Gay Life in Canadian Cities - Page 72

Chadillaccc · #**1421** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 3:32 AM**

Calgary is getting a new nightclub on the west end of Stephen Avenue. Currently an under-utilized area of the avenue. The area is set for revitalization with the redevelopment of the Barron Building and now the news of this club!

It'll be called "Backwards", and will be the first new bar since Sapien and The Eagle closed in 2012. I also have heard that a couple from Edmonton are looking at opening a new bar here too. Hoping it happens, would be great to have another bear/leather bar in the city again.

Bankview · #**1422** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 3:43 AM**

I've been HIV+ since I was 19 (I'm now 23) and I find that the stigma has decreased dramatically. I've had a vast array of sexual encounters with both poz and neg guys.

As long as you're mature, honest and upfront about your status you'll rarely have any issues. If you're someone who is that paranoid about the issue then I have no interest in you anyway.

I prefer open-minded and informed partners.

Hali87 · #**1423** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 4:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

It'll be called "Backwards", and will be the first new bar since Sapien and The Eagle closed in 2012.

By "first new bar" you mean first new gay bar, right? Or is it literally the first bar to open in that part of Calgary in a few years?

Chadillaccc · #**1424** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 4:49 AM**

Lol well I don't know how, in a city like Calgary, it could possibly be the first new bar in years

But yes, it's the first new gay bar since Sapien opened in like 2007 I think (closed in 2012 due to bad business model)

Hali87 · #**1425** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 5:02 AM**

Makes more sense. Were there other gay bars in the meantime?

Chadillaccc · #**1426** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 8:48 AM**

Since this is a gay thread, I don't see the need to call them "gay bars" they're just bars to me.

Yes, Calgary's a metro of nearly 1.5 million people, there's a few gay bars here. There used to be a lot from what I'm told, 10th Ave was almost a gay village at one point, but then integration and hookup apps happened and then a bunch of bars closed. The three that survived have been here quite a while. Really hate that The Eagle closed, even if it was for construction of the New Central Library. Calgary's gay community is very dispersed and doesn't really come together. The only sub-communities I've found here that are pretty good with organization and good events are the bear and cowboy communities.

Hali87 · #**1427** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 11:07 PM**

Honest question: are there any lesbian-oriented bars in Calgary (or anywhere in Canada)? The Company House in Halifax had a reputation as a "lesbian bar" when it first opened, but that seems to have faded into a larger hipster/activist/artist clientele (not necessarily majority-female) as it has grown in popularity as a music etc. venue.

SignalHillHiker · #**1428** Posted **Sep 30, 2015, 11:13 PM**

Not solely for lesbians, no.

We used to have an official lesbian bar - Rita's Place. It was opened after the first official gay bar in St. John's, Friends, which opened in 1974. Unofficial gay bars, though, or bars with gay nights, opened in the early 1960s.

Now we have two options for lesbians. The main gay bar, Velvet, has ladies nights. And there's also the Station Lounge, which hosts all the lesbian-organized lesbian parties (as a gay man, I often never even know they're happening). Its clientelle is typically lesbian even in between these parties, but not officially so.

Govertical · #**1429** Posted **Oct 1, 2015, 12:17 AM**

Outlink at the community resource centre has really been the only other place in Calgary where I've seen people come together besides pride and Backlot. That organization has really helped me a lot, which is why it is so sad that Outlink may dissolve entirely.

Chadillaccc · #**1430** Posted **Oct 2, 2015, 9:08 AM**

Why is Outlink on the verge of shutting down?

Oh, and there is yet another new gay bar in the works. No word on where or when yet though. However, I found out tonight that the couple behind the new 'Backwards' night club opening on Stephen Ave are the guys behind Evolution Wonderlounge in Edmonton. This gives me high hopes as Evolution is one of the few clubs I've ever had a really awesome time at.

Xelebes · #**1431** Posted **Oct 2, 2015, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hali87

Honest question: are there any lesbian-oriented bars in Calgary (or anywhere in Canada)? The Company House in Halifax had a reputation as a "lesbian bar" when it first opened, but that seems to have faded into a larger hipster/activist/artist clientele (not necessarily majority-female) as it has grown in popularity as a music etc. venue.

In Edmonton there was one on 101st Street north of what is now the Arena Entertainment District. With the passing of the owner of Boots and Saddles (bear and leather bar) and the subsequent closure, the owners of the lesbian bar sold their stakes there and re-opened Boots and Saddles as a pan bar known as Junction. This closed as the owner of the building decided to convert it into space for Lattitude 53, an arts gallery.

Govertical · #**1432** Posted **Oct 3, 2015, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Why is Outlink on the verge of shutting down?

It has been ratified, basically there was an incident of racism, and their board dissolved. But they just established a new group of members last night, and hopefully it will heal fast

Chadillaccc · #**1433** Posted **Oct 3, 2015, 7:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Govertical

It has been ratified, basically there was an incident of racism, and their board dissolved. But they just established a new group of members last night, and hopefully it will heal fast

That's great news!

A couple pics of last night's 16-act drag show at Backlot... so much fun!

Source: Me