Gay Bar History: Hotbod’s Desert Dance Palace
- February 25th, 2010
- By Mark (Admin)
- Write comment
Phoenix, AZ
HOTBOD’S ABOUND
Attitude Vol. 1, Issue 8,
August 26, 1983
Thursday Mens Night
Phoenix - Was there anyone in Phoenix who was not at Hotbod’s last Thurdsay nite for their third anniversary? Judging by the vacuum packed and sealed dance floor we can only answer no. The energy level was at a peak not seen in Phoenix since the old days of His Co. Disco. The good vibrations flowed as freely as the traditional champagne fountain. We haven’t seen as many beautiful people in one place in a long time. A few more nights like that and we’ll be ready to sell the paper and move into Hotbod’s.
Dance
- - District or Area: Central Phoenix
- - Owners: ?
- - Dates of Operation: 1980 – 1986
- - Previous Incarnations: Unknown
- - Later Incarnations: Bulk
- - Some images and / or text provided by: Observer & M. Kouts
Hotbod's Desert Dance Palace
- - Do you remember this establishment?
- - Did you / have you owned or managed this business?
- - Please contribute your story or corrections to our shared history by posting today
Hotbod’s Untimely Death
Christopher McPherson, Tucson Observer
Issue 110, August 27, 1986
Hotbod's Disco Neon Stars
If you weren’t at the new TOMMY’s beer-bust last night (Aug. 18, 1986) you weren’t one of the ‘in’ crowd. TOMMY’s — Located at 921 West Camelback Road in Phoenix — initiated a welcomed alternative to the otherwise dreary Monday nights many of us have had to suffer since the untimely death of Hotbod’s earlier this year.
Luckily for those of us who appreciate the best in dance music, HUBERT has come back from the closing of HB’s to practically flawless showing last night.
My First Gay Bar
Mark S. Suever, az | gays.com
It was right next to Liquor Wheel on Mcdowell, 3437 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix. It was an address I knew well.
Hotbod’s was an 80’s era disco/dance club, very young and trendy crowd. Hotbod’s will always hold a very special place in my heart since it was the first gay bar I had ever been to.
Hotbod's Neon Planets
I was so impressed with the squares on the dance floor flashing in sync with the music. Remember those rotating police lights that came down at each corner and the cocoa scented disco fog?
Of course what disco is complete without a disco ball. Hotbod’s had about three of varying sizes. The orbited dance-floor like planet, one with neon rings like Saturn.
DJ Hubert
One of the most awkward things at Hotbod’s for me was the erotic artwork throughout. Around the dance floor were semi-nude photgraphs of muscled men in Speedo’s, or a studly shirtless cop with mirrored sunglasses. How I wanted to just gawk at them, really take in their hotness. But for some silly reason I didn’t want anyone to catch me looking. “Uh, Hello? We’re in a GAY BAR!”
Hotbod’s is where I met my first “trick”. I didn’t even know what a trick was at the time! This guy Gary, the chicken hawk spotted me right away.
DJ Steve
I think my age made me a trinket of sorts, I didn’t mind. Invites behind the scenes made me feel like VIP. Hanging out with Donny and Hubert up in the DJ’s sky box. How I wanted everyone down on the floor to see me up there. How easily impressed I was.
I’m not sure of the details of its demise. Rumor was that they lost their dance license due to neighbors’ complaints. Another rumor was that Trinity Broadcasting two doors down had much to do with it.
After a brief stint as a straight latino club, the space re-opened as BULK. They had rearranged the whole place and the new configuration just didn’t work. Bulk didn’t last long. Currently I think the property houses Inventory Adjusters, Inc.
Hotbod's Dance Floor
If anyone knows of Hubert, Donnie’s or any other employee’s whereabouts, please send them my way. I’d like to catch up.
marky@azgays.comMark (Admin)http://azgays.com
