Poker Cards | Vintage Gay Bar | The Dash - San Francisco

A tribute to The Dash, one of San Francisco’s earliest known gay gathering spots, this deck celebrates the hidden yet resilient LGBTQ+ history of the early 20th century. A symbol of secrecy, liberation, and the thrill of finding community in a world that sought to erase it, this deck honors the legacy of queer spaces that paved the way for today’s LGBTQ+ rights.

A Glimpse into History: The Dash (1908, San Francisco)

Long before the modern gay rights movement, The Dash was a discreet yet lively space where queer men found solace, romance, and camaraderie in the underground bars of early 1900s San Francisco. Operating in a time of extreme societal repression, The Dash is rumored to have been a gathering place where coded language, subtle glances, and quick dashes into backrooms kept its patrons safe from persecution.

Features & Symbolism

• Vintage Runner with a Rainbow Scarf – Inspired by Greek messenger gods and Mercury, symbolizing the secrecy and quick escapes that defined gay nightlife at the time.
• Bold 1908 Typography – A nod to the era in which The Dash flourished, making it one of the earliest recorded gay-friendly spaces in San Francisco.
• $1 Booths Banner – A reference to the legendary "private booths" rumored to have been inside The Dash, where men could meet away from prying eyes.
• San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ Legacy – Long before the Castro became a beacon of queer rights, places like The Dash quietly nurtured the LGBTQ+ community.

A Collector’s Deck for Those Who Play Boldly

• Premium Card Stock – Designed for smooth handling and lasting quality.
• LGBTQ+ History in Focus – A conversation piece that connects past and present generations of queer resilience.
• A Celebration of Hidden Histories – For those who value the lost stories of LGBTQ+ spaces that existed before Stonewall.

For the Ones Who’ve Always Been Here

Queer history did not begin with pride parades—it began in hidden places like The Dash, where love and community endured despite the risks. This deck is a tribute to those who came before us, who whispered, danced, and dared to live boldly.

The Dash may be gone, but its legacy lives on.