Once upon a time, Halloween was a kids’ holiday.
In the past couple of decades, adults have adopted it too.
But the gang at the Brook was ahead of the curve.
This was Halloween 1980, at Westport’s famous gay bar. (Before its demolition in 2010, it was the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the country.)
(Photo courtesy of Jill Turner Odice)
Today, the Cedar Brook Café has been replaced by Patio.com.
And these Halloween revelers of yore are now AARP age.
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There’s a HISTORY here to be written, ya know, Dan. If not a musical with music & lyrics by oh-pick-a-few Staples graduates. Can we get Hugh Jackman as The Narrator? And did Paul ever make a visit?
Well, I did see Harvey Fierstein there once!
def an example (and a reason) desc westport, CT as ‘an usa suburb’ doesn’t ever quite fit 😉
A Camel smoker in the 70s, I was totally out and stopped at The Brook to grab a pack. Bouncer at the door asked me for $10 bucks. I told him I was just going to buy a pack of cigarettes. 🤣Haha said he “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that line? Gimme the ten and if you come back out shortly with a pack of Camels, I’ll return your the dollars. DEAL!
Place was jumping. I had to hit the bar to get a handful of quarters. I was introduced to a number of friendlies weaved my way through the dance floor and flashed my Camels to the smiling bouncer who already had the ten in his hand. “I believed ya, but that’s the drill.”
My claim to fame: “Oh sure, I’ve been to THE BROOK!”
🙏🇺🇸
I worked the door many nights at The Brook in the 70’s and 80’s (WPD) it was always a hoot. But Halloween went to a whole other level! Joe and Paul Wish were awesome to us. And Elsie behind the bar was a show.
Sorry Joe and Paul Kish..
Across the street from THE BROOK was Crazy Vins an “upscale” strip joint.
The Brook and the crazies folks all met at the diner at 2AM. It was very peaceful cause 2 State Troopers were there from the station across the street having coffee ✌️
What a surprise to see my photo ! Boy has life changed since those days…it doesn’t seem like it’s been 45 years! Happy Halloween Westport.