A new queer bar is set to open in Halifax later this month, adding to the city’s growing list of LGBTQ+ establishments following a slowdown during the pandemic. Michael Gouthro is launching Backlot HFX at 2103 Gottingen St., aiming to provide a diverse experience for patrons. The venue, previously housing Driftwood Coastal Diner and once a gay bar known as Club NRG, holds historical significance on Gottingen Street, which has been home to several queer hotspots over the years.
Menz & Mollyz was the last standing bar until its closure in April 2020, coinciding with Reflections Cabaret shutting down on Salter Street. Backlot will join Rumours Lounge & Cabaret and Stardust Bar + Kitchen as the third dedicated LGBTQ+ spot to open in Halifax in recent years.
According to Fiona Kerr, the executive director of Halifax Pride, the city boasts a vibrant queer community with many performers and event organizers who previously lacked queer-specific venues. Kerr highlighted the need for more LGBTQ+ spaces in Halifax, especially as general performance venues decline.
Gouthro plans to kick off Backlot with offerings like drinks, pool, and dancing, with future plans to introduce drag shows and musical performances. Kelly Bingham, from Stardust, mentioned that while queer bars may compete for a share of the market, the demand for LGBTQ+ spaces in Halifax is strong, and the success of one establishment is unlikely to detract from others.
The rise of queer venues in Halifax is seen as a positive development by the community, providing more options for people to connect and celebrate within safe and inclusive environments.