Dani’s Queer Bar recently opened in Boston, marking the city’s first lesbian bar in decades. The bar is part of a growing trend of new queer women-centric bars opening across the country, with over a dozen such venues opening since the height of the Covid pandemic. Founder Thais Rocha had been hosting parties for queer women in the city before opening Dani’s, which is intended to be a space for Sapphic, trans, and non-binary community members.
Rocha received a grant from Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, helping to bring Dani’s Queer Bar to fruition after several delays. The grand opening was attended by many excited patrons, including Stevie Dickie, who expressed gratitude for having a space in Boston specifically catering to queer women and transgender and nonbinary individuals.
Before the opening of Dani’s, Boston had been without a dedicated lesbian bar for at least two decades. The pandemic has exacerbated the decline of lesbian bars in the country, with only a handful remaining and facing closure threats. However, there has been a resurgence in Sapphic spaces since 2020, providing crucial community gathering spots for queer women.
Renee Gannon, a patron of Dani’s, highlighted the importance of having a permanent space for LGBTQ gatherings, noting the significance of a dedicated venue for fostering community connections. Kristen Porter, a leader in Boston’s lesbian community, emphasized the importance of Dani’s inclusion of the term “queer” in its name and its role in providing a welcoming space for a new generation. Overall, Dani’s Queer Bar represents a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and vibrant LGBTQ community in Boston.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com