The 15-person collective behind The Stud announced on social media this week that the San Francisco LGBTQIA+ bar will open in its new location on April 20th.
When The Stud closed in 2020, a collective wailing felt palpable. The Stud, which was San Francisco’s oldest still-operating queer bar — having opened in 1966, The Stud was 54 years young before it held its cheeky “funeral” service on May 31st of 2020; it was at its 9th and Harrison streets address for 33 of those years — was an institution, beloved by queerdos. The Stud was far more than just a nightclub; it was a popular safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to let loose and embrace their most authentic selves that society otherwise tried to suppress.
It’s of little surprise that news of the business reopening at a new address was welcomed (and wildly celebrated) by past bar patrons.
The Stud’s future home — the third in the bar’s history — sits within the city’s Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District, where much of the same aesthetics are echoed.
(Mind you, sans the iconic outdoor mural that was besmeared over by the new landlords of The Stud’s past location; despite a lawsuit opened by the six artists responsible for The Stud’s famous, expensive outdoor painting, the case later failed in a California district court after the sitting judge, Edward Chen, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, City Commercial Investments LLC, citing a lack of promised “removability” of the artwork and that consent was not granted by the building’s original owners for the mural’s construction.)
On April 20th, the public will have a chance to see just how well The Stud’s prior ambiance reverberates around the new space at 1123-1125 Folsom Street during its official grand opening
“It’s finally happening,” reads a captioned post on Instagram by the collective announcing the news. “Save the date for the Stud’s grand opening on Saturday, April 20th!”
Sideways glances of The Stud’s newest iteration have been posted on the bar’s official Instagram since news of its rebirth was announced in September of last year; the two-building layout was an initial point of worry, but filmed tours of the space show a decorated hallway joining the spaces where gender-neutral bathrooms saddle the walkway.
As of publishing, no more details around the grand opening have been revealed, but they’re expected to “come soon.” Nevertheless, you best believe the date is already in our calendars — underlined, bolded, highlighted, and italicized.
The Stud launched a crowdfunding effort in tandem with announcing news of its upcoming location. The still-active campaign on Givebutter has raised over $71,000 of its lofty $500,000 goal to help fund renovations, reopening expenses, and other costs associated with operating the bar’s newest iteration; those interested in donating can do so by clicking here.
