{{Short description|Campaign to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars"}} {{Infobox project | name = Lesbian Bar Project | logo = Lesbian_Bar_Project_logo.png | mission_statement = "To celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the United States." | commercial = No | type = Fundraising, awareness campaign, cultural | location = New York, New York, U.S. | owner = | founder = Erica Rose <br /> Elina Street | key_people = Lea DeLaria <br /> The Katz Company | established = {{Start date|2020|10|28|df=y}} | website = {{URL|www.lesbianbarproject.com/}} }} The '''Lesbian Bar Project''' is a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the US." The project launched on October 28, 2020 with a PSA video narrated by Lea DeLaria that announced a 30-day fundraising campaign to support what were thought to be the last 15 lesbian bars left in the country, many of which were financially threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="ae-oct2020">{{cite news |title=Dyking Out with The Lesbian Bar Project |url=https://afterellen.com/dyking-out-with-the-lesbian-bar-project/ |website=AfterEllen |date=19 November 2020 |access-date=27 December 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128154429/https://afterellen.com/dyking-out-with-the-lesbian-bar-project/ |url-status=live |last1=Alejandro |first1=Gabrielle }}</ref> A second phase followed in June 2021 in connection with Pride Month, including the release of a short documentary, and a three-part docuseries was released on National Coming Out Day 2022.
== History == Lesbian bars have been in decline across the United States since the 1980s, with more than two hundred having closed due to demographic changes, the wage gap and other city-specific reasons.<ref name="pbs"/><ref name="Compton 2021" /> The Lesbian Bar Project was created by New York City-based filmmakers Elina Street and Erica Rose.<ref name="cntraveler">{{Cite web|last=Hoeffner|first=Melissa Kravitz|title=America's Lesbian Bars Are Dwindling—This Project Wants to Change That|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/americas-lesbian-bars-are-dwindling-this-project-wants-to-change-that|access-date=2020-12-27|website=Condé Nast Traveler|date=7 December 2020 |language=en-us|archive-date=2020-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216082331/https://www.cntraveler.com/story/americas-lesbian-bars-are-dwindling-this-project-wants-to-change-that|url-status=live}}</ref> In fall 2020 the friends reminisced about one of their last night's out at Brooklyn lesbian bar Ginger's before it shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They decided to create a fundraiser to provide financial support to lesbian bars across the country.<ref name="cntraveler" /> They also noted that the number of bars has dwindled, as there were approximately 200 lesbian bars in the United States in the 1980s and few remained.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Andrea|date=2020-11-04|title=There Are Only 15 Lesbian Bars Left in the U.S. — Here's How You Can Support Them|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/lgbt-travel/jagermeister-lesbian-bar-project|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230014052/https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/lgbt-travel/jagermeister-lesbian-bar-project|archive-date=2020-12-30|access-date=2020-12-27|website=Travel + Leisure|language=EN}}</ref>
On October 28, 2020, the Project was announced with a YouTube PSA video co-directed by Rose and Street and narrated by Lea DeLaria.<ref name="gomagoct29">{{Cite web|last=Lichtenstein|first=Isabelle|date=2020-10-29|title=There Are Only 15 Lesbian Bars Left In America. The Lesbian Bar Project Wants To Save Them|url=http://gomag.com/article/there-are-only-15-lesbian-bars-left-in-america-the-lesbian-bar-project-wants-to-save-them/|access-date=2020-12-27|website=GO Magazine|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130200549/http://gomag.com/article/there-are-only-15-lesbian-bars-left-in-america-the-lesbian-bar-project-wants-to-save-them/|url-status=live}}</ref> The video launched a 30-day fundraising campaign, which featured photographs of the bar interiors and testimonials from the owners.<ref name=":0" /> The fundraiser closed on November 26, 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Wallace|first=Lindsay Lee|date=2020-12-23|title=The Lesbian Bar Project Raises Over $100,000 to Protect 15 of Our Last Lesbian Bars|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/the-lesbian-bar-project-raises-over-100000-to-protect-15-of-our-last-lesbian-bars/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226100148/https://www.autostraddle.com/the-lesbian-bar-project-raises-over-100000-to-protect-15-of-our-last-lesbian-bars/|archive-date=2020-12-26|access-date=2020-12-27|website=Autostraddle|language=en-US}}</ref> By October 2020, they project had raised $260,000.<ref name="bond">{{Cite news |last=Lavietes |first=Matt |date=2021-10-15 |title=James Bond walks into a gay bar. But should he? |language=en |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-life-and-style/james-bond-walks-gay-bar-rcna3115 |access-date=2021-10-18 |archive-date=2021-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018003038/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-life-and-style/james-bond-walks-gay-bar-rcna3115 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Virtual events for the project are ongoing, with proceeds going to the Lesbian Bar Project Pool Fund, which are distributed between the 13 participating lesbian bars, as two (Sue Ellen's and Pearl Bar) opted out of receiving funds.<ref name="cntraveler" /><ref name="gomagoct29" /><ref name="gomagnov18">{{Cite web|last=Lichtenstein|first=Isabelle|date=2020-11-18|title=Join The Lesbian Bar Project For A Virtual Roundtable Hosted By GO's Dayna Troisi|url=http://gomag.com/article/join-the-lesbian-bar-project-for-a-virtual-roundtable-hosted-by-gos-dayna-troisi/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130205955/http://gomag.com/article/join-the-lesbian-bar-project-for-a-virtual-roundtable-hosted-by-gos-dayna-troisi/|archive-date=2020-11-30|access-date=2020-12-27|website=GO Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Among these virtual events was a November 2020 episode of the podcast ''Dyking Out'', which featured performances from comedians including Lea Delaria, Sydnee Washington, and Cameron Esposito.<ref name="ae-oct2020" />
==Documentaries== In 2020, the directors announced plans to develop a series of documentaries to highlight lesbian bars throughout America, with a longer term goal of international features.<ref name="cntraveler" /><ref name="gomagoct29" /> In June 2021, for Pride Month, Street and Rose released a short documentary on YouTube titled ''The Lesbian Bar Project'' with executive producer Lea Delaria and sponsorship from Jägermeister.<ref name="Compton 2021">{{cite news |last1=Compton |first1=Julie |title='The Lesbian Bar Project' chronicles the decline of women's queer spaces |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lesbian-bar-project-chronicles-decline-women-s-queer-spaces-n1269463 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=NBC News |date=June 3, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612044734/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lesbian-bar-project-chronicles-decline-women-s-queer-spaces-n1269463 |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 11, 2022, National Coming Out Day, a three-part docuseries with DeLaria as executive producer was released on The Roku Channel, with a focus on one bar in each episode of the series.<ref>{{cite news |title=TELEVISION Lea DeLaria celebrates premiere of 'The Lesbian Bar Project' |url=https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/TELEVISION-Lea-DeLaria-celebrates-premiere-of-The-Lesbian-Bar-Project/74138.html |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=Windy City Times |date=October 8, 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123002614/https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/TELEVISION-Lea-DeLaria-celebrates-premiere-of-The-Lesbian-Bar-Project/74138.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cahillane |first1=Mollie |title=Roku and Jägermeister Team Up for Streaming Series The Lesbian Bar Project |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/roku-jagermeister-streaming-series-the-lesbian-bar-project/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=AdWeek |date=June 15, 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123002610/https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/roku-jagermeister-streaming-series-the-lesbian-bar-project/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kish |first1=Robin |title=The Lesbian Bar Project Drops Trailer For Upcoming Docuseries |url=http://gomag.com/article/the-lesbian-bar-project-drops-trailer-for-upcoming-docuseries/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=GO |date=September 23, 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123002612/http://gomag.com/article/the-lesbian-bar-project-drops-trailer-for-upcoming-docuseries/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Producers == The Lesbian Bar Project is produced in collaboration with Jägermeister through its Save the Night campaign.<ref name="cntraveler" /><ref name="Compton 2021" />
== Featured bars == [[File:281 W12 Cubbyhole 2021 jeh.jpg|thumb|right|Cubbyhole (New York City)]] [[File:Henrietta Hudson HDR 2022 jeh.jpg|thumb|right|Henrietta Hudson (New York City)]]
These bars were identified by the Lesbian Bar Project as the last 15 lesbian bars in the United States, although other sources put the number at 21.<ref name="pbs">{{cite news |title=21 lesbian bars remain in America. Owners share why they must be protected |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/21-lesbian-bars-remain-in-the-america-owners-share-why-they-must-be-protected |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=PBS NewsHour |date=2021-06-10 |language=en-us |archive-date=2021-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612015606/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/21-lesbian-bars-remain-in-the-america-owners-share-why-they-must-be-protected |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gomagoct29" /> As of 2026, the website itself lists 36 operational lesbian bars.
===Operational=== * A League of Her Own (Washington, D.C.)<ref name="pbs"/><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Capps|first=Kriston|date=June 25, 2021|title=How America's Last Lesbian Bars Survived the Pandemic|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-25/america-s-last-lesbian-bars-fight-for-their-lives|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Bloomberg.com|archive-date=2021-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630104716/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-25/america-s-last-lesbian-bars-fight-for-their-lives}}</ref> * Cubbyhole (New York City)<ref name="pbs"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Alfonseca|first=Kiara|date=26 June 2021|title=The last lesbian bars struggle to survive, advocates say, putting landmarks of queer history in danger|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/lesbian-bars-struggle-survive-advocates-putting-landmarks-queer/story?id=77923111|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-30|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629161444/https://abcnews.go.com/US/lesbian-bars-struggle-survive-advocates-putting-landmarks-queer/story?id=77923111}}</ref> * Ginger's (New York City) * Gossip Grill (San Diego, California)<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to Support San Diego's Queer Community During Pride Month|url=https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/san-diego/how-to-support-queer-community-in-san-diego|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Thrillist|date=8 June 2021 |language=en|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626190408/https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/san-diego/how-to-support-queer-community-in-san-diego|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sprayregen|first=Molly|title=There are only 15 lesbian bars left in the U.S. & they're fighting to stay open in 2021|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/12/15-lesbian-bars-left-u-s-theyre-fighting-stay-open-2021/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=LGBTQ Nation|date=30 December 2020 |archive-date=2021-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520110109/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/12/15-lesbian-bars-left-u-s-theyre-fighting-stay-open-2021/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Henrietta Hudson (New York City) * Lipstick Lounge (Nashville, Tennessee)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lesbian Bars Have Dwindled Since 1980. A Nashville Owner Explains Why They're Needed|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/27/1010677017/lesbian-bars-have-dwindled-since-1980-a-nashville-owner-explains-why-theyre-need|access-date=2021-06-30|website=NPR.org|date=27 June 2021 |language=en|archive-date=2021-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630013107/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/27/1010677017/lesbian-bars-have-dwindled-since-1980-a-nashville-owner-explains-why-theyre-need|url-status=live}}</ref> * My Sister's Room (Atlanta, Georgia)<ref name=":3" /> * Pearl Bar (Houston, Texas)<ref name=":2" /> * Slammers (Columbus, Ohio)<ref name="bailey">{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Brittany |title=Slammers standing strong as one of few lesbian bars left in the country |url=https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/slammers-standing-strong-as-one-of-few-lesbian-bars-left-in-the-country/530-c55b9160-b672-4673-8161-f0384eb51d67 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=10tv.com |date=11 June 2021 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612031816/https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/slammers-standing-strong-as-one-of-few-lesbian-bars-left-in-the-country/530-c55b9160-b672-4673-8161-f0384eb51d67 |url-status=live }}</ref> * Sue Ellen's (Dallas, Texas)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Sue Ellen's Revival Is a Homecoming for Dallas' Queer Community|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2021/06/sue-ellens-revival-is-a-homecoming-for-dallas-queer-community/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=D Magazine|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624081931/https://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2021/06/sue-ellens-revival-is-a-homecoming-for-dallas-queer-community/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-03|title=Dallas' only lesbian bar Sue Ellen's reopens June 4, after being closed nearly a year|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2021/06/03/dallas-only-lesbian-bar-sue-ellens-reopens-june-4-for-pride-after-being-closed-nearly-a-year/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Dallas News|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201413/https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2021/06/03/dallas-only-lesbian-bar-sue-ellens-reopens-june-4-for-pride-after-being-closed-nearly-a-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Walker's Pint (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) * The Wildrose (Seattle, Washington)
===Since closed=== * Herz (Mobile, Alabama),<ref name="pbs"/><ref name=":2" /> which subsequently closed in 2023<ref name="close">{{cite news |last1=Specker |first1=Lawrence |title= Mobile's Herz, one of nation's last lesbian bars, has closed|url=https://www.al.com/life/2023/04/mobiles-herz-one-of-nations-last-lesbian-bars-has-closed.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |work= AL.com |date=2023-04-28}}</ref> * Toasted Walnut (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), which subsequently closed in early 2021<ref name="wright">{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Jeni |title=With closure of Philly's only lesbian bar, we lose another safe space for queer women {{!}} Opinion |url=https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/toasted-walnut-lesbian-bar-closing-philadelphia-20210303.html |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=Inquirer.com |date=3 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611235611/https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/toasted-walnut-lesbian-bar-closing-philadelphia-20210303.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Blush & Blu (Denver, Colorado), closed October 2024<ref name="perez">{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Pattrik |title=Nationwide effort looks to preserve lesbian bars, including last remaining one in Colorado |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/nationwide-effort-looks-to-preserve-lesbian-bars-including-last-remaining-one-in-colorado |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=KMGH |date=2021-06-05 |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605042321/https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/nationwide-effort-looks-to-preserve-lesbian-bars-including-last-remaining-one-in-colorado |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-07 |title=Colorado's only lesbian bar closes its doors |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/denver-colorado-only-lesbian-bar-closes-blush-blu-rcna174126 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
==Subsequent additions== After the Project was launched, the co-directors named lesbian bars they initially overlooked:<ref>{{Cite web|last=Srikanth|first=Anagha|date=2020-11-12|title=A new campaign is trying to save the last 15 lesbian bars in the country|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/525775-a-new-campaign-is-trying-to-save-the-last-15|access-date=2020-12-27|website=TheHill|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113063623/https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/525775-a-new-campaign-is-trying-to-save-the-last-15|url-status=live}}</ref> * Alibi's, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which subsequently closed in 2024.<ref name="Kirouac">{{Cite web |last=Kirouac |first=Matt |date=2023-06-20 |title=Oklahoma Is An Epicenter Of Lesbian Bars In The US |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/1318400/oklahoma-epicenter-lesbian-bars-us/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Tasting Table |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/alibisclubokc/posts/pfbid0231cMPisGGNUCeBPWW53yrWe4XBeLgRaSwp7weyrx8HHBvh97r2sBcKgN4DijDXt3l?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZUYqBonNMK7Zwz-yxu_iKeAPcotZHUma4Bvk2OtHBNfUKrFlch18223fBMSQC8mNqm7Imc85x61cZwpAi9ReRspRoHZ16XiLFEP2eapxqesYJwby0DILcNN2EpABHviyLvnj9joOVeWMOiC0Eq143t_WvFM-OzOYWPTtX-TRqUVMfUzFRh-Jx56tRgEip74pq6toNsGYh-e3fIvzJVwuRcP&__tn__=%252CO%252CP-R |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> * Babes of Carytown, Richmond, Virginia * Boycott Bar, Phoenix, Arizona * Cash Nightclub and Lounge, Phoenix, Arizona * Frankie's OKC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Wild Side West, San Francisco, California
Since the project was launched, additional lesbian bars have opened. They include: * Arcana Bar and Lounge, Durham, North Carolina<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asmelash |first=Leah |date=2024-06-15 |title=There may not be many of them. But these Southern lesbian bars are still finding ways to thrive |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/15/us/lesbian-bars-south-cec |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> * As You Are, Washington, D.C. * The Back Door, Bloomington, Indiana * Boyfriend Co-op, Brooklyn, New York * The Bush, Brooklyn, New York * Dani's Queer Bar, Boston, Massachusetts * Dorothy, Chicago, Illinois * Femme Bar, Worcester, Massachusetts * Home Base Tavern, Cincinnati, Ohio * Honey's, Los Angeles, California * Jolene, San Francisco, California * The Lady's Room, Largo, Florida<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harlan |first=Andrew |date=2023-04-18 |title=Fundraiser launched to save The Lady's Room, one of the only lesbian bars in Florida |language=en-US |url=https://thatssotampa.com/the-ladys-room-largo/ |access-date=2023-04-28}}</ref> * Last Ditch, Greenfield, Massachusetts *Mother, San Francisco, California; a femme-focused queer bar<ref name="Sieving">{{Cite news |last=Sieving |first=Andrew |date=2023-02-17 |title=Meet Mother – San Francisco's newest queer bar opens in the Mission District |work=GayCities Wanderlust Blog |url=https://www.gaycities.com/articles/69154/meet-mother-san-franciscos-newest-queer-bar-opens-in-the-mission-district/ |access-date=2023-07-14}}</ref> *Nobody's Darling, Chicago, Illinois *The Pearl, Denver, Colorado *The Ruby Fruit, Los Angeles, California<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Tejal |date=2023-04-01 |title=The Lesbian Bar Isn't Dead. It's Pouring Orange Wine in Los Angeles. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/dining/drinks/lesbian-bars-los-angeles.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> *Scarlet Fox Wine Bar, San Francisco, California *The Sports Bra, Portland, Oregon *Unicorn Bar, Kingston, New York *Yellow Brick Road Pub, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Currently, there are 36 open lesbian bars in the United States as of 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Korynta |first=Emma |date=February 29, 2024 |title=As NC bar named one of 32 remaining lesbian bars in the US, a Charlotte organizer is working to increase LGBTQ+ spaces |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/features/lgbtq-community-spaces-charlotte-durham-lesbian-bar-sapphic-arcana/275-ad9d90fb-e473-4ecb-938b-4f0ef6a7c3a9 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=WCNC-TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lesbian Bar Project {{!}} List of the 36 Remaining Lesbian Bars in the U.S. |url=https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/bars |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=The Lesbian Bar Project |language=en}}</ref> 20 of the highlighted bars were a part of Krista Burton's 2023 book, ''Moby Dyke''.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Portal|LGBTQ}} * {{Official website|https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/}} * [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/lesbian-bars-closing-cubbyhole-lgbtq ‘They fling the doors wide open for you’: why America’s lesbian bars must be saved] (Guardian)
Category:Lesbian bars in the United States Category:Lesbian culture in the United States Category:Lesbian organizations based in the United States Category:LGBTQ history in the United States Category:Public awareness campaigns in the United States Category:Queer women's culture Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBTQ community Category:2020 in LGBTQ history