Massachusetts lesbian bar faces boycott after lifting face mask rule
Massachusetts lesbian bar faces potential business-ending boycott after lifting face mask mandate (Envato)
A lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, says it is facing boycotts and online backlash that has put the venue’s future at risk after making masks optional on Saturday nights.
‘Last Ditch Bar’ made Saturday nights mask-optional from 31 August, while keeping masks required on other days. The change was reportedly intended to boost business after financial strain.
In a social media announcement on 31 August, the venue wrote: “It is with love we inform our immunocompromised disabled divas we will be opening Saturday nights as mask optional.” The decision prompted anger from some members of the local queer community, including calls to boycott.
The bar later apologised for the tone of its messaging, writing: “We are sorry for our passive and dismissive tone of our change to the norms and schedule impacting the most intersectional of us.”
The apology post didn’t land well with their followers due to a lack of alt text. Comments included: “This is not an accessible post,” and: “It indicates the lack of care or interest in Disability intersectionality.”
Community meeting turns emotional
A community meeting on 11 September was held to address the controversy, with some participants joining via Zoom to voice their opinions on the new mask mandate.
During the meeting, Jackie Matellian, the bar’s last remaining owner after the other two owners quit months earlier, became emotional while speaking about the pressure she was under.
“It was not my passion project,” Matellian said. She said she had been left responsible for a $50,000 business loan, and had been living in a car for six months while working four jobs. “I never really wanted this,” she added. “I don’t think I’m doing a very good job.”
This community meeting was not able to bring forth a resolution.
Why the stakes feel so high
Last Ditch Bar opened in 2025 and had previously maintained a longstanding mask requirement before introducing the Saturday night change on 31 August.
Lesbian bars have sharply declined in number across the US over recent decades, making surviving venues culturally and historically significant. Queer bars often function as informal community centres as well as nightlife venues, hosting mutual-aid events, fundraisers and political organising. COVID-era safety norms have been especially prominent in some queer and disabled communities, sometimes creating friction with commercial realities, and online call-out culture can rapidly affect small hospitality businesses.
The Boston Globe also reported that the bar’s landlord was reportedly demanding $3,900 in backrent by the end of September.
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