The Stud, the popular South of Market gay bar, will stay at its current home at Ninth and Harrison for the next two years, and then move to a new location, if a recently launched three-month crowdfunding campaign to raise $500,000 is successful, according to a 15-member group that intends to purchase the bar.
As of December 12, the campaign has raised $1,180 from 13 donors, according to the website, at www.gofundme.com/save-our-stud. The campaign was launched on November 28.
The purchase of the bar, and its proposed move to a new location, came about after the current owner, Michael McElhaney, announced that he was planning to retire, after the building was sold and the new owners announced a 300% rent increase. (http://www.ebar.com/bartab/article.php?sec=nightlife&article=199).
On Dec. 6, the 15-member group, a worker-owned collective of 15 local performers, DJs, promoters and nightlife professionals, hosted a meeting at The Stud to update the community on their progress in "saving" the Stud.
Mica Sigourney (aka VivvyAnne ForeverMore), one of the spokespersons for the coop, said that the collective plans to buy The Stud from McElhaney and -effective December 30- sign a new two-year lease with the landlord.
In a subsequent telephone interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Sigourney declined to reveal the price of the business, which he said includes its liquor license and other assets, but said that those funds had already been raised from the collective members. He also declined to state the new rent for the space, although he said it was said the rent was "less than" the proposed 300% increase initially announced.
Sigourney also said that the collective is negotiating a longer-term lease at a new location, which they will build out for occupancy by the club in January, 2019. Sigourney declined to give any specifics about the location or how much the renovation would cost, but said it was a "few minutes" by foot from the current location at 399 Ninth Street.
Once the collective takes over The Stud from McElhaney on December 30, the collective will be responsible for bringing the structure up to current city codes, which Sigourney estimated would cost $50,000-$100,000. He declined to discuss any specifics of the necessary updates.
Another coop spokesperson, drag performer Honey Mahogany, said at the December 6 meeting that the new location was "beautiful and big" but "also a bit of a challenge because it has to be built out from top to bottom."
The coop said it intends to announce further details about the new location in mid-January, when it anticipates finalizing lease details.
While negotiations continue, The Stud will continue to hold its usual parties, culminating with a New Year's Eve fundraiser, said Sigourney.
When asked if there was a backup plan if the three-month fundraising goal of $500,000 was not met, Sigourney said, "it's going to be successful."
He also declined to discuss what would happen to donor's funds if the entire amount wasn't raised.
According to a statement issued by the collective, The Stud opened in 1966 and "distinguished itself from other SOMA gay bars of the day by proving to be a place where everyone was welcome. Since its opening, the Stud has become famous for its late night dancing and eclectic parties; played host to internationally renowned artists and performers; and helped launch the careers of some of the world's best queer parties and entertainers."
The Stud collective's vision statement is "keeping San Francisco queer by providing a safe, welcoming venue for creative expression, celebration and nightlife."