Barracuda Bar Is Closing – The Decline of Queer Spaces

TENz has been chronicling the decline of queer spaces over the last few years, and recent spike of closures in 2025. This weekend saw the closure of Barracuda Bar, the longtime Chelsea drag hot spot with a nearly 30 year history.

The community pumped down to W 22nd on Sunday after news of the closure spread, including former hosts Bob The Drag Queen, Peppermint, Mila Jam and current host Pixie Aventura to honor the bar’s long drag show legacy before “Last Call”.

Photos J Wilson – @jwilson77

A luxury condo construction project at the site of the massive Cinépolis Chelsea movie theater, which closed in 2023 and shares a wall with the bar, has significantly damaged Barracuda’s interior and made it “impossible to conduct business as usual,” according to a statement from Barracuda owner Bob Pontarelli.

Their long running drag competition show, Star Search, hosted by Mona Foot, Peppermint, Tina Burner and Kizha Carr, became a launchpad for generations of new queens in NYC.

With the current rise of closures we suggest you get outside to enjoy and support experiences you love.