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Cincy LGBT bars: Why are so few left?


By johnlbelden / May 4, 2016 / No Comments

By Michael Chanak
With Howard Sharons passing, we have lost another big supporter of our LGBT
community; Howard was an ardent supporter of the ISQCCBE (The Court) and
many other LGBT causes. And in his support for our community, Howard also
offered a gay-owned and operated establishment that we have also lost:
Shooters.
Those are not the words of Mother Goose, dear reader, but a young man who I
met through pride volunteerism in Cincinnati, David E. White. I noticed a lively
debate on his FB page when he lamented the closing of various gay bars over
the past few years.
I invited David to this space. Hes also nearly 30 years
younger than the Goose. Mother Goose also
acknowledges the photography of Joe Ford of
Cincinnati who I sent on the assignment to Shooters.
First, a little on David, as he described himself:
Lover of all things urban. Dave has lived in the
Pendleton/Over-the-Rhine area of downtown for moreShooters is the latest of many LGBT bars to close in
Cincinnati. (Joe Ford photo)
than 14 years. An avid volunteer for his downtown
and LGBT community, he is committed to improving Cincinnati for everyone.
And as youll read in the following article, hes very (opinionated and)
interested in our LGBT community stepping up and opening more gaypromoted establishments where our community can feel comfortable and

promoted establishments where our community can feel comfortable and


continue to grow.
The following are Davids thoughts:
Having lived downtown for 14 years and in Clifton for 5 years prior, I have
seen many of my favorite Cincinnati LGBT haunts close and not be replaced:
Adonis
Bronze/ Jacobs
Billfishes
Carols/ Union Station
Golden Lion
Hamburger Marys/ Universal Grille/ Roxys
Pipeline
Spurs
The Subway
Yadda Club
First, Cincinnati is a region of 2.1 million people, so I ask: Why do we have so
few gay-owned/operated or gay-promoted establishments?
As a comparison to Cincinnatis situation, I look to Pittsburgh and that
regions number of LGBT establishments; Pittsburgh is a region of 2.3 million
people and the number of LGBT bars listed by GayCities.com is 21; Cincinnatis
listing on that site is 11. Granted, GayCities is a bit antiquated and I have no
idea what their qualifications are for a LGBT bar, but it is Googles top site for
listing gay bars in a given city.
Second, let me mention that our community is lucky to have those
entrepreneurs and strong LGBT supporters like Nigel Cotterill, Juan Carlos (JC)
Diaz, Tony Cody (Penny Tration), Randy Bridges, and others who have opened
and proudly operated their establishments; for them, our community is most
grateful. Thank you to all of those current, proudly gay establishments: The
Annex, Bar 32, Below Zero, Cabaret, C&D Caf, the Dock, Home Base Tavern,
Main Event, On Broadway, Simon Says, and Tillies.
Im not including in this list the multitude of openly gay-friendly
establishments such as Crazy Fox Saloon, Miltons, Northside Tavern, Unwind
Wine Bar and MANY more; yet I have been asked many times why these bars
dont meet the need.
I frequently hear, Why do we need more GAY bars; why cant we all coalesce
in gay-friendly bars?
Personally, I hang out at gay-friendly bars and prefer to be surrounded by

Personally, I hang out at gay-friendly bars and prefer to be surrounded by


both sexes in a gay-friendly environment. But we need those establishments
that celebrate our LGBT community like Below Zero, Cabaret, On Broadway
and others. We need spaces where we dont have to question if we are
welcome on a given night of the week or have to question if we can kiss
someone without being judged. We need more establishments that are
promoted to our community as a place where we can be comfortable.
From here forward, I would like to refer to gay establishments as gaypromoted places: bars, lounges dance clubs, and restaurants that proudly
employ LGBT employees, promote their space to us, and celebrate LGBT
clientele. Be it a straight or gay or gay-friendly bar, I dont care just promote
it and be proud to be an establishment who accepts LGBT, no matter what.
Further, what about those spaces that make you want to DANCE?! While I love
drag shows and karaoke, we have also lost many gay-friendly, dance-focused
establishments like Vertigo (Tuesday night BackBeat!), the Warehouse, Club
Venus, DV8, Annies, and plenty of others. Gay, Straight or whatever, this city is
experiencing a dearth of dance clubs. Im not talking one-night-a-week dance
nights or restaurant-bars that have a dance floor Im talking clubs that make
you DANCE, every night you visit. We have so many talented DJs in Cincinnati
that dont get to spin enough of their love for us; we need more establishments
that promote music and an openly gay-friendly environment.
And a note to those interested entrepreneurs: the neighborhoods of Clifton
Heights/University Heights/Fairview (CUF) and Clifton Gaslight could support
at least four new gay-promoted establishments (Re: GRINDR). Get on GRINDR
in those neighborhoods and youll witness the multitude of clientele.
So why dont our local small entrepreneurs open more gay-promoted
establishments or more investors back more gay establishments? And why
dont I open an establishment?
To respond to friends imploration, I recall Serial Moms Beverly Sutfin: For
the sake of this planet, someone just might!
Michael Goose Chanak is a longtime active member of the Cincinnati LGTB
community. Contact him at goose@maryx goose.org or www.maryxgoose.org
(http://www.maryxgoose.org) .
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