The Bum Steer (Phoenix Gay Leather Bar/1970s–1990s)

The Bum Steer – Phoenix, AZ (1970s–1990s) Long before Phoenix’s skyline filled in, before corporate nightlife and curated patios, there was The Bum Steer — a rugged cornerstone of Arizona’s gay leather scene. Operating from the 1970s through the 1990s, The Bum Steer carved out space for bikers, leathermen, denim-and-boots regulars, and desert night wanderers who wanted something real. No velvet ropes. No pretense. Just a bar built on camaraderie, codes, and community. The name said it all — western grit with a wink. Inside: dark wood, bar lights low, pool tables worn in, patches and vests lining the room. Outside: desert heat. Inside: leather heat. The Bum Steer became a gathering place for Phoenix’s leather crowd at a time when those spaces were rare — especially outside coastal cities. It hosted runs, fundraisers, themed nights, and informal meetups that strengthened Arizona’s LGBTQ infrastructure long before mainstream recognition.