Lesbian bar in Massachusetts closes after mask policy row

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 21:44 · Archive

Last Ditch Bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, is closing after backlash over its decision to make masks optional on Saturday nights.

Last Ditch Bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, announced its closure after facing significant online backlash over a mask policy change. The bar, which opened in 2025 and required patrons to wear N95 masks, sparked viral outrage when it proposed making masks optional on Saturday nights, which critics said was insufficiently careful in addressing immunocompromised patrons' concerns. The backlash included around 400 comments accusing the venue of not taking COVID seriously, with some online users making extreme statements. This occurred despite Greenfield having no reported COVID cases for two months at the time, according to Metro.

The bar announced on Instagram that it would 'soft close' immediately while honouring all booked events. The owners stated they had put their lives on hold to foster community networks but said it was time to pass the business on. The bar owners appealed for new co-owners or someone willing to buy the business outright, estimating its assets at around $70,000. Daily Mail reports that the bar also lacks a board or leadership team to manage a transition to worker-owner cooperative status and needs new owners before potentially closing for good this winter, though an exact date remains unclear.

How it is being reported

• Massachusetts lesbian bar makes frantic effort to find new owners after relaxing masking policyLast Ditch bar announced it would ‘soft close’ after it went viral following a story on its attempt to relax Covid rules A Massachusetts lesbian bar that went viral for loosening its Covid mask policy last month announced plans to “soft close” on Monday as it seeks new ownership. The Last Ditch bar, in the small city of Greenfield, said in an Instagram post that it was searching for co-owners, new owners or a full sale, and that it would “soft close effective immediately”, with “only booked events” continuing while it closes this winter. It had opened just last year as a bar for “dykes…Guardian World · 26 Oct, 22:39
• Lesbian bar in Massachusetts that sparked wild outrage in woke Covid mask war announces it's closing for goodThe Last Ditch Bar, which serves the queer community in Greenfield, announced on social media Monday that it is ending its regular hours and looking for someone to take over the business.Daily Mail · 26 Oct, 21:30
• Viral COVID-conscious lesbian bar announces closure after online dramaThe Massachusetts bar opened in 2025 (Picture: Last Ditch Bar Instagram) A Lesbian bar which went viral after announcing it would offer one night for patrons not to wear an N-95 mask has ‘soft launched’ its closure. The Last Ditch bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, only opened its doors last year…Metro · 26 Oct, 20:33

In this story: Last Ditch Bar · Greenfield · Massachusetts · Boston Globe

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