining area was called Piazza 9. In 1972, the Awards Club, an organization of female imper-sonators, began presenting shows at the Pier. In December 1972, the Pier was the site of a ‘reunion’ of the city’s main drag organizations which joined in 1973 to create the Academy Awards of Washington.

Collection Items

Unidentified man, possibly one of the owners or staff members of The Pier Club, leaning against the wall of The Pier Club near the Hollywood sign.

Unidentified man, possibly one of the owners or staff members of The Pier Club, standing on the dance floor of The Pier Club.

Unidentified man, possibly one of the owners or staff members of The Pier Club, sitting on top of one of the tables in the lounge area of The Pier Club.

Unidentified man, possibly one of the owners or staff members of The Pier Club, standing on the stairs leading to the upper level of The Pier Club.

Unidentified man, possibly one of the owners or staff members of The Pier Club, sitting in the loung area of The Pier Club.
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