Halifax LGBTQ+ Establishments

Current Queer Establishments in Halifax

Halifax Establishments Friendly to the LGBTQ+ Community

This point is subject to interpretation.

Historical Overview of Queer Venues in Halifax

A historical record exists dating back to 1977, featured in the September issue of TheVoice.

Feel free to contribute your personal accounts and supplementary information!

• TheStockade, originating in the early 1970s, situated approximately at 2828 Windsor Street, close to Almon Street.
• ThePiccadilly, a venue from the mid-1970s.
• PeppermintLounge, active during the 1960s, located in the 1800 block of Barrington Street, opposite the current Scotia Square development.
• Cameo, also known as Candlelight Lounge, was a popular gathering spot that may have commenced operations in the late 1960s.
• TheHeidelberg served as a frequented establishment just off Spring Garden Road throughout the 1970s.
• NewServiceRestaurant?2
• LobsterTrap Cabaret3
• Two consecutive venues occupied the GreenLantern Building on Barrington Street during the early 1970s:
• The Turret on Barrington Street operated from 1975 until 1982. This establishment was under the ownership of the queer community and was previously known as GaeGala before relocating and undergoing a name change:
• Rumours, located at 1586 Granville St across from the Texpark, functioned from 1982 to 1985. Subsequently, it relocated to 2112 Gottingen Street and remained operational from 1987 until January 1995.
• [[Fantasias?]] within Scotia Square, officially registered (or owned?) by DanielJoseph from May 14, 1990. This venue possessed its own distinct entrance from Duke Street. In 1991, it was relocated and rebranded as TheStudio.
• A trio of bars, operating sequentially at 1537 Barrington, a short distance north of Maritime Mall:
  • The TheStudio, which was in operation from 1991 to 1996. This was a compact establishment adorned with numerous mirrors. Shortly after its inception, The Studio introduced a more expansive area behind the primary bar, designated for dancing and live performances. Additionally, The Studio offered a commendable dining experience.
  • The PurplePenguin, a venue that operated from late 1997 to 1998, featuring a dining component.
  • BuddiesBar, active from 1998 until the summer of 1999.
• ReflectionsCabaret, whose name was registered with the RJSC on November 5, 1996, possibly commencing operations around that year.
• A sequence of four establishments were situated in an upstairs location at 2104 Gottingen:
  • The RainbowRoom began operations in November 1997, subsequently undergoing a change in management to become:
  • the EagleHalifax from August 1998 until early 2001. This venue later relocated to Pizza Corner, and its history can be further explored there. Following the Eagle's relocation, the premises were occupied by the proprietor of ClubNrg, leading to its transformation into:
  • ToolBoxEast, catering to a similar clientele as the Eagle. This establishment ceased operations in early January 2005.
  • MenzBar, which commenced operations in early February 2005 and concluded in January 2008, intending to move to 2182 Gottingen Street.
  • The building at 2104 Gottingen was demolished in August 2008 as part of a condominium development and the Joe Palooka's Boxing Gym project.
• ZzhivagosBar, located in the Brewery, operated from late 1989 through the spring of 1990.
• MilleniumBar, situated at 2112 Gottingen, was operational from March 1999 to June 1999.
• StonewallTavern, found at 1566 Hollis St near Salter, was active during the mid-1990s.
• In 1995, for a brief period of a couple of months, LeCruz was situated in the former Cabbagetown disco space on Spring Garden Road.
• ClubNrg, located at 2099B Gottingen St, operated from 1999 until February 2005, at which point it relocated to 2215 Gottingen St.
• TheCompanyHouse, a hub for music and arts, was located at 2202 Gottingen Street from January 2009 to September 2017.
• The premises at 2215 Gottingen Street housed several venues:
  • From 2003 to February 2005, ClubVortex and MobeysEatery were present.
  • Between February 2005 and November 2005, ClubNrg operated, with the front area designated as ShowTunes.
  • In October 2005, the ground-floor front section was taken over by ChristopherRobinson? and JohnDickinson?, leading to the opening of BlueMoonBistro. The rear portion of the building subsequently became Flux, an after-hours club.
  • In November 2005, PeterMoll inaugurated EvolutionCabaret on the second floor, which concluded its operations in July 2006.
  • By April 2006, the back section of BlueMoonBistro was repurposed into a bar open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
  • In July 2006, BlueMoonBistro relocated (and was rebranded as BlueMoon) to 2099B Gottingen St, exchanging premises with Diamonds. It remained under the ownership of JohnDickinson?. Following several changes in ownership, the bar ceased operations in February 2009.
• MenzBar, a venue that existed from 2005 to 2020.
• ReflectionsCabaret, initially a gay bar, transformed into a dance bar primarily frequented by individuals under thirty years of age, situated at 5184 Sackville Street.
• IndulgeNightclub commenced operations in October 2022, taking over the former location of MenzBar. In August 2023, a temporary closure was announced for relocation purposes, with no subsequent updates provided.

Historical Project Task List

• LynnMurphy has suggested: "One should not overlook the Highwayman, located on Barrington Street near Scotia Square."

Numerous additional details can be uncovered by perusing back issues of Halifax's LGBTQ+ print media.

This compilation is a component of the HistoryProject.