The Baltimore Eagle pays homage to the history of the leather and kink communities. When patrons of The Eagle’s Nest left New York City, they carried with them that sense of community and The Eagle’s Nest served as inspiration for new Eagle bars that began opening doors in cities like San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and even as far away as London. It was a “safe space” before that term became part of our vernacular. Amid the tension of homophobia in their everyday life, these men found a place of respite at The Eagle’s Nest. Inside, the walls were painted black, biker groups and sports clubs began holding meetings, and soon the place became a popular spot for traditionally masculine-presenting gay men. This is where the first Eagle bar was born. The streets are still smoldering from the Stonewall Riots, “gay rights” has become a movement, and an old longshoreman’s tavern named Eagle Open Kitchen has just closed its doors.
