Posted by:
Done & Done
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Date: September 30, 2020 01:53PM
OMG The Sun Tavern. 1973. Changed my life. Never knew Joe but do know the face.
An excerpt from my story of a friend talking me into going to The Sun while still at BYU. I was scared to death.:
Heading toward the door, my nerves were seismic, the war in heaven apparently being reenacted in my stomach. What was I doing? What the hell did I think I was doing? The Sun Tavern down by the railroad station in Salt Lake City—the seedy part of town in those days. Everything, so far, matched my expectations. The roads were not maintained, the sidewalk was filthy, and the buildings were on the verge of being tagged for teardown. The few streetlamps were far away and dim from grimy glass. The sliver of a moon did little to make up the difference and barely allowed enough glow for us to be sure we had the right building. It was a location scout’s dream if the script called for a stabbing scene or abduction.
And then we walked through the well-worn doors, and the world turned on a dime, like surfacing the water after a cliff dive. The beat of the music was deafening, just as it should be, and everyone was dancing and talking and laughing. The men were all beautiful even before I could see their faces. The teeth and sparkly eyes and heads thrown back or leaning in formed a collage that rearranged my senses. I took this vision in panoramically, and as the raw honesty of this moment washed over me, I saw not one person sitting around hating himself, feeling ashamed. You can keep your God and Jesus flashing Joseph in the woods, because the Sun Tavern that night was more of a revelation than any holy personages glowing and hovering in the air would ever be.
Did you know I’m addicted to wine reviews? Oh, I think I did tell you earlier. It is kind of ironic, considering the first two years I went to the gay bar I only drank Cokes. This is my all-time favorite wine review. I still have the clipping from the New York Times and have always meant to frame it. These words by the Lee brothers capture it all for me and let me reel back in that first moment at the sun Tavern whenever I need to:
"In the glass the wine (an ancient Madeira) had a fudgy color with an olive green glint around the edge. It smelled slightly dusty and foreboding. With trepidation, we sipped: it slipped thinly between the lips and then— snap!—a big, full, brash wine raced for each corner of our palates, gushing oranges, golden raisins, brandied cherries, licorice, mint and maple sugar. an equally vibrant astringency set in, a curried oak and lemon sen- sation that lingered pleasantly for a full five minutes. We literally reeled at the surprise.
—Matt Lee and Ted Lee
Exactly how I felt that night--found my people. Made friends. Felt whole for the first time. Spent so many happy times there. Luckily I had no BYU parking sticker on my car and only found out later BYU security looked for them parked in the area.