Is that the place you like with all the shit on the walls?

From the owner.  "It is not a gay bar, it is not a straight bar, it is an everybody bar, just like it has been for the past 15 years."

Yeah, it's got all that goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks.  What's that place called?

"Just like it has been for the last 15 years"  Hmmm...I am pretty sure it happily identified as a gay bar for 13 of those.  There seem to be new owners, but the staff is pretty much the same and the clientele is the same.  It hasn't been a hopping fun place to be in a long time.  That I know for sure.

Ironic, I respect you immensely. I can give you a history lesson on why there were/are gay bars. Back in the day it was for safety. All organizing and politicking happened in the gay bar. Gay people met other gay people. Check out the film The Main by Julie Casper-Roth. It basically covers your exact question. With the times changing and the interwebs, gay bars are struggling, but there is still a need for them. Some folks have nowhere to go on the holidays. There's always a potluck at the Main Club!

For the record, I go anywhere I fucking care to, but it was a mere 10 years ago that two friends and I were jumped for being gay after leaving the Palace Bar on Tower. I also got attacked outside of J.T.'s by a lesbian about 5 years ago. There has been many times I've been unsafe and threatened. Not so much lately, but I pass for a man!

The documentary The Main will be showing at Zinema 2 for free on Art Night during Duluth Superior Pride Festival weekend. I believe it's Friday.

...an alligator wearing sunglasses? now I've seen 
everything...

And what about Lady Vi's? Is it remodeled, or is it just Lamplighter 2.0?

Greg, what a silly thing to say.  You don't need a gay ID.  All you need to know is the secret gay handshake.

Gay bars might be one of the few places one doesn't get that menacing local 'stink eye' treatment. You know, like with the dirty Bronson harmonica in the background. I like the idea of a bar that is for everyone, there's less exclusivity in a setting such as this. How are the burgers? Can't be any worse than the Anchor. Which brings me to this point, I want to commend the leadership of the Rex along these lines, and for tearing up that nasty carpet.  It's still a little musty, but now I know it's just cause it's the basement.

If my memory serves me right, there was a place in downtown Duluth for awhile with the same name.  Maybe in the early eighties?  Does anyone else remember such a place?