A Tribute To 10 Gay Bars We Lost in 2013

GayCities and Queerty beloved, while we have plenty cause for celebration as we sashay into 2014, we ask you to take a moment to reflect on the gay bars we lost this year.

These are the places you embarrassed yourself when you fought with your boyfriend, the places you lost your fourth consecutive iPhone, where you inexplicably racked your tab to $200, and where you slipped into a K hole dancing to Call Me Maybe.

While these bars and clubs will sadly never live to see Obama Care initiated, Brian Boitano take Sochi by storm or Tom Daley grow a mustache, their memories will forever live on.

Or better yet, they’ll stay blacked out where they belong. Regardless, here’s a look back as we jump forward.

1. Splash, New York City

bars-399-Splash-GCeditor-c6c6b

Ah, Splash. You were always there to jack up your cover charge to ogle at college twinks. You will forever be in our hearts. And headaches.

2. Buffalo, Las Vegas

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.06.28 PM

With the loss of Buffalo comes the loss of sliding up to the bar and dropping all your spare change into video poker. Good thing you’re in Vegas and you can do this literally anywhere.

3. Amsterdam, Phoenix

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.17.18 PM

While you may be sad to see Amsterdam go the way of the wooly mammoth, we’re more concerned with the fate of the pink mammoth on the wall. Let us know when the eBay auction starts.

4. Novak’s, St. Louis

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.23.43 PM

The lesbians of St. Louis were dealt a blow when Novak’s shut down.

5. Sisters, Philadelphia 

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.27.49 PM

Philly ladies didn’t fare any better when Sisters shuttered its doors.

6. The Urge, NYC

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.31.11 PM

NYC’s gays clearly didn’t feel the urge to keep showing up to this village cruise bar.

7. The Web, NYC

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.34.33 PM

New York also lost its Asian drag bar, The Web. We’re as confused as she is how it all went so wrong.

7. Buck’s Saloon, Chicago

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.38.34 PM

2013 was clearly not the year for gay bars with taxidermy, real or otherwise. Still, you’ve gotta give Buck’s credit for going out with some class.

8. KOK Bar, San Francisco

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.41.21 PM

San Francisco’s SoMa district loses a bit of its charm as leather bar Kok makes way for yet another straight hipster bar.

9. OutaBounds Sports Bar, Kansas City

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.44.30 PM

It’s three strikes and you’re out at this (former) gay sports bar. Sorry, sports metaphors aren’t really our thing.

10. Backdoor Lounge, Las Vegas

Screen Shot 2013-12-26 at 10.48.51 PM

When a fire burned down the Backdoor Lounge, not only did Vegas lose a gay bar, but an architectural masterpiece was also sacrificed. Good thing Circus Circus is still standing.

 

Don't forget to share:

Your support makes our travel guides possible

We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated