Petrelis Files

Death of Gay Bars?
New Leather Bar May Open in San Francisco

The latest news story about the decline, and maybe eventual death, according to some pundits, of gay bars hit the pages of the Boston Globe this week. I've lost count of how many such stories have appeared in 2007, and certainly have no idea how many bars hit the dust recently.

And out here in the city that always has to do gay life and culture in its own unique way, there may be not just a gay bar opening soon, but one catering to the leather crowd.

San Francisco's gay bar and cruising scenes have evolved and expanded, especially because of our early and enthusiastic embrace of the web to meet each other, and I hear it said that we don't need bars, or baths for that matter, when net cruising is so easy.

But I'm an old-fashioned queen about supporting commercial venues geared toward sexual action, either on premises or at home, so I'm pleased to see a move afoot to get a new club going on Folsom Street.

From David Morgan, the man behind the new bar:

Chaps II San Francisco, to hopefully open soon at 1225 Folsom Street, between 8th & 9th -- this was the original Ramrod back in the 70's and is part of the historical "Miracle Mile," the heart of leather SOMA known around the world.

We are in the process of purchasing this bar space, and will keep you updated with the progress. [...]

Why CHAPS II? The original Chaps bar was located at 375 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison, where DNA Longue is currently located. The "II" signifies the bar will recreate the spirit of the original Chaps, but with a very modern twist for today. We'll take what was the essence of a traditional leather bar and create something new for current and future generations. [...]

We plan many innovations that will set this leather bar apart from other leather bars past and present. [...]

This bar -- when you walk in, gear will not be a party or event, it will be every day. It starts from the top -- from the owner's gearing up, to all the bartenders, to the patrons. It's not a special event -- it's part of our lives and we live it. It's not dress up, we gear up all the time.

Sounds all good and things seem set for the bar to get going, right? Yes, but there's a kink in plans.

Venerable leather columnist and longtime activist Mr. Marcus Hernandez, reported last week in his influential Bay Area Reporter column:

David Morgan (the catalyst of the Men in Gear affair) and his partner, Steve Abramson, are having a somewhat difficult time convincing Southern Station Captain Daniel McDonagh and the permit officer that a leather bar is not the type of bar that would be the center of gang activity, stabbings, and shootings such as is occurring on the 11th Street corridor.

They even suggested a 2300 closing time for this new bar, which is so ridiculous no one can believe it. I'd like to know how many bars in San Francisco are forced to close at that hour.

Morgan and Abramson have been making the rounds of various officials in San Francisco and seek support from many of you. It is apparent that the leather bar concept is a complete mystery to the Southern Station and the permit officer and their perception(s) of such a bar are completely alien to them.

The record of intervention by police and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control list the 1225 Folsom Street location (formerly My Place) as a place of public sexual activity and they are reluctant to see this type of activity occur again.

I'm not! Count me among the few who think gay life ought to include many choices for our relationships and friendships. From the privilege of being an adult male, going to a bar for a beer and a dick in the backroom or toilet, to web sites, to marriage, and everything in between, myriad choices should be on the gay lifestyle menu.

Regardless of what I want, when the Chaps II bar opens, you can be sure the nanny state will be monitoring the place. Alcohol control authorities, the health department and the police force, not to mention all the outreach workers from AIDS groups, will all be there.

Maybe Santa will bring all the good boys and Daddies of San Francisco a spanking new S/M leather bar!