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Gay clubs in rochester ny

Pamela Barres still remembers the freedom she felt walking into Rosie’s wearing lipstick and that red wig.

Back then, Barres was a middle-aged married guy with children and a job at Kodak by day, and a covert “cross-dresser” by night eager for acceptance of her authentic self. She launch it at Rosie’s, a lesbian bar on Monroe Avenue.

“It was one of the few places I could be totally me,” said Barres, now a 79-year-old trans gal. “I was very, very hidden most of my life. And I was afraid of anybody ruling out.”

More than 30 years has passed since those days, and Rosie’s, like dozens of other gay bars in Rochester and hundreds across the country, has closed. Still, the rush of relief Barres experienced has not left her.

“There was a lot of dread, but excitement at the same time, and it felt so good to go someplace and touch that I wasn’t going to be beat up,” she said. “I wasn’t going to be screamed at or told how sick I was, or things like that, which we were all terrified of.”

For decades, gay bars were among the not many places that queer people could gather in relative safety. To their patrons, they were important spaces for finding and socializing with one’s people — and looki

LGBTQ+

All are welcome in Rochester, NY! With a rich history of civil rights, it shouldn't approach as a shock that Rochester is among the most welcoming, LGBTQ-friendly metro areas in the U.S., previously ranked 11th in Advocate’s Gayest Cities in America list. It's also one of the most culturally abundant. Rochester has also previously received a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign.

Tucked between Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes wine region, the tradition of dignity for all runs thick here. Susan B. Anthony's home, a National Historic Landmark, still stands in Rochester and is open to the public. Frederick Douglass established his abolitionist newspaper, The North Star, here. The first statue in the country honoring an African-American still stands in Highland Park. 

From locally-owned coffee shops and restaurants, to nightlife, art, culture, shopping and more, explore all that Rochester’s vibrant and diverse Homosexual community has to offer. 

Festivals & Events 

  • Rochester Pride: Held annually in July, signature Pride events including the Pride Parade, Pride Festival and the Pride Picnic. Numerous

    The Bachelor Forum is the oldest gay owned and operated exclude in Rochester, New York. As a landmark in the society and a safe space for LGBTQ people in Rochester, the bar hosts lots of events throughout the year.

    I grabbed.a chat with the owner, Peter Mohr, to discuss his serve at the Bachelor Forum over the years, and what we can expect for his modern business.

    Kyle Jackson: The Bachelor Forum is Rochester’s oldest owned and operated gay bar. How long have you been with the business and what are some of your favorite experiences over the years.

    Peter Mohr: I have been in the business for over 30 years. In the 90s, I worked at the Spike in NYC as a door person. (Yep, the 90’s) What a time! This was at the peak of the AIDS epidemic, so I saw and lost many, many friends. I have worked at many Rochester bars, including the Avenue Pub (which I just purchased) Muthers, Club Marcells, and the Bachelor Forum.  I’ve been here since 1999 and purchased the block in 2008.

    KJ: What types of events do you usually host at the Bachelor Forum? Anything interesting coming up?

    PM: We have a lot of different event: 1st Satu

    #ROARroc

    About ROAR

    Welcome to ROAR!
    Roar was born in 2019 by DJ Mighty Mic and DeeDee Dubois along with the like and support of their husbands.
    Our focus is creating a unique and safe place for the LGBTQ+ group and our allies.

    With a fabulous drink menu and full kitchen featuring many homemade items, stop in for dinner on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and do not miss our happiest hours featuring $2 off drinks from 5-7PM.

    We feature local performative talent every night but in diverse ways than a traditional drag lock would.
    Something for everyone isn't just a tag line...
    From trivia, karaoke, painting classes, spin classes, happiest hours, dinner shows, brunches, dwell bands, and comedy to entire club nights with two floors of dancing featuring local and guest DJ's and performative performers from across the country.