La Cuchara
Address: Cucharras St., between Tejon and Nevada
Related People: Donaciano Martinez
A Chicano bar that served almost exclusively straight customers. However, a group of butch Chicana lesbians were regulars there for many years in the 50's and 60's. They would slick their hair back and carry cigarette packs in their rolled up sleeves. They would bring their guitars in and sing in Spanish from the booth where they would gather, giving impromptu and informal performances for the bar's clientele.
Donaciano Martinez shares that their presence at the bar, where his mother worked, helped embolden him to come out to her. Their mutual respect helped assure him that she would take it well.
As a little boy in the 40's and 50's, Donaciano would sneak away from his grandparents home in the Conejos district, crossing multiple railroad tracks, to spend time there with his mother. This continued until his mother passed away when Donaciano was 20 years old. [1][2]
References
Donaciano Martinez, “Replies to Nico’s Questions,” personal communication, February 20, 2026. ↩︎
Donaciano Martinez. “Interview with Donaciano Martinez Part 1.” Interview by David Duffield. (Denver Public Library), Western History Department, April 25, 2012. https://lgbtqcolorado.cvlcollections.org/files/original/fbafc5a2a303d919a8600c5ace7c05b5.WMA. ↩︎