Gay bars in erie pennsylvania

The Zone does just that. Widdowson has been performing drag at The Zone for seven years. Mattson suggests that we can learn valuable lessons from the history of gay bars, such as Seattle's Garden of Allah, which opened in as a cabaret.

Home The Zone Dance

That's why The Zone plays a key role — because we don't discriminate. The Zone Dance Club is the only queer bar in Erie, and the only one between Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland. Unfortunately, Mattson didn't stop at The Zone during his expedition.

The Zone has a deep history in Erie, beginning when former owner Bob Regan, who passed away pennsylvaniaopened the club in Nov. Six years later, after outgrowing the space, The Zone moved to its current location at W. The Zone celebrated its 25th anniversary in The Zone is the only Queer bar between Cleveland and Buffalo and serves a wide audience, playing a crucial role for those in the rural areas of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Between and50 percent of gay bars in the United States closed their doors. They made their debut at The Zone in December After moving from Buffalo to attend Mercyhurst University, Siwinski found a sense of community at The Zone, which they describe as a "safe haven.

Overall, there are 45 percent fewer gay bars than in This decline underscores the importance of accessible Queer spaces like The Zone that serve as vital community hubs, offering not only entertainment but also support and safety. It's a sisterhood," Smolinsky said.

In addition to his role as a show director and bartender at the dance club, he performs as one of Erie's premier drag queens, Rebecca Maemost Friday nights and in additional shows like during trivia night. We're here and we aren't going anywhere!

The Zone is open days a year to serve Erie's Queer community, not bar on a hopping Saturday night, but also on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas — offering an authentic space to belong for those whose families may not be as welcoming.

This is a review for gay bars in Erie, PA: "In the last couple years you can tell the bar hit a rough patch but they've completely recovered and going strong great place to go friendly people great drink prices in erie atmosphere and especially the music.

The bar hosts Pride-related programming throughout June. With a core staff of about 12 employees and an additional auxiliary staff, The Zone operates like a close-knit, albeit "dysfunctional," family. Best Gay Bars in Erie, PA, United States - Last Updated September - The Zone.

It's only since The Zone that there has been only one," said Harry Miller, a contributor to the Erie Gay News. The Garden of Allah MC famously opened shows in the '40s and '50s with the greeting "Ladies, gentlemen, and the rest of you.

The only Queer Bar / Dance Club (aka Gay Bar) in Erie, PA. Serving the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community and the rest of our Queer and Ally family since Erie has been home to many gay and Queer bars throughout our history, including The City Squire, Embers, the Silver Slipper, Washington Grill, and the Midtown Lounge.

Grace Siwinski, also known as Rocky, has been performing drag for two years. "Erie has had its share of gay bars, usually three at a time. Most of us have been friends for years," Gressley said. Well-known for its welcoming aura, The Zone provides safety and entertainment, including drag performances and weekly programming.

The club also plays a crucial role in local Pride celebrations, with deep involvement in the Erie Pride Parade and Pridefest. He was driven to write about the significance of Queer spaces after his favorite gay bar, A Man's World in Cleveland, closed in Mattson identified the culprit for the decline in Queer bars as accessible online communities and dating apps like Grindr paired gay gentrification that "pushed gay bars out of the neighborhoods they helped make hip.

The Garden of Allah illustrates a common characteristic of gay bars: their ability to attract clientele diverse in sexual orientations and gender identities.