Originally located at 515 S. Broadway in Green Bay, the Napalese Lounge and Grille opened its doors in 1982 and has been open for more than 40 years. In 2000, the business moved away from its S. Broadway building after receiving the message from the police and city of Green Bay that the bar was not welcome in the area, which was a rough neighborhood from the start. The bar sat across the street from an adult bookstore—something the police were not too excited about. Eventually, the City of Green Bay claimed eminent domain, and Napalese was kicked out of their space on Broadway.

Since 2000, the Napalese Lounge has operated out of 1351 Cedar Street in Green Bay. As part of the move, they took the original front door from S. Broadway, and it now serves as an interior door to access the space’s outdoor patio and remains an iconic piece of the business’s history. 

The move didn’t come without its own set of struggles. Shortly after moving to Cedar Street, harassment from anti-LGBTQ+ community members prompted the then-business owners to seal the front entrance. Bar patrons regularly experienced trash and water balloons being thrown at them, and fireworks being shot through the front door. For the next couple of decades, a side entrance was used to enter the Napalese Lounge and Grille.

New Ownership

In 2012, new owners Butch Pendergast and Stacy De Sotle purchased the establishment. Butch will be the first to tell you that business is not easy, and that it has its highs and lows. Things were flowing well for the first two years after the pandemic, but has settled into an unpredictable pattern once more in recent years. On some nights they experience increased activity, while other nights the bar sits almost empty without an apparent pattern.

When talking to Butch, he noted that over time, Napalese has become his way of giving back to the community. “Moreover, it’s a safe space to be who you are,” he said. But it’s not a money-making enterprise. Customers show their appreciation by coming to drag shows, community events, or for the weekly Friday Fish Fry. Napalese is a gathering place, and the staff takes pride in providing a space for folks.

Butch shared that keeping the Napalese Lounge and Grille open and running has been constantly on his mind since the closing of Milwaukee’s This Is It! in 2025. Nevertheless, it is a challenge when there is always a list of expensive upgrades and replacements that he will be incurring sooner rather than later. His current list includes a new beer tap, cooler, fridge, prep table, and fire system. When asked how the closing of This Is It! has affected him, Butch responded that, “The idea is terrifying that we wouldn’t be able to stay open, and so much more devastating for the community.” He says he focuses on business on the weekends to keep his sanity.

Outside of his co-ownership in the bar, he works fulltime as a jeweler—a career he has held for the last 35 years. Butch’s career as a jeweler has made continuing to provide Napalese as a gathering space possible. He sees it as a labor of love in providing the kind of space he wishes he had in his youth. In addition to working for 35 years as a jeweler, he has worked part-time in restaurants for most of his life.

Originally, it was his partner’s idea to purchase and run Napalese Lounge and Grille. Butch, having spent significant time working in the restaurant and bar business, was reluctant knowing how much work goes into owning a restaurant. But he now says that he wouldn’t give the Napalese up for anything. He credits his stance as a “hyperactive night owl” and his strong work ethic as the ingredients that have allowed him to be a good caretaker of the Napalese Lounge and Grille.

Making Memories

Reminiscing about his time at the Napalese so far, Butch says some of his favorite things about being an owner are the moments of connection that a place like Napalese provides for others. He says, “All you have to be is kind and accepting.” He considers it his job to ensure that no harm comes to the patrons in Napalese under his watchful eye. Ultimately, Butch just wants people to be able to be themselves and celebrate their differences. He enjoys providing spaces for all, including the trans community. In fact, the Bay Area Council of Gender Diversity (BACGD) uses Napalese as a monthly gathering space.

Butch is especially proud of the Napalese’s presence in Green Bay, and the connections made through the space. The UW-Green Bay archives department has met at the Napalese on numerous occasions to identify photographs and gather interviews of LGBTQ+ people, which preserves this knowledge for future generations. In fact, a portion of this history was featured in the “Telling Our Stories: LGBTQ+ Voices of Northeastern Wisconsin” exhibit, which was on display from February to November 2024 at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. The exhibit brought forth the history of spaces like the Napalese to new audiences while providing the opportunity to reflect for others. The Neville Public Museum exhibit would go onto win the prestigious Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) in June.

That same month, author Erik Piepenburg published his book, Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America’s Gay Restaurants. In the book, Piepenburg profiled diners that serve as a place of safety and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community, both past and present. Napalese Lounge and Grille was one of the restaurants profiled and has its own dedicated chapter. Butch expressed appreciation for being included in the book and prominently displays his personal hardcover copy behind the bar. Whenever a patron asks Butch about the book, he proudly shows them.

Piepenburg’s book is just one of the many memories displayed all over the space. In fact, most of the décor in the bar has some memory attached to it. In one spot, there is a whole slew of Golden Girls merchandise, all gifts for the Napalese left by patrons for Butch, a dedicated fan of the show. He keeps those items displayed for everyone to enjoy, noting that the décor helps make the lounge belong to everyone, as it helps the space take on a cozy, home-like atmosphere.

Mural & Door Re-Opening

On August 21, 2021, the local community gathered to celebrate the unveiling of a new mural by local artist Chue Lor located on the outside wall of the Napalese Lounge and Grille. The mural, sponsored by a number of local businesses, features images of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera with the phrase, “We Will Be Seen” in front of the Pride Progress flag.

In addition to the mural unveiling, the front door to the Napalese Lounge and Grille was reopened after being sealed for so many years. To mark this special occasion, representatives, including Green Bay City Mayor Eric Genrich, and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes gathered for a ceremony and celebration. The mural unveiling was an emotional day for Butch. He remembers climbing onto the roof of the Napalese to survey the crowd below. He was impressed by the love of the crowd clapping and cheering as a supportive community.

A Change of Heart

The police have not been known historically to be nice or caring to the LGBTQ+ community at Napalese, but that all changed with the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, in November, 2022. On that occasion, a gunman entered the LGBTQ+ nightclub killing five and leaving 19 additional wounded. Shortly after the shooting, the police in Green Bay appeared to have a change of heart. They stopped into the Napalese and informed them they were there to protect, and instructed the staff and patrons to call if they were needed. The police also came to Napalese Lounge and surveyed the layout of the bar to give the owners recommendations for where to install cameras. It was a complete turnaround and welcomed change for the Napalese. Other changes also soon came to the area of Main Street, including local businesses hanging Pride flags during June, along with city lampposts proudly displaying rainbow flags for Pride month. The neighborhood was indeed changing.

The Times, They Are A-Changin’

As Bob Dylan once sang, “The times, they are a-changin’,’’ and that holds true for the LGBTQ+ bar business. Ask any owner of such a bar and they will tell you of their ups and downs and the changes that they had to go through to make it. Until 2025, the Napalese held the title of “Wisconsin’s third oldest gay bar.” The oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ bar in Wisconsin was claimed by This Is It! in Milwaukee, which was founded by an ally named June Brehm to provide a place for her gay friends to gather. Over the years, numerous gay bars in the U.S. closed as they weathered many storms including the AIDS crisis, inflation, and the pandemic. Each hit made it even harder for businesses to survive, and many did not.

At one time, This Is It! was one of the 10 oldest gay bars in the U.S. When they closed, the title of “Oldest LGBTQ+ Wisconsin Bar” passed to the Cardinal Bar in Madison, which had been open since 1975.  At Napalese, the loss of This Is It! hit home as the realization that a staple Wisconsin queer gathering space was gone. After the initial shock, the understanding dawned that it was now up to Napalese to carry the title of second oldest LGBTQ+ Wisconsin bar, a feat the staff and the regulars do not take for granted.

When asked about a piece of advice or something he wanted others to be aware of, Butch didn’t hesitate to answer. He shared: “If you don’t want history to repeat itself, understand it. Have responsibility and stand up for something, or you will fall for anything. Be proud of who you are because other people put in the effort before you, so enjoy it.”

Plan a Visit to the Napalese!

The Napalese Lounge and Grille is open Tuesday through Sunday. It is a great place to meet with friends, grab a beverage, and enjoy some food. They are known for their weekly drag shows, drag bingo, and the Friday Fish Fry, among other tasty food offerings at the bar. This local gathering place is also lovingly known as “Naps” by the local regulars. Napalese proudly proclaims itself as a supporter of the 21+ LGBTQ+ community, local queer artists, musicians, performers, and for events/fundraisers and LGBTQ+ allies. Napalese also offers a full schedule of event offerings, including a cross dressing/transgender social monthly every first Thursday. The community is wanted and welcomed at Napalese Lounge and Grille. Please see additional pictures and learn more on their webpage: napalese.com.