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Image 1 of 1: In 1971 Jerry Peek opened Nashville’s first drag bar, Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. In 1972, he rented out the second floor to the Metropolitan Community Church. Peek started the Miss Gay America Pageant in 1972, and contestants from across the country came to Music City. Norma Kristie, the inaugural pageant winner, purchased the pageant rights from Peek in 1975 and ran the pageant until 2005. The Miss Gay America Pageant continues to this day. On May 31, 1973, Watch Your Hat and Coat caught fire. The cause was never determined, but many suspected arson as a result of anti-gay violence which was taking place across America. Peek moved his drag shows to the Embers Cabaret Room at 210 Printers Alley.
In 1971 Jerry Peek opened Nashville’s first drag bar, Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. In 1972, he rented out the second floor to the Metropolitan Community Church. Peek started the Miss Gay America Pageant in 1972, and contestants from across the country came to Music City. Norma Kristie, the inaugural pageant winner, purchased the pageant rights from Peek in 1975 and ran the pageant until 2005. The Miss Gay America Pageant continues to this day. On May 31, 1973, Watch Your Hat and Coat caught fire. The cause was never determined, but many suspected arson as a result of anti-gay violence which was taking place across America. Peek moved his drag shows to the Embers Cabaret Room at 210 Printers Alley.

In 1971 Jerry Peek opened Nashville’s first drag bar, Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. In 1972, he rented out the second floor to the Metropolitan Community Church. Peek started the Miss Gay America Pageant in 1972, and contestants from across the country came to Music City. Norma Kristie, the inaugural pageant winner, purchased the pageant rights from Peek in 1975 and ran the pageant until 2005. The Miss Gay America Pageant continues to this day. On May 31, 1973, Watch Your Hat and Coat caught fire. The cause was never determined, but many suspected arson as a result of anti-gay violence which was taking place across America. Peek moved his drag shows to the Embers Cabaret Room at 210 Printers Alley.

Watch Your Hat and Coat

36.163084, -86.775949

Description

In 1971 Jerry Peek opened Nashville’s first drag bar, Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. In 1972, he rented out the second floor to the Metropolitan Community Church. Peek started the Miss Gay America Pageant in 1972, and contestants from across the country came to Music City. Norma Kristie, the inaugural pageant winner, purchased the pageant rights from Peek in 1975 and ran the pageant until 2005. The Miss Gay America Pageant continues to this day. On May 31, 1973, Watch Your Hat and Coat caught fire. The cause was never determined, but many suspected arson as a result of anti-gay violence which was taking place across America. Peek moved his drag shows to the Embers Cabaret Room at 210 Printers Alley.

Title Watch Your Hat and Coat
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Kayleigh Whitman, Nashville Sites Staff, 2023
Date 1971; 1973
Address 139 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203
Type Former Site of Building
Coverage Area 1
Source Jerry Peek, owner
Contributor Metropolitan Community Church; Miss Gay America Pageant
Subject Businesses; Downtown; Entertainment; Post-World War II; Sexuality; LGBTQ
Keywords Bars, Buildings, Gay Bars, Drag Performance, Watch Your Hat and Coat
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0