However, both she and Rose pointed out lesbian bars are inclusive of the rest of the LGBTQ community. What makes an establishment uniquely lesbian is that it caters to and prioritizes queer women, Street further explained. “A lot of things that we took for granted once they were removed from us during COVID, we realized we needed them even more than we thought we did, and so that’s how The Lesbian Bar Project came to life as well, because we wanted a call to action.” “When the pandemic started, we’re both filmmakers, and the film industry shut down,” Street said. To raise awareness for these remaining businesses, they put together a public service announcement and started an online fundraiser, which brought in $117,000 in 28 days. The Lesbian Bar Projectĭuring the height of the pandemic last year, Erica Rose and Elina Street created The Lesbian Bar Project after their extensive research uncovered that only 21 lesbian bars are still open in the U.S. The number of queer establishments, however, has dwindled across the country, which one national effort revealed clearly. Sellers Underground announced in December last year it would close its doors for good, stating “COVID-19 capacity restrictions have made it impossible for us to continue.” Two doors down, though, the Neon Grotto recently flipped on its brightly-colored lights and began welcoming in customers for drinks and dancing. In Austin alone, the popular LGBTQ scene on Fourth Street downtown lost one gay bar and gained another during the pandemic. For those reasons, people are eager to go out again and celebrate, and businesses catering to the LGBTQ community are ready to welcome them back after a particularly rough year. What we loved most about Bernadette’s…its BYOB.AUSTIN (KXAN) - The start of Pride Month comes just as encouraging COVID-19 trends mean fewer safety restrictions. Not pretentious at all, this bar has an amazing outdoor space for when the weather is nice, and plenty of dancing space to to do the Dosey Doe! Rusty’s 405 E 7th St Austin, TX 78701įor all you Austin hipsters, Bernadette’s is a little piece of the East Village right in east Austin. When in Texas, do as the Texans do! We went to Rusty’s for some good ol’ country fun! The local country gay bar playing the latest hits in country music, as well as some vintage Reba! Rusty’s is a great spot for gay and gay friendly people.
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If I am going to Austin, I am looking for a big burly man! I found him, at the Iron Bear, obviously! Austin’s premiere bear bar, although small, is guaranteed to be filled with hot, beefy boys! Fun and cheap bear busts, and wicked strong drinks the rest of the time! Iron Bear 121 W 8th St Austin, TX 78701 For a Tuesday night, we danced till we dropped!!! Rain 217B W 4th St Austin, TX 78799 We made it just in time for their “Hey Cupcake” event on the last Tuesday of the month! They celebrate everyone’s birthday that month and give them “employee pricing”, whatever that means. Make it Rain!!! This little lounge on 4th street fits the description for small town, gay dance club. A frequent hub for Rupaul Drag Race contestants, Oilcan Harry’s comes highly recommended!! Oilcan Harry’s 211 W 4th St Austin, TX 78701 Friday and Saturday’s best for dancing, and Sundays come in for the $1 mimomsas. If not for the great music and cheap drinks, then Dane the bartender is reason enough to visit Oilcan Harry’s! This staple in the gay nightlife of Austin has specials 7 days a week.
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They say two things come out of Texas steers and queers! I traveled to Austin to keep it weird and check out the gay bars.