LGBTQ+ bars across the U.S., down 45% from 2002 to 2023, according to a report. But in New York City, the bars are thriving, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the city had 36 LGBTQ+ bars. Now, it has at least 48.
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023.New Jersey native Nikke Alleyne crossed a personal threshold one night in 2008, when she and a group of friends entered the doors of La Escuelita, a popular LGBTQ+ Latin club in Manhattan.“I felt tingly inside,” said Alleyne, now the co-owner of The Bush, a new lesbian bar that opened in Brooklyn in late April. “I felt so safe and so seen.
He says it's unusual for a city to have maintained its LGBTQ+ bars, never mind seeing an increase. The pandemic hurt LGBTQ+ bars across the country, but the venues had been in decline for years. Mattson says many people have blamed dating apps, where people can connect online, often for free, instead of meeting in person and spending money on drinks. Others say the mainstream acceptance of LGBTQ+ people has made queer spaces obsolete.
As of early 2021, only three widely known lesbian bars were open in New York City: Henrietta Hudson, Cubbyhole and Ginger's Bar. Nationwide, the decline has been more stark: Only 27 are still in business, down from at least 206 in 1987, according toAlleyne founded The Bush with business partner Justine LaViolette in April. Being the co-owner of the venue is important to her, Alleyne said, because historically, “Black dykes” have not owned the lesbian bars in New York City.
When restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced Cubbyhole to close in March 2020, Meninchino said she came to realize how important the bar was to the LGBTQ+ community. “New York City bars were some of the most successful at crowdfunding during pandemic,” he said. “So, even as New York City bars are pressed by gentrification, some of those same forces also allowed them to tap more financial resources to survive the pandemic.”
Julius’, a two-minute walk away from Stonewall, is one of the oldest continuously run gay bars in New York City. In 1966, three years before the Stonewall uprising, three young men in 1966 went to have a drink at Julius’ and changed history.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Actress Alfre Woodard honored by New York Urban League at annual gala - New York Amsterdam NewsThe New York Urban League (NYUL) holds its 57th Frederick Douglass Awards Gala earlier this month where actress, activist and producer Alfre Woodard was among the honorees.
Read more »
Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet’s ‘Camp Pride’ Event Creates Summer Camp ExperienceIn true aliceandolivia fashion, Stacey Bendet hosted an over-the-top fifth annual Pride event with a “Camp Pride” theme.
Read more »
New York Blood Center using new technology to try to lure younger blood donorsWednesday is World Blood Donor Day, and centers across the country are recruiting new blood. The number of donors under the age of 30 has declined nearly 33% in the past decade, so blood centers are trying something a little different.
Read more »
Federal judge to reconsider takeover of New York City's notorious Rikers Island jail - New York Amsterdam NewsA federal judge is once again weighing a takeover of New York City’s troubled Rikers Island jail complex, describing her faith in its leadership as “shaken” following recent reports of violence, gruesome injuries and a lack of cooperation that has thwarted court oversight.
Read more »