Dtla gay bar closes

I've heard so many lovely comments and appreciation for what Redline became. And, of course, I don't want to lose that. Photo close of Oliver Alpuche. Downtown LA gay bay Redline is shuttering its doors after nearly 10 years in operation. The cocktail bar and lounge opened in as a watering hole for queer and allied Angelenos.

Owner Oliver Alpuche traces the decision to close Redline back to the earliest days of the COVID pandemic, when businesses across LA struggled to stay afloat amid the socioeconomic uncertainty. Instead, he says the pandemic hindered, dtla part, the spirit of the community, and points to smaller crowds who often drank less on any given night.

They stayed the same. But after the shuttering of Bar Mattachine, a venue nearby that also catered to the queer community, Alpuche says traffic in the area decreased. Ultimately, after the pandemic, bar says the damage was done. That bigger picture comes with a promise, however, due to a new center of queer nightlife sitting on gay horizon.

The establishment, which is still under development, is called Kiso — and according to Alpuche, will be an even bigger space to dance, drink, and vibe the night away. The goodbyes will culminate on March 2 — the last night the Downtown LA gay bar will be open. Did you enjoy this piece?

We are member-supported, so your donation is critical to KCRW's music programming, news reporting, and cultural coverage. Help support the DJs, journalists, and staff of the station you love. KCRW Features. By Danielle Chiriguayo Feb. Here's how: Sign-up for our newsletters.

Gay bar Redline says ‘see you later’ after 10 years in business

Become a KCRW member. Subscribe to our Podcasts. Donate to KCRW. Download our App. Credits Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo.