The owner of G-A-Y Bar in Soho, Jeremy Joseph, announced his decision to sell the venue, expressing that Soho has lost its vibrancy. After battling financial and mental strains related to the fight for the reopening of Heaven, he feels it’s time to make changes. Despite having lived above G-A-Y for 15 years, he notes the decline of queer identity on Old Compton Street and the challenges faced by LGBT venues in the current climate, including an uphill battle to extend licensing amid a cost of living crisis.
This isn't an easy decision. To me this is more than just a bar. It's also my home. I've lived above it for over 15 years.
I firmly believe that Soho has lost its vibrancy. Old Compton Street has lost its queer identity.
It doesn't feel like they care about LGBT venues... It's a constant uphill battle to try and extend G-A-Y Bar's license.
My goal would be for G-A-Y Bar to remain an LGBT venue... but my gut is that in the current climate, it won't be.
Collection
[
|
...
]