The Honey Dew

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The Honey Dew Coffee Shop was one of a small chain of diners in the Ottawa area. The one on Rideau was a hangout for gays in the 50s and 60s due to its closeness to cruising areas, notably Mackenzie Avenue and Major's Hill Park.

Paul Fournier, aka Peaches Latour, remembers the Honey Dew well. He recounts how it was one of the few spaces that obvious gay men were tolerated in, perhaps because the women working in the kitchen were sympathetic, or maybe because at night there just wasn't much traffic anyway.

The décor was classic 50s with booths and orange-painted walls. The large windows looked out onto Rideau and you could see down Mackenzie to watch the action. The building where the Honey Dew was located is long gone now, but it lives in the memories of those who filled the booths in the wee hours of night. 

If you know more details about this place, please email info@bankstreet.ca to share dates, facts, images or more.