One of the best-known LGBTQ bars in San Francisco - The Stud - is closing its doors forever. The iconic bar is a casuality of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Open since 1987, the club was known for its drag performances. Stud co-owner Honey Mahogany said the bar had to close "because of a lack of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic".
"The historic bar will be announcing that they are permanently closing their location and will be holding a drag funeral to honor the end of an era of LGBT nightlife."
Effective social distancing is impossible given the Stud's limited outdoor space and infamous sweaty club nights.
But it might not be the end for the Stud with a GoFundMe set up to raising money for a new life. The GoFundMe reads:
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce our departure from our 399 9th Street location, The Stud's home for the past three decades. With the future of bars and nightclubs uncertain in the time of COVID, we can't sustain the cost of the space without revenue."
"Here's the thing, though: The Stud, the nightlife entity, is not dead. We're still going to come back when this is over-a different space with the same lovingly outrageous vibe."
"By closing the doors on our location-a place that holds memories for almost the entire city, and which survived both the AIDS and app years, as well as two tech booms and two economic busts, all with wigs a-flyin'-we're able to survive another day, in a new Stud incarnation. Mobile Stud parties, pop-ups, appearances, and more are being investigated. Who doesn't want the Stud serving liquor and looks at their socially distanced lesbian wedding or drag quinceanera?"