A Hell's Kitchen gay bar that opened during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic will close next month due to rising costs, its owner announced Monday.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve you all and our amazing community and work alongside some of the most talented people in the industry, and all of us at The Spot Bar are so grateful for your unwavering support,” owner Ted Arenas wrote in a letter posted to Instagram.
Ted told W42ST that he made the difficult decision to close The Spot Bar at 599 10th Avenue (between W43rd and 44th Sts.) due to declining customer traffic, rising insurance costs, inflation, and the rise of other LGBTQ venues in Hell's Kitchen putting a strain on the bar. Also making things worse was that Spot was on 10th Avenue, away from the bar-heavy 9th Avenue area.
“We hope that this closure will give other establishments in similar distress an opportunity to thrive,” Ted wrote in the letter, noting that his two other LGBTQ nightlife establishments, Rise Bar (9th Ave bw W55/56th St) and The Red Stash (9th Ave bw W52/53rd St), remain open.
When Spot Bar first opened in 2020, it faced fierce opposition and controversy from local residents.
Ted's original plan was to open a spot next door to another bar in Lansdowne that had just closed due to COVID-19, but Community Board 4 was unwilling to grant a liquor license to an establishment that had never had one before. Ultimately, Ted opened his spot in the location of the closed bar and gained the trust of the community.
“The respect and love I've gained from the community has been probably one of the best things that's come out of this,” Ted told W42T.
“It's become a safe place for LGBTQ people and our neighbors,” he added. “We're part of the community.”
Ted said some of The Spot's staff will remain at Rise Bar, but the closing day, Sunday August 11, will be the last night they'll all be together, with a farewell party starting at 9.30pm. Until then, the bar will continue with its usual programming.
Neighbors of Hell's Kitchen have been sharing their love for the Spot Bar with W42ST for years: “When we want to hear some good music, enjoy a cocktail, and see some neighborhood friends, we head to this fun bar on 10th Street,” retired medical professionals and wine lovers Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jensen told us last summer.
“This location will help expand our queer footprint in Hell's Kitchen. What could be better than our Musical Monday Show featuring Paige Turner, Evita Roca, Cacophony Daniels and Sutton Lee Seymour!” added drag artist Darius Rose, aka Jackie Cox.
“The Spot will live on forever in our hearts and the memories and friendships we made will be forever cherished,” Ted wrote in the letter.
