[nep321]

Pulse in New Haven. Officially closed. I just got the news from the owner, on Facebook.

This trend has been going on for about 10 years now. All that's left in CT now is Chez and Polo in Hartford, which have become nearly empty or ghetto. And York Street Café and like one or two other minor ones in New Haven. And two extremely minor ones in New London (Franks and one other one). And Trevi in Fairfield (mostly lesbians and old men).

Other bars have closed in the past such as Cedar Brook, Triangles, Center Street, Gotham and another one in Waterbury.

My point is...that more gay bars have been closing down than opening, in CT. The only decent one left in the entire state IMO is York Street Café. I went there once and actually liked it.

I mean....what the heck though? Why is this happening? Does it have anything to do with a dwindling gay population in CT? Or does it have more to do with an increasingly challenging business climate, perhaps? Who knows.

It's just sad that Providence, which is somewhat similar to Hartford, has plenty of vibrant gay bars, and CT lags far behind in the gay nightlife department. Even metro areas such as Albany, Buffalo and Rochester have significantly larger gay populations than Hartford metro. What the hell?

Six years ago, when I moved back to Granby with my parents, I had dreamed of opening a new gay bar in Hartford. I figured I could use the help of my extremely real-estate savvy, wealthy father to make it happen. But, then I realized it would be a waste of time, effort and money, because the gay population in the Hartford area is significantly lower than other metro areas of similar size, and I know nothing about alcohol or dance music.

[mrgmrg]

Gay bars are closing because fewer gay people (at least in open and liberal communities like Connecticut) find it necessary to segregate themselves. Historically gay bars served a protective, as well as social, function--which is thankfully less necessary today. Also, with the rise of online dating, it's not as important to have venues with a primary function of facilitating gay people to meet other gay people. That's just my opinion (as a straight person). In NYC, which obviously has a large gay population, it seems gay bars are shrinking too, probably for similar reasons. So I doubt this phenomenon has anything to do with a low population of gay people relative to other parts of the Northeast.

[kidyankee764]

Nep, you need to stop your complaining and start looking into things more intellectually.

Tolerant times bring change to gay bars

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by mrgmrg

Gay bars are closing because fewer gay people (at least in open and liberal communities like Connecticut) find it necessary to segregate themselves. Historically gay bars served a protective, as well as social, function--which is thankfully less necessary today. Also, with the rise of online dating, it's not as important to have venues with a primary function of facilitating gay people to meet other gay people. That's just my opinion (as a straight person). In NYC, which obviously has a large gay population, it seems gay bars are shrinking too, probably for similar reasons. So I doubt this phenomenon has anything to do with a low population of gay people relative to other parts of the Northeast.

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Nep, you need to stop your complaining and start looking into things more intellectually.

Tolerant times bring change to gay bars

I think this is most likely the answer. Anywhere I go out, which is to say I don't go to "heterosexual only bars", there are plenty of gay folks. Gay people are largely accepted in society today and go out with their "hetero" friends to the same places. It makes sense that this would lower the demand for gay bars.

This should be a good thing, (i think?).

[mlassoff]

My partner and I never go to gay bars. Why? Because there is no place we feel unwelcome. So why not go someplace with better food, better service, and a more diverse group of people... Truthfully, if we go out, it's mostly to eat or meet other couple-friends.

I think with online dating, and discrimination against gays coming to a rapid hault, gay bars have just become passe.

[9162]

Fritz in Boston closed last month. Now, Providence actually has more gay nightclubs than Boston. The main reason I think this is happening is because the bars are too expensive; drinks $7.50, ouch.

[Stylo]

Pulse was not a gay bar, just had events. Was only there a couple years. It was a crappy club with crime issues in an otherwise good location near some high end restaurants. Good riddance. Hopefully a classier place goes in there.

[Stylo]

Adios:

Fights, Shootings, & A Bust | New Haven Independent

[nep321]

Well, once in a while I go to a gay bar, but yeah, I've been doing the online thing since 2003. It works much better for me, since I'm introverted.

I'll agree that the primary reason gay bars are closing down is because of internet sites and phone apps. I mean, it's a 24/7 way to communicate and meet others. A bar is typically something you do on a Fri or Sat night to socialize face to face (which is a good thing) or watch a drag show.

As a gay person however, I don't see the point in going to straight bars. I mean, what's the point? Might as well take out the guess work and go to a gay bar so that you know that the other men there are also interested in men.

But yeah, I guess times have changed.

I never really go to NYC. The last time I went to that wretched place was five months ago. It still takes an hour just to drive there, which is too far IMO. And the ridiculous tolls.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by nep321

Well, once in a while I go to a gay bar, but yeah, I've been doing the online thing since 2003. It works much better for me, since I'm introverted.

I'll agree that the primary reason gay bars are closing down is because of internet sites and phone apps. I mean, it's a 24/7 way to communicate and meet others. A bar is typically something you do on a Fri or Sat night to socialize face to face (which is a good thing) or watch a drag show.

As a gay person however, I don't see the point in going to straight bars. I mean, what's the point? Might as well take out the guess work and go to a gay bar so that you know that the other men there are also interested in men.

But yeah, I guess times have changed.

I never really go to NYC. The last time I went to that wretched place was five months ago. It still takes an hour just to drive there, which is too far IMO. And the ridiculous tolls.

There you go. You are doing what most gays do now and that is meeting people online. There is no need to go to a gay bar to meet other gays. You meet them online and go where you want to go. As others noted, there is not longer a need to have exclusively gay bars. Jay