The Club 219, which for a while was THE largest and most popular gay dance club in Milwaukee, was eclipsed by La Cage, and that area (about 8 blocks to the south, around National Avenue) became the center of gay bars and activity. In the 1990's the area as a gay mecca lost ground, mostly due to the neighborhood. It was generally one of the more popular bars in the area, with people going back and forth between this bar and Club 219 (or Gary's, or Circus, or whatever name that bar was using at the time). During its years it had a few remodelings, but generally consisted of two rooms, and always had an active dance floor, good music, and a party atmosphere. The Phoenix was the southern anchor of an area of several gay bars in a 1 block area: also including C'est La Vie, Gary's/ Circus/ Club 219, and the BallGame to the north. Phoenix- History of Gay & Lesbian Life, Milwaukee WI- Businesses-Bars and Clubs History
