One of the Palm Springs area's most iconic gay bars is closing next month and moving to Arizona. The owner of The Barracks Bar in Cathedral City is blaming burdensome local and state regulations, making it impossible to continue to stay in business.
The bar's owner, Scott Murchison, posted on Facebook last week, "It is with profound sadness that we announce that The Barracks Bar that has existed as a staple of the Cathedral City LGBTQ+ Community for the past 31 years will officially close its doors for the last time at the close of business Sunday, August 4, 2024. The state of California is revoking our license to serve alcohol as of August 5, 2024."
But a spokesman for the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control told the Bay Area Reporter on July 22 that no final decision has been made about the bar's license.
"I can confirm that ABC originally received a public complaint regarding Barracks Bar and did open and conduct an investigation. At this time, no final administrative decision has been made by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control regarding Barracks Bar. Because this is an ongoing administrative case, there isn't a whole lot more I can add," wrote ABC spokesperson Devin Blankenship and an email to the B.A.R.
The spokesman forwarded the B.A.R. a 23-page complaint listing 66 counts against the bar for permitting lewd acts, nudity or partial nudity in the bar, and for allowing patrons to drink in the bar's patio without an employee being present.
When asked if the ABC's investigation was the result of a single complaint, the spokesman responded, "Our complaint process is anonymous and protected, so I'm not sure if it was a single or multiple complaints. But our ABC agents looked into and saw that the allegations warranted an investigation, in which they made multiple visits."
The detailed complaint documented alleged violations from November 2023 through February 2024 based on observations by inspectors for five different days with most of the complaints being noted on January 28 and February 25. Both of those days are Sundays, when the bar holds its popular beer bust.
On July 12, a week before the bar officially announced it was closing, Murchison wrote that he was negotiating with Cathedral City about an occupancy issue.
"Recently, the City of Cathedral City decreased our occupancy dramatically and placed us in the position of requiring us to invest in excess of $100,000 in upgrades to the extremely old building that we currently occupy. While we are negotiating with government officials and the landlord, we have been trying to create a safe and high-tech sound and energy dance club, as well as seeking to expand the Barracks brand nationwide," wrote Murchison, who also owns the Palm Springs gay bar Dick's on Arenas.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Cathedral City Manager Charlie McClendon wrote that The Barracks was only permitted occupancy for 49 people but that the city was working with the bar to help the business allow for a higher occupancy. The Barracks has space for many more than 49 people. It includes two large indoor areas, including one room with a pool table and seating, a large indoor dance floor, and a large open-air patio. McClendon said the city was working with the bar to help them increase the occupancy to 400.
The city manager wrote, "Building and fire codes allow local agencies to require fire sprinklers to protect the occupants, along with other improvements related to exit signage, panic hardware on exit doors, etc. These are common requirements that are necessary to protect public safety in larger establishments."
McClendon added that the issues with the state ABC were not related to the building's occupancy and that it was not his place to say what those issues were.
"I have also learned that the ABC process is not complete, there are still opportunities for the Barracks to respond and appeal any decisions made by the ABC. Whether or not they do so is up to them," the city manager wrote.
Last month, in a Palm Springs gay men's Facebook group, a member asked why the lights were so bright and there were no porn videos playing on the patio's video screens during its popular Wednesday underwear night. Several group members responded that the bar was likely reacting to complaints from the ABC over rules violations regarding nudity and sexual activity, which sometimes happens in the dark corners and along the back wall of the patio.
California's ABC regulations state: "No licensee shall permit any person to perform acts of or acts which simulate: (a) Sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation or any sexual acts which are prohibited by law; (b) The touching, caressing or fondling on the breast, buttocks, anus or genitals; (c) The displaying of the pubic hair, anus, vulva or genitals."
When asked by the B.A.R. how much it cost the state to conduct the undercover investigation documenting the 64 counts against the bar, Blankenship responded, "Unfortunately, there is no way for us to break down the cost of the investigation. Undercover operations and investigations such as this one are a normal part of an ABC agent's daily job duties. Each ABC regional office has a number of agents whose core responsibilities are to look into complaints regarding licensees."
In an email to the B.A.R. on Sunday, Murchison, the Barracks owner, responded, "I do not have any further comment than our previous statement on Facebook. Have a good week ahead!"
The owner wrote on Facebook that he has plans for the Barracks out of state.
"Please come and help us celebrate our last days in California and launch us into the world as we prepare for our continued life in our new home in Phoenix and beyond!" he wrote.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the Barracks workers. More than $8,000 had been raised as of Monday evening, July 22. To donate, click here.
Updated, 7/24/24: This article has been updated; the ABC cited 66 counts against The Barracks.
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