Upon our request, DJ Mark MacDonald and bartender Marty Klein agreed to take us back to Tropicana Avenue and Spencer Street in 1987, when a bar named Looney’s would close its doors and in its place the iconic LGBT venue Goodtimes would rise. 

Goodtimes as the beloved gay bar we knew it as was originally owned and operated by life partners Richard Acamo and Don DeFore, who bought the space from Jeff Kesar. Jeff had been operating the venue as a straight bar. Don would hire Mark as Goodtimes’ very first DJ, though the gig was short lived – Mark recalls having no choice but to call Metro, who temporarily shut down the club, after several failed attempts at getting his hijacked equipment back from one of Don’s friends who assumed the position.  

During the summer of 1988, a fire at Gipsy nightclub would make Goodtimes the new interim hotspot for dancing.

After Richard fell ill and passed away, Don died in an apparent suicide. Goodtimes then transferred back to its original owner, Jeff, by default and from 1997 to 2013 Marty would work again as a bartender at Goodtimes after briefly having bartended for Don in the late ‘80s. 

One legacy Don and Richard left the club with was Monday night’s liquor bust. It would reinvent LGBT nightlife in Las Vegas and quickly became an LGBT local Las Vegas tradition. 

Escape Lounge was also owned by Jeff and it too would become an LGBT venue.

After a long run and great success, the businesses were eventually sold. Escape Lounge became The Phoenix Bar & Lounge and Goodtimes would continue to operate under new ownership, while still using the Goodtimes brand.

As of late, the 4,500-square-foot venue had been home to Las Vegas’ premier Latin night every Saturday and had seen major renovations by its new owners.

The venue located at 1775 E Tropicana Ave. #1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 had once shared its shopping center with the Liberace Museum, which closed its doors on Oct. 17, 2010.

After nearly 30 years, Goodtimes closed on Thursday, Dec. 22. 

The following message was released by Barbara De La O, a Goodtimes entertainer and actress:

“It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Goodtimes nightclub, where for 6 years I worked being part of the show and developing myself professionally.

In this legendary gay nightclub, the Latinx community has enjoyed very memorable moments and I know we will all miss it greatly.

Many thanks to our manager Diana Pontrelli who worked so hard and struggled to sustain the nightclub until the last moment, making it a vital part of the Latino community.

The bartenders, DJ’s, drag queens and dancers became [an] important part of my life, since they were a great support in my time at this wonderful club. I am extremely saddened to know that all those beautiful moments are gone forever now that the doors have closed.

I am very grateful to the general public for all the support given to us every weekend and I can assure you that I will fight to continue our tradition in gay Vegas.

I would like to mention in this statement that our legendary club Goodtimes was not closed due to any form of discrimination. It closed due to an increase of the monthly rent by the landlord of its physical location. [The] owners and management of the Goodtimes bar and club were always happy to give us a place to have a good time.

Once again thanks to the whole community and hopefully soon we will announce where our next Latinx home will be.”