Dani’s Queer Bar opened in Boston last month, becoming the city’s first lesbian bar in decades. The venue, designed as a space for Sapphic, trans, and non-binary community members, was in the works for over two years before opening its doors. Thais Rocha, the founder, hosted parties for queer women prior to the bar’s establishment and successfully raised funds through a campaign to create a physical space.
The bar received support from Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, eventually opening after permit delays on September 12. Stevie Dickie, who attended the grand opening with her girlfriend, expressed joy at finally having a dedicated space in Boston for queer women and trans/nonbinary individuals. Before Dani’s, the city had been lacking a lesbian bar for at least two decades.
The resurgence of lesbian bars in the U.S. is attributed to factors like gentrification, misogyny in small-business loans, and the gender pay gap. The existence of these spaces is considered essential for providing shelter, community, and like-minded connections for queer women.
Renee Gannon, who uses they/them pronouns, visited Dani’s after an eight-hour kayaking trip, reflecting on the importance of having a reliable physical space for LGBTQ gatherings. Kristen Porter, a leader in Boston’s lesbian community, praised the opening of Dani’s as a significant step towards inclusion and providing a permanent space for LGBTQ patrons to gather.
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