Wild Side West

Wild Side West began in Oakland in 1962 as a defiant act of rebellion. At that time, it was illegal for women to work as bartenders in California, yet founders Pat Ramseyer and Nancy White ran the establishment openly with women serving every drink. They named their bar after the film Walk on the Wild Side, which featured a strong, independent female character that resonated with their own mission to create a safe harbor for the queer community.