40 Years Ago in PGN: July 29-Aug. 4, 2016

Bob Reynolds celebrates 25 years in A.C. LGBT scene

Adapted from reporting by PGN staff

In 1976, Bob Reynolds celebrated 25 years as a host at a half-dozen gay clubs in Atlantic City. The M&M lounge, which used to operate out of the Deville Hotel on Delaware Avenue, hosted a gala to celebrate Reynolds’ anniversary Aug. 1, 1976.

He also worked at Louise’s, the 500 Club, the Black Orchid, Dave Morgan’s Rendezvous and the Chester Lounge.

Reynolds told PGN he saw plenty of changes in Atlantic City’s LGBT scene throughout his career.

He said in the 1950s and ’60s, the scene was “very quite and dignified, very reserved.”

“Dancing was not very popular, people drank and talked and cruised. And there weren’t that many places to go.”

Reynolds said he noticed a change in 1967.

“The young crowds now love to dance and don’t drink so much,” he said. “Life suddenly seemed to burst right out of its seams … People swarm around like bees and they are very open and beautiful … When in the ’50s we used to sit and listen to Nina Simone at the Midtown on Pacific Avenue singing her blue love songs and the customers sat there all dressed up, sipping Bradley Alexanders and looking into each other’s eyes, it was a vastly different world than the whirling kaleidoscope we inhabit today.”

Deville Hotel remodels its sauna

Adapted from reporting by PGN staff

The Deville Hotel in Atlantic City completed extensive remodeling of its popular sauna bath in the summer of 1976.

The primary addition was several private rooms where patrons could take naps after sitting in the sauna. It follows the Finnish tradition of the baths.

The sauna renovations come on the heels of the owners redecorating the dance floor of the M&M lounge inside the hotel.

LGBT events were planned at the establishment throughout the summer of 1976, including the Lookalike Costume Ball, Mr. Atlantic City Contest and Leather Night. 

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