Watch Last Call at Maud's

Last Call at Maud's is a documentary film released in 1993 that tells the story of the Maud's, one of the last lesbian bars in San Francisco. The movie is directed and produced by Paris Poirier and features interviews with patrons of the bar, including both regulars and first-timers, as well as the bar's owner, Rikki Streicher. The film is a unique insight into the experiences of lesbians in the late 20th century. While it's easy to forget that until relatively recently, homosexuality was illegal in many parts of America and heavily stigmatized in others, Last Call at Maud's serves as a reminder of the uphill battle the LGBTQ+ community still faces to this day. The Maud's was more than just a bar – it was a safe haven for many women who were afraid to reflect their true identities in mainstream society. The bar not only provided a place for the women to gather and socialize, but also a sense of solidarity and belonging.

The movie also delves into the history of lesbian bars in San Francisco, a city that has long been known as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. The film points to how these bars have been subject to harassment and persecution over the years. It’s a sad truth that while straight bars have been a crucial part of social life for centuries, gay and lesbian bars were subject to intense scrutiny and in some cases, shuttered by the authorities.

Despite the threats and dangers, the patrons of Maud's nevertheless created a vibrant subculture that offered many women the opportunity to live their lives authentically and without fear. The interviews conducted in the film provide a glimpse of what life was like for these women in the late 60s and 70s, when the Maud’s began to attract lesbians from all around the Bay Area. In particular, the movie focuses on the notion of “coming out”, showcasing how the bar provided a welcoming environment for women to embrace their sexuality, with its colorful decor and its array of figures — from drag queens to feminist activists to butch and femme types united by their queerness and outsider status.

One particularly poignant interview that stands out is with a woman who visited the Maud's regularly back in the day. She recounts how she spent years pretending to be straight, getting married and having kids, and generally living an oppressed life. However, as soon as she discovered the Maud's, she felt liberated and empowered and was able to finally embrace her true identity. The sense of liberation that the girls feel is palpable and it's clear that the Maud's was a place of extraordinary importance and significance to many of the people who spent time there. It may have been a crumbling old building, but it was often packed with beautiful, brave, and joyful human beings.

Last Call at Maud's isn't just a compelling look into a vanished world. It is also a much-needed piece of social history, illuminating a part of the LGBTQ+ experience that is too often overlooked or ignored. This, combined with the engaging interviews and the unique film style – a blend of vintage footage and contemporary interviews – make it a must-see documentary that stands the test of time.

Last Call at Maud's is a 1993 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.