Gay bars springfield illinois
Downtown Springfield gay bar to close soon ahead of 'demolition,' says management
Over the weekend, one of Springfield's three gay bars announced that its long-anticipated closure would happen in about a month.
According to a statement posted to Touché Nightclub's Facebook account soon Saturday evening, the bar's last day of business will be in four to six weeks, "due to the impending demolition of our building."
"This will highlight the end of decades of history for this community," the announcement stated.
But the owner of Touché's downtown building, Jack Ballew, said Monday that while the real estate is under contract for sale, the sale has not yet closed.
Ballew said that he does not recognize when the buyer, a Springfield-based development firm called the Vecino Group, plans to tear down the building.
The property is worth $, for the building and its half-acre site, according to the Greene County Assessor's appraisal.
Seeking information on when demolition might arise, the News-Leader reached out to a Vecino Collective official three times for this report but has not yet heard back.
Reached by the News-Leader on Monday, Touché manager Jacob Welch said that he and the bar s
Upcoming Mega Events Nearby
Springfield, the capital city of Illinois holds a rooted history that goes beyond its political significance. In terms of the lgbtq+Q+ group Springfield provides an inclusive atmosphere. While it may not boast the queer districts found in larger cities Springfields lgbtq+Q+ group is close knit, supportive and engaged.
The city hosts events throughout the year with Springfield PrideFest entity a standout occasion. This annual celebration embraces treasure, inclusivity and diversity. Attracts attendees from all across the region. Featuring a parade live music performances and local vendors it's a day filled with happiness and solidarity.
Several establishments in Springfield cater to the population. For example Club Station House is a liked gay prevent renowned for its lively drag shows, dance nights and themed gatherings. It's a place where everyone can unwind and own a fun filled evening.
Additionally the Phoenix Center acts as a hub for Springfields lgbtq+Q+ community. Providing resources, support services and organizing events are among its functions, in nurturing a sense of collective and connection.
Stay updated with gay events in Sprin
PHOTO BY MICHELLE OWNBEY
Duane Williams and Jaime Estell plan to expose Fluid at E. Jefferson St.
Downtown Springfield will get a new addition to the bar scene when Duane Williams and Jaime Estell open Fluid next month.
“I’ve been a hairdresser for 26 years and owned a couple of salons,” said Williams. “I turned 50 this year, and I decided instead of buying a sports car for a midlife crisis, I’d open a bar.”
Estell said, “I have a lot of experience in the bar industry – being behind the block, as a DJ… my heart has been in wanting to own a bar as well.”
The business partners have signed a lease for the main floor space at E. Jefferson St., which Williams said has been vacant for many years.
“It’s been a hidden gem for quite some time; there hasn’t been anything in it,” he said. “The décor was stuck in the 80s, so we had to make some improvements to it. But it will have a brand-new bar, flooring, paint, all that. One of the south-facing walls is all windows, so it’s a great place to remain and watch what’s going on in the city.”
As for the identify, Williams said it is a play on the term gender-fluid.
“In today’s society, the gender norms are so vari
I started living openly gay in I lived in a house in Laketown and I moved my lover in with me and my sons. Many in the same-sex attracted community seemed unimpressed by my story. I don't understand that. Maybe it's because they were accustomed to such things, and I was in my late 30s and used to a straight animation. Maybe they thought, "Well, what did she expect?" To me it was a shock. The monitoring things happened: My children suffered taunting and playfulness. It seemed the neighbors waged a war against us by constant harassment. Someone reported us to the city for trumped-up violations like sticks in our yard, overturned trash not picked up fast enough and so on. I got letters from the city. Nighttime handset calls started. I understand there were other, quieter, gays in Laketown who appeared unbothered. I eventually sold the house at a big loss and left. Whatever the neighbors did to us, there was no law against wanting a queer out of your neighborhood. People who didn't even recognize me hated me. I realized with a new clarity that we were alone.
Then my ex-husband got a lawyer and tried to take my sons away from me. We finally split the boys up, one lived with him and the other with me. That was
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