One Queer Journey
|
A lesbian, a lesbian, and another lesbian walk into a bar...
That's not entirely true anymore. The lesbian bar of the 80s has changed. Most say for the better and some wistfully look back on the days of bolo ties and vests. In any event, there are only 21 of these establishments left in the US. There is a little wiggle room for lesbian pop-ups and woman owned bars which don't necessarily define themselves to one specific clientele. The lesbian bar project www.lesbianbarproject.com shined the light on this issue in the past year. I'm an LGBTQ photographer and I'm documenting the last 21 lesbian bars left in the US. Whenever you click on a bar's website you typically see a lot of dark spaces and flashed pictures of friends drinking and hugging. I wanted to change that up a little and focus on the actual humans hanging out and experiencing the new version of human bar. |
|
A League of Her Own: Washington, DC
The shy factor. A new friend at a new bar said that all lesbians are shy walking into a bar. Yea she's not wrong. I'm not saying that there aren't a whole 4 or 5 people who don't have anxiety going to a bar. There are and some of you are reading this right now. Kudos to you. I get the immediate "oh god, i don't know anyone and maybe I look weird" feeling when I first walk in any bar really ; it doesn't have to be a lesbian bar.
A League of Her Own makes it very easy to feel at home however. It is in the Adams Morgan section of DC on a street with a ton of pride flags and gay people. Its also attached to Pitchers Bar which helped ALOHO stay in business during Covid, according to the manager Ally. It's good to have friends during a pandemic.
This Sunday in DC afternoon, a few folks were waiting until 3 to go in ALOHO. Some were inside Pitchers just waiting to walk through the archway into the other side. As this was the first bar on my journey I took it as an auspicious sign that when I found the restrooms, there was also a sign on the EXIT door that said "magical." Ok, well lets do this then!
The Italy vs. England soccer game was on the tvs in the bar so there were people there for some drinking, some sports, some meeting new people and an annoying photographer who kept dragging people over to the "good light."
A beautiful bartender, Garnet, made their signature shot. I'm pretty sure it was called "Unclear" because it was , well, unclear. But delicious. I think it involved cherry vodka. Their energy ran the whole bar quite frankly. I watched them move effortlessly between customers and their bar tabs and posed for me as I kept asking. A clump of women came in to watch the game and kept telling horrifyingly bad dad jokes. and yet they were funny every time. I asked them who the lead singer would be if they were a band and they all pushed her forward and she immediately posed. There wasn't even a question.
As i was there, people kept sending other friends and co workers over to get their picture taken purely because they thought each other was beautiful. That was my favorite part. When the shy factor ends and friends happen.
A League of Her Own makes it very easy to feel at home however. It is in the Adams Morgan section of DC on a street with a ton of pride flags and gay people. Its also attached to Pitchers Bar which helped ALOHO stay in business during Covid, according to the manager Ally. It's good to have friends during a pandemic.
This Sunday in DC afternoon, a few folks were waiting until 3 to go in ALOHO. Some were inside Pitchers just waiting to walk through the archway into the other side. As this was the first bar on my journey I took it as an auspicious sign that when I found the restrooms, there was also a sign on the EXIT door that said "magical." Ok, well lets do this then!
The Italy vs. England soccer game was on the tvs in the bar so there were people there for some drinking, some sports, some meeting new people and an annoying photographer who kept dragging people over to the "good light."
A beautiful bartender, Garnet, made their signature shot. I'm pretty sure it was called "Unclear" because it was , well, unclear. But delicious. I think it involved cherry vodka. Their energy ran the whole bar quite frankly. I watched them move effortlessly between customers and their bar tabs and posed for me as I kept asking. A clump of women came in to watch the game and kept telling horrifyingly bad dad jokes. and yet they were funny every time. I asked them who the lead singer would be if they were a band and they all pushed her forward and she immediately posed. There wasn't even a question.
As i was there, people kept sending other friends and co workers over to get their picture taken purely because they thought each other was beautiful. That was my favorite part. When the shy factor ends and friends happen.
Slammers: Columbus, OH
The pizza is round but cut into squares. But it was SOOO good! It was called The Bobby after one of Slammer's bartenders. This bar is a long, narrow space with a beautiful outdoor patio area that is shared with the men's bar in the back. I was there on a Wednesday afternoon/evening. The bartenders here are so incredibly friendly and hilarious. When I asked if I could somehow take a big family photo of every human in the bar Deb ran out and gathered everyone. The patrons included a couple celebrating 35 years together with a lesbian bar tour, a woman who volunteers for the HRC having a meeting, and folks who just wanted damn good pizza. Slammers is the kind of bar that I would walk to in my New Jersey town if there was such a place. It can be a great pizza place with cool drinks on a Wednesday and also the patio you want to hang out on after the drag show a few steps away. I was impressed with Columbus, Ohio and how diverse the town is but more impressed with "The Bobby."
The Back Door: Bloomington, IN
You enter The Back Door through a BACK DOOR! There's actually an alley you walk down to get to get to The Back Door. And then there's this parking garage/under construction building adjacent to the doorway. But then you enter the wooden gate area and you're in some sort of tropical nirvana in the middle of Indiana. Who knew. An adorable employee Lucas, bounced around doing 5 different things at once. The owner , Smoove, was the most gracious human being I've met in a long time. They showed me the artwork all over the bar. In their words, "if you're going to have one glitter unicorn painting, you might as well have them all!" But there was actually great art in the restrooms! Get in there and check it out. But also, ALSO! The Back Door has tshirts that say 'HOOSIER HOMO." On the night i was there RuPaul's Drag Race was on followed by a performance by the beautiful Miss April Rose. The main reason to visit The Back Door besides its history is definitely Smoove, the sweeter than sugar employees, and a really cool vibe on any random night!
The Lipstick Lounge: Nashville, TN
There were 8 women in bikinis sitting on the edge of a hot tub which was inside a trolley going 25 mph down a street in Nashville. What the hell is Nashville?
There were also about 20 men on a trolley with a plow attached to the front with the words "Get Plowed." They were all drinking hard seltzer and yelling at traffic.
What the hell is Nashville?
I've never been to Tennessee and was mostly picturing the Grand Ole Opry and was one million percent wrong about that. After I escaped the trolleys, I gps-ed my way to the Opry to try to match the picture in my head. I'm not being overly dramatic to say I couldn't find it. It is surrounded by a mall and restaurants and hotels. I wanted to get to the Lipstick Lounge so I didn't pay for the parking lot where I might have been able to get closer to actually see the Opry. Alas, that will be another trip.
Not gonna lie. Tennessee and gay is not the first perfect combo in my head. I've never been to Tennessee before and had no idea what a lesbian bar there would look like. So after I pulled into the bizarro world AirBnB and unpacked I went to find food before the bar. I was so excited that the Lipstick Lounge was located across the river from downtown Nashville in the part of town with a plethora of rainbow flags and really cool businesses. Hell, the actual bar is bright purple and red.
I paid the $5 cover charge and ran right into the chest of the extremely tall drag queen announcing the next karaoke contestant. OH MY GOD, EVERYONE IN NASHVILLE SINGS! I mean, it makes sense. But not only do they sing they kick ass in the confidence and sweetness categories. Lesbians wearing stylish heels, straight men and women having drinks at the corner table, a Grammy winning Nashville septuagenarian singer, cooler than cool humans dripping style ALL BELTING OUT SONGS!
And the song choices ranged from old school Whitney Houston to some random showtune which our beautiful drag MC said was sad and depressing.
Outside is a large eating and drinking area with cool bar height seats that lean over the sidewalk railing. Nobody is hiding in this bar as nobody should. There were truly some GORGEOUS women hanging out.
I know Tennessee is a red state but the Lipstick Lounge is a tiny pocket of blue which makes me wish I lived closer to hang out with these people. (but deeply glad most of NJ is bright freakin blue.) There were a lot of "Man Toys" billboards complete with lady holding a gun imagery.
My Sister's Room: Atlanta, GA
Ok Atlanta. I see you. You almost beat me. I got there at 7pm and there weren't even people having happy hour drinks. Why. Because the fun and excitement doesn't start until 9 or 10 and I'm old .I remember that time in the 80s when you didn't go out til 10:30. I refuse to be part of that now because I'll die. Yes. I'll die. So I wandered Atlanta until about 8:30 and I saw some folks playing pool and eating popcorn in My Sister's Room. They were actually visiting from San Francisco where maybe they start the party earlier but I'll find out next month.
Before I go further I have to have a shoutout to Celena who I promised would be the face of Atlanta. She's the first one pictured below. She was at the bar early and I'm assuming way after I left but she climbed on stuff when I told her to so that counts for a lot. In the hours that I was there, a trolley (always a trolley) with a family reunion pulled up and came in, a group of Indian women came in to dance, drink and take a ton of group selfies, and there was Jenga. Massive Jenga competition. They also had giant Connect 4 but there was some sort of malfunction. "Here...diagonally. Pretty sneaky sis." You'll only understand that if you're over 45. YouTube it.
The crowd at My Sister's Room varies depending on the room you stand in. There's a great front room open to the street side with pool tables and obviously Jenga and a tiny bar where you can order food and get popcorn. Through a doorway pulses blue light and a dance floor and the main bar. There were some beautifully dressed women having drinks while their handbags took up space on the high-top table. At 10:30 the downstairs opens with drag shows and a lot of neon. It also opens onto the huge outdoor patio which was made larger during Covid. Some of the parking was reduced but the space is so open and welcoming with sparkling outdoor lights.
Before I go further I have to have a shoutout to Celena who I promised would be the face of Atlanta. She's the first one pictured below. She was at the bar early and I'm assuming way after I left but she climbed on stuff when I told her to so that counts for a lot. In the hours that I was there, a trolley (always a trolley) with a family reunion pulled up and came in, a group of Indian women came in to dance, drink and take a ton of group selfies, and there was Jenga. Massive Jenga competition. They also had giant Connect 4 but there was some sort of malfunction. "Here...diagonally. Pretty sneaky sis." You'll only understand that if you're over 45. YouTube it.
The crowd at My Sister's Room varies depending on the room you stand in. There's a great front room open to the street side with pool tables and obviously Jenga and a tiny bar where you can order food and get popcorn. Through a doorway pulses blue light and a dance floor and the main bar. There were some beautifully dressed women having drinks while their handbags took up space on the high-top table. At 10:30 the downstairs opens with drag shows and a lot of neon. It also opens onto the huge outdoor patio which was made larger during Covid. Some of the parking was reduced but the space is so open and welcoming with sparkling outdoor lights.
Babes of Carytown: Richmond, VA
Babes was the only bar that asked me for my vaccine card. YES! And asked in the nicest way possible. You have to think about the ridiculousness of being trapped inside for a year and a half and then a vaccine happens which allows businesses to open, children to play outside again, and gays to dance again. And then people don't get the vaccine.
On this journey, most people I've spoken with in the bars gladly received the vaccine. There is no need to live through another health crisis that kills people . If there was a vaccine or a cure or a cocktail or a PreP in the 80s so many of our friends would still be here. Creating, laughing and loving. There's a reason for this tiny soapbox. I met two men and a bartender (not yet a sitcom but should be) who remember the 80s. They remember having to go to a gay or lesbian bar to find community. To find fun where you wouldn't get harassed. The bars don't fix it all but they still feel comforting. whether you identify as any of the Alphabet Mafia or not it does still feel a bit safer with the LGBTQ crowd.
Babes is very specific that it isn't specifically a lesbian bar. Its a restaurant that caters to everyone in the Richmond area including the underage. It doesn't become over 21 until the evening. According to X, the excellently eloquent bartender, absolutely everyone is welcome but she remembers the 90s too. She went to Babes as a younger gay to dance, to laugh, to meet people and to feel comfortable. Now, with a kid and a successful dance teacher career she still works when needed because she loves the bar. And she loves her boss who owns the bar. They all make it so welcoming for whatever activity. Dancing or Volleyball. They have it all! Also, the zucchini fries are highly necessary.
On this journey, most people I've spoken with in the bars gladly received the vaccine. There is no need to live through another health crisis that kills people . If there was a vaccine or a cure or a cocktail or a PreP in the 80s so many of our friends would still be here. Creating, laughing and loving. There's a reason for this tiny soapbox. I met two men and a bartender (not yet a sitcom but should be) who remember the 80s. They remember having to go to a gay or lesbian bar to find community. To find fun where you wouldn't get harassed. The bars don't fix it all but they still feel comforting. whether you identify as any of the Alphabet Mafia or not it does still feel a bit safer with the LGBTQ crowd.
Babes is very specific that it isn't specifically a lesbian bar. Its a restaurant that caters to everyone in the Richmond area including the underage. It doesn't become over 21 until the evening. According to X, the excellently eloquent bartender, absolutely everyone is welcome but she remembers the 90s too. She went to Babes as a younger gay to dance, to laugh, to meet people and to feel comfortable. Now, with a kid and a successful dance teacher career she still works when needed because she loves the bar. And she loves her boss who owns the bar. They all make it so welcoming for whatever activity. Dancing or Volleyball. They have it all! Also, the zucchini fries are highly necessary.
Cubbyhole: Manhattan, NY
It's forever. Cubbyhole is forever. It doesn't have to have any pretense because its simply the best. I've been there to plan this shoot and also to hang out and its the closest thing to Cheers. Well, if Cheers was an all-inclusive and diverse bar in New York City. Just go there. The bartender, and I say THE bartender, Deb is an icon. She moves at the speed of light and remembers everyone's face. And most of all has a smile on her face for every order.
The mix of the crowd is a slice of NYC. There is every cross section of humanity and it all just works. Much like the hundreds of stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling of the narrow corner space, people are packed in tightly inside. Vaccinated people who have to show ID and Vaccination cards. Outside seating space is also coveted on the weekends or after work. You can however order outside with a qr code and pay with Venmo so you can easily hang outside and people watch or start chatting with a stranger. Since everyone I met was a stranger I asked a lot of questions and realized that there were a lot of visitors from everywhere at the Cubbyhole. Its iconic so lesbians from Oklahoma and San Francisco were seated next to each other just having the same beer they could have gotten closer to home. Except, again, its the Cubbyhole and you must go. Also, everyone looks famous.
The mix of the crowd is a slice of NYC. There is every cross section of humanity and it all just works. Much like the hundreds of stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling of the narrow corner space, people are packed in tightly inside. Vaccinated people who have to show ID and Vaccination cards. Outside seating space is also coveted on the weekends or after work. You can however order outside with a qr code and pay with Venmo so you can easily hang outside and people watch or start chatting with a stranger. Since everyone I met was a stranger I asked a lot of questions and realized that there were a lot of visitors from everywhere at the Cubbyhole. Its iconic so lesbians from Oklahoma and San Francisco were seated next to each other just having the same beer they could have gotten closer to home. Except, again, its the Cubbyhole and you must go. Also, everyone looks famous.
Wildrose: Seattle, WA
I've been gay since kindergarten. Also my best friend from kindergarten is gay. Maybe it was the milk and cookies. Anyway, she lives in Seattle now with her girlfriend. She graciously brought me to her local lesbian bar and the West Coast's OLDEST lesbian bar, The Wild Rose. Again, vaccinated customers only inside. The first person I spoke to outside was gorgeous and very friendly. Seattle is supposed to be gray and rainy but for a period of summer 2021 there was a climate change-induced heat wave. It was over 90 for days in a row. In any event, it got Seattle residents out of their Patagonia vests for a minute. Gorgeous strong women in tank tops and t-shirts hung out late enjoying the Pacific Northwest's late evenings.
I was concerned that Tuesday was going to be an off night to visit the bar but was told that Tuesday was indeed Taco Tuesday. Course it was. The tacos were extraordinary and the owner and bartenders were the sweetest. And proud as hell. They have a sign inside on the mirror above the spacious bar that says "We will not be erased!" Its difficult to explain how powerful that statement makes you feel even when surrounded by happy, drinking visitors. It truly does drive home the message that its going to take a lot of women and women-owned businesses to empower each other enough to lift us all up.
I had conversations that evening with a group of women who were first responders and their strength and humor made me proud. Then there was the table of young ones in the street table. They were full of life and made me wish I had been more politically inclined and powerful in the 90s. There were women there who were also on their leg of the "lesbian bar" crawl that sprung up this summer after we all realized these havens were few and far between. Here's hoping they become many and close by.
I was concerned that Tuesday was going to be an off night to visit the bar but was told that Tuesday was indeed Taco Tuesday. Course it was. The tacos were extraordinary and the owner and bartenders were the sweetest. And proud as hell. They have a sign inside on the mirror above the spacious bar that says "We will not be erased!" Its difficult to explain how powerful that statement makes you feel even when surrounded by happy, drinking visitors. It truly does drive home the message that its going to take a lot of women and women-owned businesses to empower each other enough to lift us all up.
I had conversations that evening with a group of women who were first responders and their strength and humor made me proud. Then there was the table of young ones in the street table. They were full of life and made me wish I had been more politically inclined and powerful in the 90s. There were women there who were also on their leg of the "lesbian bar" crawl that sprung up this summer after we all realized these havens were few and far between. Here's hoping they become many and close by.
Gossip Grill: San Diego, CA
Hands down the most fun. Well I say that without traveling to the next 12 bars yet. The bouncers are welcoming, the patrons are outgoing and varied. The drag show was extraordinary! Its very much a restaurant, snacks, happy hour, meet after work, bridal party drag party, date place. Its open air format with seating inside, outside and partially in the street has room for a lot of people to enjoy Gossip Grill however they need to! It's California so its automatically relaxed but with a driving undercurrent of energy. There seem to be a lot of regulars combined with people meeting up for special occasions.
A group of motorcycle loving women were hanging out inside until I asked to take photographs. Quite clearly, their bikes were their most favorite things besides their girlfriends. They could have posed all night.
A group of motorcycle loving women were hanging out inside until I asked to take photographs. Quite clearly, their bikes were their most favorite things besides their girlfriends. They could have posed all night.
