Ms. Purdy’s

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Type: Queer Historic Place
Address: 226 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Get directions

This was the first location of Ms. Purdy’s Women’s Bar, which opened in 1984. It was located in the historic MacDonald Block. Ms. Purdy’s was a Lesbian bar and meeting place, which was almost exclusively for women, but men were allowed in for concerts. It moved to a new location in 1990.

Sources:
* http://heritagewinnipeg.blogspot.com/2015/09/heritage-on-main-macdonald-and-fortune.html
* http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/commercialhotel.shtml

Fun Facts

Even though many queer folks were able to feel safe in designated spaces in the 80’s, this was mainly only the case for white, cisgender gay men and lesbians. Watch this clip to see what it was like for some folks to be gay and Black in the 80’s in Winnipeg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EdHmZ1xRGc&t=42s&ab_channel=UniversityofManitobaArchives%26SpecialCollections

Location

226 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Get directions

Nearby Places

Gio’s

Winnipeg, Manitoba
This was the final location of Giovanni’s Room, the longest running gay bar in Winnipeg.
View Place | Get Directions

Winnipeg Union Station

Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Winnipeg Station was originally constructed in 1911 with a major renovation completed …
View Place | Get Directions

Upper Fort Garry

Winnipeg, Manitoba
The 5th European trading post, at the junction of the Red & Assiniboine Rivers
View Place | Get Directions

Forts Rouge, Garry and Gibraltar National Historic Site

Winnipeg, Manitoba
The only original surviving above-ground element is the north gate of Fort Garry
View Place | Get Directions

Popular VisitLists Including "Ms. Purdy’s"

Queering the Historic Places Days

Edmonton, Alberta to Halifax, Nova Scotia 30 places
A list of places that tell Queer histories of resistance, celebration and community.
View VisitList