509 area spokane gay bar
The downtown Spokane nightclub Stray and its 509 Ultra Lounge are no more.
The gay/alternative lifestyle bar at 415 W. Sprague
Stray, which was located at 415 W. Sprague, is gone after less then 15 months.
Stray, adjacent to the Satellite Diner & Lounge, was known for its drag shows, DJs, karaoke and dance parties — it made the highest three among area move clubs, as voted upon by Inlander readersearlier this year — as adequately as a dress code that generally left it up to bartenders what they wore at work: usually, that resulted in the bar staff wearing only underwear; bras and booty shorts for female bartenders, and boxer shorts for the bare-chested males.
While Stray catered to Spokane's LGBTQ community, its clientele certainly was not exclusively gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and it was known as a place where anyone who valued other patrons was welcome. A big draw was the thrice-weekly drag shows featuring the ensemble Le Gurlz, led by Spokane's best-known drag queen, Nova Kaine(aka Ja
Spokane’s guide to Pride: Where and how to celebrate this June
Pride celebrations in the Inland Northwest have kicked off with a bang and show no signs of stopping after the month of June.
Interested in celebrating, but not sure where to go? Here’s a guide to some of the biggest pride events near Spokane this summer.
Spokane Pride
As the only event that takes up the entirety of Riverfront Park, Spokane Parade has a lot to offer.
Its pride will kick off noon June 14 in downtown Spokane, while the festivities at Riverfront Park officially begin at 1 p.m.
Entertainers will be scattered at five stages throughout the park, and a dedicated Youth Zone will be located by the Clock tower with activities catered toward 13- to 18-year-olds.
Spokane Pride will also host its first Stonewall Rally, a peaceful protest and homage to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that triggered the modern LGBTQ+ movement. This will obtain place at 4 p.m. in front of the Red Wagon.
It’s difficult to estimate how many people will demonstrate up. Last year, the event attendance was so grand that the cell phone towers in the area were not completely operational, Executive Director Matthew Danielson said.
As for rec
The Globe Bar & Kitchen changes concept, expands menu
As the coronavirus pandemic has forced nightclubs to shut and restricted how restaurants operate, one Spokane establishment has found a way to adapt.
The Globe Exclude & Kitchen, at 204 N. Division St,. has changed its concept from bar and nightclub to an all-inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly restaurant.
The new concept allows the Globe to remain in business while providing a safe dining experience for patrons during the COVID-19 outbreak, owner Scott Wilburn said.
“Operating with the modern concept has worked really well,” Wilburn said. “Our current clientele has really embraced it. They are coming in regularly and enjoying the food, and we still have our signature cocktails.”
Prior to the pandemic, the Globe served food, but generated a large amount of revenue from alcohol sales after 10 p.m. If the Globe didn’t pivot to a new concept, “revenue would have been next to nothing” under current coronavirus-related restrictions requiring that alcohol service end at 10 p.m., Wilburn said.
The Globe’s shift from nightclub to all-inclusive dining establishment is also about expanding its reach to the LGBTQ community, Wilburn said.
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