Gay bar hayward ca
Hayward, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – In this city just 26 miles east of San Francisco, there were eight gay bars in the 1980’s. Now, Hayward’s last gay club standing, the Turf Club, has converted into an outdoor live music venue and neighborhood gathering space.
“We’ve gotten rid of the labels. It’s no longer a lgbtq+ bar; it’s a people bar with live music,” owner Larry Gray said last week. He added, “There’s no longer a need for gay bars, which were safe places to meet, get data and raise money for political causes.”
Twenty seven miles south of Hayward, another city — San Jose — is experiencing a similar phenomenon. San Jose didn’t have as many gay bars to start with, but two of its gay clubs close their doors permanently in the last couple of years — Brix Nightclub and Tinker’s Damn. Only three San Jose lgbtq+ bars remain open: Splash, Renegades and Mac’s.
Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that a new government review shows that the U.S. gay population is shrinking. Could it be that gay bars are also becoming a diminishing breed?
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HAYWARD — It certainly was not Joeanne Pepperell’s intention to banish local same-sex attracted barflies when she took over Club Rumor sdelayed last year.
But as she changed the Main Street venue’s vibe and renamed it the Funky Monkey, many same-sex attracted male regulars fled and a new crowd settled in.
“I still have some of Rumor’s clientele, but not as much as I would have liked to own kept,” Pepperell said. “A lot of people don’t like change.”
What’s gone: go-go boys and drag queen bingo. What’s in: darts, pool leagues and rock’n’ roll karaoke.
Gradually over the past 15 years or so, the formerly gay-oriented downtown Hayward bar scene has been getting straighter. Or, as some lock owners say, it has become harder to distinguish a gay-specific bar from one that welcomes everyone.
“I have everything from police officers to straight people, gaypeople, construction workers,” Pepperell said of her revamped bar. “It’s mixed, it’s nice, it’s different. I think it’s the way it should be.”
Pepperell, a 38-year-old Hayward native, is a veteran of the local bar scene and
HAYWARD — In the 1980s, this city had eight gay bars; now the last one, the Turf Club, has evolved into an outdoor inhabit music venue and neighborhood gathering space.
“We’ve gotten rid of the labels. It’s no longer a same-sex attracted bar; it’s a people bar with live music,” owner Larry Gray said last week.
Gray transformed a parking lot into a landscaped patio with trees and plants, a Tiki bar, a stage and a pond with koi, goldfish and five turtles.
“We’re trying to bring exist music back into Hayward, making Hayward a destination,” Gray said.
There’s no longer a need for homosexual bars, which were protected places to meet, obtain information and raise funds for political causes, he said.
“The laws have changed, and people’s attitudes toward gay people have changed,” Gray said. “Straight people love coming in and seeing the live song. Knowing it’s gay-owned and -operated has no impact. It’s free and exposed , blending straight and queer people into a consonant situation, drawn by the music.”
Musician Kaye Bohler and her eight-piece band accomplish at the Turf Club on downtown Main Avenue about once a mon
(credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the leading spots in the nature for gay bars. With no shortage of options, the LGBT community can choose to hang out in environments that range from an outdoor tiki patio to all the bells-and-whistles drag shows. Here are 5 of the best gay bars around the bay. For some San Francisco-centric spots, notice here.
501 W. Taylor St.
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 275-9902
www.renegadesbar.com
Renegades Bar is the south bay gay lock at which to chill out and enjoy a relaxing time with friends. Unlike many clubs in the city, Renegades is not a nightclub, and many night patrons can be found kicking help and enjoying drinks without the pressure to twist. Staff and patrons are friendly to all, and there is a monthly drag show, as successfully as a men's-only underwear show. For those post-drinking munchies, locals rave about the Tacomania truck just across the street from Renegades.
Related: Everything LGBT - cbssf.com/lgbt
43 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 896-6473
www.clubomgsf.com
Club OMG! is a hopping joint located on the outskirts of the SoMa district. In addition to drinking and dancing, th
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