Last week the social networks were buzzing with the news that the Eagle Tavern (398 12th St.) is being re-opened as the SF Eagle, as a gay bar (whew!) that's gay-owned. Talk about a happy ending. The bar was closed in 2011 and has sat there ever since. Walking by it was like walking past a tomb, or one of those boarded-up theaters that still contain the ghosts of great performances past. The closed Eagle seemed to have an aura of its own ghosts of, well, great "performances" past.
Immediately upon its closing, volunteers tirelessly worked to get the bar reopened and/or declared a historical building by the city. Many rumors flew around, including one that resulted in an "ass-less chaps" takeover of the Skylark. "Ass-less" really isn't the correct term. All chaps are ass-less. The correct term should be "bare-assed," which means the person wearing the chaps has their ass exposed (and usually a jock in the front). I know I sound petty, but the overuse of the term "ass-less chaps" just bugs me. Anyway, this takeover was the result of the story that the owners of Skylark were going to reopen the Eagle as a non-gay venue.
Back in July, protesters picketed outside the Foreign Cinema after news broke that the popular restaurant was planning to turn the Eagle into an upscale restaurant and bar. The protest was titled "A Funeral for Queer Space" and themed as a New Orleans Jazz-infused funeral. Lucky for us, that protest helped delay the investor at the Foreign Cinema carrying out his plans.
Former owners John Gardner and Joseph Banks, who also own the Hole in the Wall, closed the Eagle to supposedly focus on that bar. It's been alleged that the Eagle was closed due to over seven months' non-payment of rent. At the time, the Hole in the Wall had recently relocated a few doors down from the Powerhouse on Folsom. The costs of the move, plus the fact that the bulk of the Eagle's business was on Sunday afternoons, probably contributed to the Eagle's closing.
Whatever the case, when the Eagle closed it left behind a rich legacy and quite a few upset folks. The anger and grief were justified. The bar wasn't just a great space with a great Sunday afternoon happy hour. It was (and is) hallowed ground. During the early height of the AIDS crisis, the ashes of many people were scattered there. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence blessed it as a "hallowed queer space."
On Tues., Aug. 28 at the Lone Star Saloon, the Eagle's new owners Mike Leon and Alex Montiel celebrated the welcome news with supporters and the folks who campaigned to get the Eagle reopened. Chief among them has been the formidable Anna Conda, who has led the way in getting the bar reopened and keeping it gay. This might not seem important to some, but this is a huge victory over the gentrification of the SoMa area, where our community's roots are so entrenched.
Mike and Alex have posted on the Eagle's site (www.sf-eagle.com): "The bar and patio located at 398 12th St. has long been a special place, not only to the LGBT community, but to the entire community for decades, not to mention the live music community as well. We just couldn't let such a historic place like this disappear!
(Photo: Scott Brogan)
"We will continue to host fundraisers for all the organizations from the past, as well as welcoming new ones, to make the SF Eagle the pride of our community once again. We look forward to seeing all of you very soon!"
Now it's up to us to support Mike and Alex and ensure the Eagle never closes again. Their goal is to reopen in time for Halloween. I hope so. I can't think of a better opening-night celebration than one on Halloween.
Kink.com's new club to open in time for Folsom. Kink.com's new bar, The Armory Club, located at the corner of 14th St. and Mission (across from the company's headquarters at the SF Armory), may be open in time for the Folsom Street Fair in a few weeks. The club won't be exclusively gay, but the opening of any new club that caters to our community �" especially one that's walking distance from the SoMa clubs �" is great news. It's reported that the club's decor will be in the style of Kink.com's "Upper Room," which features that deep-red velvety Victorian look. Nice! There is also a basement, which I'm told may or may not be available for "special use." We'll find out soon enough. Expect to read about upcoming "Bound in Public" and other gay fetish video shoots in the new club in the next few months.
Thu., Sep. 6: Daddy Thursdays at Kok Bar. Shot & drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Thu., Sep. 6: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse. Strip down for drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.
Thu., Sep. 6: Newcomer's Series Class at the SF Citadel (181 Eddy). 7 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
Fri., Sep. 7: Leather Beer Bust at Kok Bar. Beer & well cocktails $3, Rolling Rock beer bust $5. 5-9 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Fri., Sep. 7: Michael Brandon presents Locker Room at The Edge (4149 Collingwood). Go-go boys, gear. 9 p.m.-Midnight. Go to: www.edgesf.com.
Fri., Sep. 7: Open Event at the SF Citadel. $25. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
Fri., Sep. 7: Truck Wash at Truck (1900 Folsom). 10 p.m.-close. Live shower boys, drink specials. Go to: www.trucksf.com.
Sat., Sep. 8: Shirts Off Saturday at Kok Bar. Take it off for drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Sat., Sep. 8: All Beef Saturday Nights at The Lone Star (1354 Harrison). 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.facebook.com/lonestarsf.
Sat., Sep. 8: SF Spikes present: Dirty Jock! at the Powerhouse. Support our gay soccer club! Jell-O shots, drink specials, go-go studs, athletic supporters. 9 p.m.-Midnight. Go to: www.sfspikes.com.
Sat., Sep. 8: Stallion Saturdays at Rebel Bar (1760 Market). Revolving DJs, afterhours fun! 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Go to: www.stallionsaturdays.com.
Sun., Sep. 9: SF Men's Spanking Party at the Power Exchange (220 Jones St.), a male-only event. Go to: www.voy.com/201188/.
Sun., Sep. 9: Truck Bust Sundays at Truck. $1 beer bust. 4-8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.
Sun., Sep. 9: Jockstrap Beer Bust at Kok Bar. Wear your jock! 3-7 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Sun., Sep. 9: San Francisco MAsT (Masters and slaves Together) at the SF Citadel. 7:30 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
Sun., Sep. 9: Castro Bear presents Sunday Furry Sunday at 440 (440 Castro). 4-10 p.m. Go to: www.the440.com.
Sun., Sep. 9: PoHo Sundays at The Powerhouse. Dollar drafts all day! Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.
Mon., Sep. 10: Trivia Night with host Casey Ley at Truck. 8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.
Mon., Sep. 10: Dirty Dicks at The Powerhouse. $3 well drinks. 4-10 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.
Tue., Sep. 11: Busted at Truck. $5 beer bust. 9-11 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.
Tue., Sep. 11: Strap-on 101, taught by Rain DeGrey at the SF Citadel. 8 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
Tue., Sep. 11: Kok Block at Kok Bar. Happy hour prices all night. Pool tournament, 7-10 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Tue., Sep. 11: Jorge Vieto presents Making the Connection: Whips, men only, at the Mr. S Leather Playspace (385A 8th St.). Bring yours, or come down and learn. 7-10 p.m. Go to Facebook.
Wed., Sep. 12: Creative Kinksters at the SF Citadel, for crafty folk of the kinky persuasion. 7 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.
Wed., Sep. 12: Pit Stop at Kok Bar. Happy Hour prices all night. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.
Wed., Sep. 12: Golden Shower Buddies at Blow Buddies (933 Harrison), a male-only club. Doors open 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Play till late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.
Wed., Sep. 12: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse. Free clothes check. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.