A campaign to see that these doors were kept unlocked did succeed for a time. Active from 1984-1986, their goal was 'to examine the practices and policies of bars serving Philadelphias gay/lesbian community as they relate to the treatment and employment of women. Another serious concern was one of safety, as periodic examination of the fire escape doors on the upper floors found that they were at times chained and padlocked, creating a dangerous hazard in the event of fire. The Coalition on Lesbian-Gay Bar Policies was a grassroots organization made up of representatives from several of Philadelphia lesbian and gay organizations. The friendly staff serve a selection of craft beers and imported beers on tap. Popular with an older crowd, U Bar offers a laid-back atmosphere within an exposed brick setting. One was a 'dress code' that forbade wearing hats or open-toed shoes or high heels, the former ban aimed at excluding African Americans, many of whom were accustomed to wearing hats in that era, and the latter aimed at excluding women and male transvestites. Gay bar in Philadelphia’s lively Washington Square West. While it was popular and often crowded, there were times in the early 1970s when it was also the object of some protests and boycotting by members of the gay community for two particular reasons that I recall. It occupied three floors of a brick building that may originally have been a townhouse. The Allegro was perhaps the most popular gay bar in Center City.
