After 20 Years, Chelsea Gay Bar G Lounge to Close

CHELSEA, NY — After 20 years in business, beloved neighborhood bar G Lounge will be closing its doors. In a Facebook post earlier today, the lounge posted the message: "IM SAD TO SAY AFTER 20 YEARS G LOUNGE IS CLOSING ITS DOOR PERMANENTLY. WE WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PATRONAGE AND EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION OF OUR TEAM OVER THE YEARS. COME JOIN THE STAFF ON OUR FINAL WEEKS WE LOVE YOU AND SEE YOU SOON."

The announcement has been met with an outpouring of sadness and support for the lounge, known for its Frozen Cosmo drink special and party nights. One Facebook poster simply commented: "OH. MY. GAWD."

A spokesperson for City Councilman Corey Johnson, a Democrat who represents Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen and the West Village, expressed dismay at the news when he was alerted to it.

And Johnson himself said via email: "It's the end of an era."

Johnson, who is gay, told the New York Times last year that rising costs for both homes and businesses have driven out Chelsea’s once thriving gay community.

“Chelsea has become much less gay,” said Johnson. “People started moving to Hell’s Kitchen, and now people are going to the outer boroughs.”

G-Lounge follows a string of Chelsea gay clubs that have closed in recent years; previous losses include Splash, Champs, Rome, King, The Break, XL, XES, The Roxy, View Bar and Rawhide.

G-Lounge remains open through the end of the year from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m daily. Friends and well-wishers are invited to come say goodbye to the lounge on its final opening night — New Year’s Eve.

Image via G-Lounge