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The Victorian-themed Tin Lizzie Saloon, which has origins dating back to the 1950s according to their website, is one of the oldest queer bars in Orange County.
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Gavin Newsom made his shelter-in-place announcement, the business set up a GoFundMe to raise money for its staff, many of whom will be unemployed for an indefinite amount of time.Īccording to Strut Bar’s GoFundMe page, the $10,000 it hopes to raise will be distributed evenly among the club’s 26 staff members to help them support their families until the sanctions are lifted.īut Strut Bar & Club isn’t the only LGBTQ+ bar asking for financial support from the community. Closing after only a few months of business means the owneres likely will not have enough reserve capital to open its doors again if they are not able to open for business anytime soon. It has been popular since it opened its doors in September of 2019. Strut Bar and Club is a newly opened gay bar in Costa Mesa. But the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the health of many LGBTQ+ businesses. Life has become progressively better for the queer community in Orange County as local attitudes have changed.
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Wilber affirms that queer businesses have a history of struggling to stay alive in Orange County, but also said there is a queer community that supports these establishments, regardless of the political climate or challenge. “We would sometimes drive to Long Beach because they tended to be much more open and liberal,” Wilber said. “It was like living our life as a political statement,” Wilber said.Īt the time, Wilber felt that gay businesses would have had a better chance at surviving outside of Orange County because queer folks in cities such as Laguna Beach were closeted. The two lived as an openly gay couple in a conservative area. Stuart Wilber and his husband John Breitweiser came to Orange County in the late ’80s and settled in San Clemente for seven years during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Though times have changed, the effects of COVID-19 regulations on restaurants and bars is reminiscent of the difficulties faced by the queer community and its businesses in Orange County during the 1980s. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news. Hyatt Centric, Renaissance Hotel, The Westin, Hyatt Regency.All-Inclusive LGBTQ+ Bars and Clubs Face New Challenges Amid Coronavirus CloseĪll-inclusive bars and clubs in Orange County have fought for years to establish a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, but the coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that their battle is far from over as businesses throughout the county are forced to temporarily close their doors.Įditor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. We have found hotels with good reviews that keep you close to all the action, Sweetwater Saloon is an open-early neighbourhood drinking establishment for local gay men, more mixed than most patio, pool table, jukebox, sports on TV. The Suite is a popular video bar and dance club drag shows, pool tables, karaoke Saturday women’s nights, and Latin events. Sunday and Wednesday karaoke, music and comedy videos, DJs, outdoor patio, smokers’ area, buffets, shows, holiday theme parties and special events. Silver Fox is an easygoing video bar of many years, sociable locals of all ages. The Shaft is a longtime men’s cruise bar, noon-2am daily with DJ, pool tables, games, jukebox and patio. Falcon is a small but busy neighborhood gay party bar, especially on weekends jukebox, patio bar.įlux is a neigborhood gay bar just off 91 Freeway in Bellflower, north of Long Beach easy parking, inexpensive drinks, friendly staff, no cover charge. The Crest is a men’s bar, open daily, internet jukebox, covered patio Sunday barbecues, Urban Bear nights, daily drinks specials. Club Ripples a “bar with the motion that rocks the ocean,” is on two levels, dance floor, smoker’s patio, monthly bears’ events, College Nights, Friday Flashbacks, Latin and Punk nights, Sunday beer busts. Broadway Bar is a lively, casual, gay neighborhood bar with karaoke, cheap drinks, games. The Brit is a neighborhood bar and grill with patio, attracts bears among their general mix. With their own distinct gay scenes of mostly small neighborhood bars, restaurants and shops, Long Beach and Orange County towns to the southeast offer visitors a more laid-back Southern Californian experience from that of trendy West Hollywood and Downtown LA. Take the freeway south from downtown LA for the coastal community of Long Beach. Our guide to gay bars in Long Beach, Los Angeles