From then on, it would be a rollercoaster of ups and downs, filled with progress, failure, celebrations, and heartbreak in Miami LGBT history, leading to our current status as a gay mecca that attracts more than 1 million LGBT visitors a year. UPDATE: An earlier version of this post said Palace was 20 years old. Miami has had a gay nightlife scene as early as the 1930s. That notice has been reposted in full, below. Yesterday Palace posted a notice about the impending change to its Facebook wall for friends and family to read. And Palace’s drag shows were the inspiration for the classic movie ‘The Birdcage,’ with Nathan Lane and Robin Williams. Palace was where the iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace had breakfast the day he was murdered on the front steps of his nearby mansion, as he was walking home from the bar.
Palace’s drag shows are famed around the world. For one thing, Palace is an institution, having been around practically forever, always packed with locals and tourists up for some good old gay fun. The Palace, which is often just called ‘Palace’ by those who know it well, is legendary for many reasons. With an uncertain future ahead, the owners of Palace are currently looking for a new home. The Palace, a South Beach gay bar of legend, notoriety, debauchery, and giddy fun is closing its doors at its current Ocean Drive locale because its new landlord is renovating Palace’s home of 30 years and wants the bar out.
