The Stud is reopening in San Francisco.
The legendary queer bar, founded in 1966 and closed for the past three years, will reopen in SOMA just three blocks from its previous location. Occupying two adjoining buildings at 1123-1125 Folsom Street, the Stud is projected to open its doors in early 2024.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, drag performers, politicians and members of the Stud’s ownership collective spoke of how the historic LGBTQ+ venue’s second act will bolster San Francisco’s post-pandemic recovery.
“We looked long and hard to find a place that was worthy of the Stud’s legacy — a place that could bring us all together. A place that would be at the heart of our queer community. And a place where we could also make a difference,” said Stud co-owner Honey Mahogany, who began her career as a drag performer before entering politics.
Now the San Francisco Democratic Party chair, Mahogany led Tuesday’s press conference in pink, puffy sleeves and a Beyoncé-esque blond wig, flanked by Mayor London Breed, Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Drag Laureate and Oasis nightclub owner D’Arcy Drollinger.
![Two people, one wearing a cowboy hat, hug in an outdoor setting.](https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/RS68560_230905-TheStudReopening-01-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg)
“We all have heard the stories of the doom loop,” Mahogany continued, referencing news coverage focused on San Francisco’s homelessness and drug addiction crises. “South of Market, the mid-Market area has been really, really negatively impacted by the pandemic. And let’s be real, it’s always struggled a bit. But now this is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to rebuild and build back better.”