572 Castro Street
San Francisco, California 94114
(415) 864-2262
SwirlOnCastro.com
Status: LGBT/Mixed Wine Bar/Liquor Store
In Their Own Words: With 300 selections of wine, Jerry and his staff have assembled a strong edit of international, eclectic wines that spotlight lesser-known grapes and regions from sustainable, family owned wineries. The lineup features selections from California, Spain, Argentina, France and Italy. Swirl on Castro features a great selection of Belgian style beers, as well as a strong selection of artisan spirits from around the world. The wine bar is open nightly, with a selection of 20 wines by the taste or glass.
History
Summary
| Name | Dates of Operation |
| Swirl | 2005 – present |
Details
Swirl is located at a spot that has been a liquor store for decades – and were it not for its regular wine tasting events and a wine bar on the premises whenever they’re open, we’d probably continue to consider it a liquor store rather than a quasi-bar.
When Harvey Milk and Scott Smith opened Castro Camera directly across the street, Swirl was then a standard liquor store called McConnely’s. In Gus Van Sant’s film Milk, Swirl’s façade was redone to once again have McConnely’s red awning for an important scene showing how gays were transforming the Castro – and improving business at the same time. Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black shows an exchange between McConnely and Milk, with McConnely telling him that the camera store will soon be shut down because of having gay owners.
“There’s Man’s Law and there’s God’s Law in this neighborhood,” McConnely’s character says. “And in this city, the San Francisco Police Force is happy to enforce either.”
The film later shows Milk poking his head into the liquor store, now jammed with men – many shirtless – buying alcohol, asking McConnely, “How’s business?”
“Fine, Harvey,” McConnely says.
Fears of gays driving down property values and destroying local businesses proved to be unfounded.
572 Castro Street became Swirl in 2005 when it was purchased by Jerry Cooper and Christopher Von Laufen, who were married in October of 2013 after being together for about 25 years. Though bottles of alcohol line the walls, Swirl in no way resembles McConnely’s. No neon signs or Budweiser posters adorn the windows. Instead, the establishment is clean, well-lighted, with a number of Certified Specialists of Wine (CSW) on staff.
Swirl’s wine bar is always open when the business is, offering wine tastings of any three of their rotating 20 offerings. They also host special events with appearances with local vintners and other wine celebrities.
Sources
“Milk (2008),” Internet Movie Database.
Swirl on Castro, accessed September 18, 2014.
Location
476 Castro Street, San Francisco
