It is unique for welcoming a Catholic congregation on Sunday mornings just as warmly as it does its regular evening bar patrons. Matthew’s Tavern has undergone multiple transformations throughout the history of the building on North Mills Avenue in Orlando. However, the impact of historic LGBTQ+ venues on both gay and Central Florida history should not be understated. Due to increased acceptance, the gay nightlife scene, as it was once known, has begun to diminish.
Partying, dancing, and drinking provided an escape from daily life that for some was fraught with tension in a culture that typically did not accept their authentic selves. For many decades, individuals often found solace and solidarity in certain bars and nightclubs where they could connect with one another without fear.
Orlando has long played host to a vibrant gay community. This is part three of a three-part blog series in which we’ll share experiences of a few popular Central Florida gay bars through the lens of oral histories in the collection of the Orange County Regional History Center. Matthew’s Tavern in Orlando, August 2021.Ģ021 Oral History Intern, University of South Carolina
