How The Eagle became the ultimate gay fetish bar
With locations in cities like Berlin, London, and Toronto, the Eagle venues remain at the forefront of the fetish and kink scene.
The story begins in 1970s New York City, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community was just starting to find its voice after the Stonewall riots of 1969. Amid this social and political backdrop, the Eagle’s Nest, a leather and biker bar, opened its doors on West 21st Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood in 1970. Owned by Jack Modica, the Eagle's Nest quickly became a gathering spot for gay men who were drawn to the leather and BDSM subcultures.
At the time, leather culture was closely tied to rebellion, masculinity, and a pushback against mainstream gay culture, which was often seen as trying too hard to be socially acceptable. The Eagle’s Nest provided a space for gay men who embraced a rougher, hyper-masculine image. Leather jackets, boots, and fetish gear were the uniform, and it wasn’t just about the look—leather symbolized a lifestyle centered around power dynamics, dominance, and submission. For some leather devotees, the addition of a cigarette or cigar was a key part of the aesthetic.