PORTLAND, Ore. — A longstanding queer bar in Southeast Portland's Buckman's neighborhood announced it will be shutting its doors for good at the end of the year. Crush Bar said its last day will be New Year's Eve, according to a social media post.
"We realize this news sounds familiar as we narrowly avoided closure last year," Crush Bar said in a Instagram post on Monday. "But sadly this time it is reality."
At the end of 2023, the bar announced its closure on social media. Then, in an Instagram post a week later, they said that a staff member had made an investment into the bar to allow it to stay open. While the staff member was supposed to take over the business to allow owner John "Woody" Clark to retire, a decrease in sales made that less possible, the Eater reported.
"We are so fortunate to have enjoyed 23 years of serving our community and would like to thank our loyal patrons and wonderful staff for everything," Crush Bar said.
The bar first opened in 2001 as a place where all could feel welcome and develop friendships. Its longstanding nature made it an institution, outliving the closures of nearby queer hangouts and bars alike.
"There’s a reason why Crush was often referred to as the Queer Cheers," the bar said.
In 2020, the bar dipped in some popularity when Clarke infamously called the police to shut down a protest of employees who had been laid off ahead of the COVID-19 shutdown. After a complaint was filed with the Board of Labor Industries, Clarke settled with the former employees.
Crush Bar plans to be open almost every day in December, with the exception of Mondays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, leading up to its last day.
"It’s been an honor to have been a part of creating this community for so many people over the years," Crush Bar said. "Thank you for all your support."
