Earlier this week I published my post, Boxers to open in Philadelphia. In that post I asked the owners to consider Boston should they continue to expand. Boston’s steady loss of LGBT centered businesses and in particular bars is not unique, but it just seems to be more problematic here where gay bar options are quickly dwindling to nil.
I would really like to see Boston have more gay bars. I don’t mean gay friendly bars; I don’t mean bars that are gay one or two nights a week; I mean a legitimate gay bar that is open 7-days a week and focused on serving Boston’s gay community; not bachelorette parties. More than 250,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender call Massachusetts is home. The overwhelming majority of those live in Boston and surrounding communities. One would think that there is a business opportunity here, right?
What are your thoughts?
BosGuy 
I think Boston can support another gay bar. A friend of mine went to the Alley a couple of weeks ago and stood in line for almost an hour. There are typically lines outside Trophy Room and Club Cafe on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Another true gay bar would be supported but to the uninitiated that means gays … leave your straight girl friends at home. The fraternity of a gay bar has been comprised and is part of the reason they close.
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The Internet, and apps like Grindr have changed the way people socialize… Or don’t. Even if you do find a bar to go to, everyone there is on their phones.
Also, Boston being the liberal bastion that it is, gays here have integrated themselves into the fabric of the city. They don’t need separate bars, as much as they did when it was the only way to meet people. As for New York, it’s literally 20 times the size of Boston, so of course it will have more bars. It also has 10 times as many tourists coming in so there’s always a demand for places to go. If Boston COULD support another bar, it needs to be a place where EVERYONE is welcome: young, old, male, female, non-binary, all races, bears, twinks, whatever. Then it might succeed.
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WOW I’ve been a “full time” Boston resident since 1969, and moved to the “burbs in 2005, but still spend time in town. And I’ve seen Boston go from an easy 2 dozen bars to the small numbers today. The “plague” of the 80 – 90 era pushed many to the brink of social & financial ruin (from my perspective). The move to out of the city to neighboring areas and gentrification of city neighborhoods has made the gay community welcome (and business people take note of who is hitting the cash register)
Can we support another gay bar. Absolutely. Where is another question!
Unless you already are proprietor of the space, and have deep pockets for the lawyer, and the liquor licenses, I wish you good luck.
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Yes, yes, yes! When I visit Chicago and see how busy 9 out 10 10 Boystown bars are, it makes me realize if you keep it fresh, new, and entertaining the crowds WILL come. This coming from a guy who has seen every gay bar come and go since 1986 in Boston and do feel it could work and in a BIG way!
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I am with Stan. I don’t live near the City and would love to have a gay bar near me that I can go to. There are more options than the big city.
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BG: I don’t know if I’d call dBar as “self-identified” anymore. They’ve been pushing themselves as a neighborhood bar more and more. And I’ll bet Fritz doesn’t come back as gay after their redo. Club Cafe kinda feels like it’s veering in that direction. at least for their restaurant.
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There need to be more “gay” bars out here in the suburbs. Gay people do live out here too! Going into the city to a bar or club means you can’t drink for fear of getting a DUI on the way home.
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7-days a week gay bars: Jacques, Pi Alley, Machine/Ramrod, Club Cafe, Paradise, dBar, Eagle, Milky Way???… Am I leaving any out guys? That is a total of 8 self-identified ‘gay bars’ in all of Boston & Cambridge.
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How many gay bars/clubs does Boston have?
I live in Hell’s Kitchen/NYC and there are 14 bars/clubs in my neighborhood alone (10 street/ 2 avenue radius).
Having said that, the number of gay bars in Chelsea, the West Village and East Village continue to decrease. I was sad to see Splash close – it opened right as I came out and also reminded me of that special time in my life.
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I don’t think it can.
Yes, a big part of it is the social scene moving online, but isn’t the fact that sexual preference is becoming more and more acceptable and integrated? Even gay neighborhoods are are losing their exclusivity. Personally, I’d love to have some gay bars around too, but then that’s what I grew up with.
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