H.G. Roosters

H.G. Rooster's is a landmark gay bar in West Palm Beach, Florida. It opened under that name in April 1984, at the height of the AIDS crisis, and became far more than a place to drink. It served as a refuge, a support hub, and a fundraising engine for a community facing illness and stigma. Often described as Florida's longest-running gay bar, it was recognized by the city's Historic Preservation Board as a historic place, a rare honor for an LGBTQ+ venue. A fire forced it to close in 2020, and after a five-year rebuild it reopened in 2025. Rooster's reflects how gay bars anchor community life well beyond big coastal cities.