Babes of Carytown

Last updated
Babes of Carytown
Babes of Carytown.jpg
Babes of Carytown
Address Richmond, Virginia
U.S.
TypeLGBTQ bar
Opened1979

Babes of Carytown is an LGBTQ friendly bar, founded in 1979 as a lesbian bar, and located in Richmond, Virginia. [1] [2] [3] It is known for its beach volleyball court, live music, and drag shows. [4] [5] [6] It is Richmond's only lesbian-focused bar, and one of fewer than twenty remaining in the country. [7]

Contents

From 2011 through 2016, it was the first place Reader's Pick in Style Weekly for Best Gay Bar. [8] In 2017, Babes was inducted into the Style Weekly Hall of Fame. [9] It then tied for first place as the Style Weekly Reader's Pick in 2018, and then was the first place Reader's pick from 2019 through 2021. [10]

In 2017, it was selected by Thrillist as Virginia's best dive bar and in 2022 was recognized by Tasting Table as among the best LGBTQ bars in the nation. [11] [12]

In a 2017 report prepared for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources LGBTQ Heritage Working Group, Babes is described as "a rare survivor from the pre-1991 period, during which the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regularly shut down establishments that served or employed LGBTQ individuals." [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay bar</span> Drinking establishment catered to LGBT clientele

A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+) clientele; the term gay is used as a broadly inclusive concept for LGBTQ+ communities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyke march</span> Lesbian-led gathering and protest march

A dyke march is a lesbian visibility and protest march, much like the original Gay Pride parades and gay rights demonstrations. The main purpose of a dyke march is the encouragement of activism within the lesbian and sapphic community. Dyke marches commonly take place the Friday or Saturday before LGBT pride parades. Larger metropolitan areas usually have several Pride-related happenings both before and after the march to further community building; with social outreach to specific segments such as older women, women of color, and lesbian parenting groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ Victory Fund</span> United States political action committee

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, commonly shortened to Victory Fund, is an American political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ public officials in the United States. Victory Fund is the largest LGBTQ+ political action committee in the United States and one of the nation's largest non-connected PACs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carytown, Richmond, Virginia</span> Retail district in Richmond, Virginia, US

Carytown is an urban retail district in Richmond, Virginia; it is along Cary Street at the southern end of the Museum District. Located west of the historic Fan District, Carytown has an eclectic flavor and includes more than 230 shops, restaurants, and offices. The Byrd Theatre, a restored movie palace that has operated continuously since 1928, is located in this district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay icon</span> Public figure highly regarded and beloved by the LGBT community

A gay icon is a public figure who is regarded as a cultural icon by members of the LGBT community. Such figures usually have a devoted LGBT fanbase and act as allies to the LGBT community, often through their work, or they have been "openly appreciative of their gay fanbase". Many gay icons also have a camp aesthetic style, which is part of their appeal to LGBT individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon</span>

LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon is an important part of Pacific Northwest culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in New York City</span>

New York City has been described as the gay capital of the world and the central node of the LGBTQ+ sociopolitical ecosystem, and is home to one of the world's largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ populations. Brian Silverman, the author of Frommer's New York City from $90 a Day, wrote the city has "one of the world's largest, loudest, and most powerful LGBT communities", and "Gay and lesbian culture is as much a part of New York's basic identity as yellow cabs, high-rise buildings, and Broadway theatre". LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". LGBT advocate and entertainer Madonna stated metaphorically, "Anyways, not only is New York City the best place in the world because of the queer people here. Let me tell you something, if you can make it here, then you must be queer."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesbian bar</span> Drinking establishment catering to lesbians

A lesbian bar is a drinking establishment that caters exclusively or predominantly to lesbian women. While often conflated, the lesbian bar has a history distinct from that of the gay bar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Rio (gay bar)</span> Gay bar in San Francisco, United States

El Rio is a gay bar located at 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, California. It was the first gay bar to debut queer salsa in San Francisco. El Río was established in 1978 as a Leather Brazilian Gay Bar and has been recognized as a Legacy Business by the San Francisco Small Business Commission. El Rio is best known for supporting the community by providing a space for community gatherings, LGBT performances, diverse forms of music and dancing, and offering a space for community fundraising events.

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor is a memorial wall in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, dedicated to LGBTQ "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes". Located inside the Stonewall Inn, the wall is part of the Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to the country's LGBTQ rights and history. The first fifty nominees were announced in June 2019, and the wall was unveiled on June 27, 2019, as a part of Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019 events. Five honorees will be added annually.

Various lesbian flags have been used to symbolise the lesbian community. Since 1999, many designs have been proposed and used. Although personal preferences exist, as well as various controversies, no design has been widely accepted by the community as the lesbian flag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Therapy (New York City)</span> Defunct gay bar and nightclub in Manhattan, New York, U.S.

Therapy was a two-story gay bar and nightclub in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It hosted frequent drag shows, some of which featured performers who later rose to prominence on RuPaul's Drag Race. The venue was a favorite Monday-night stop for Broadway actors, who sometimes participated in the club's shows. Like other New York City nightlife establishments, Therapy was ordered to close temporarily in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July of that year, the venue's owner announced that it was unlikely to reopen, citing financial troubles. Therapy's atmosphere, drink selection, food and entertainment have generally received positive remarks from critics.

Graymont is a historic mansion in Richmond, Virginia, US. The house, located near the Carytown District, was the childhood home of the socialite Tinsley Mortimer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesbian Bar Project</span> Campaign to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars"

The Lesbian Bar Project is a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the US." The project launched on October 28, 2020 with a PSA video narrated by Lea DeLaria that announced a 30-day fundraising campaign to support what were thought to be the last 15 lesbian bars left in the country, many of which were financially threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A second phase followed in June 2021 in connection with Pride Month, including the release of a short documentary, and a three-part docuseries was released on National Coming Out Day 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JR's Bar and Grill</span> Gay bar in Houston, Texas, U.S.

JR's Bar and Grill is a gay bar in Neartown, Houston, in the U.S. state of Texas. Charles Armstrong is the owner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Triangle Players</span> Theatre company in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Triangle Players (RTP) is a nonprofit, professional theatre company located in Richmond, Virginia that produces programming rooted in queer experiences and supports the development of queer artistry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oilcan Harry's</span> Gay bar in Austin, Texas, U.S.

Oilcan Harry's is the oldest operating LGBTQ+ bar in Austin, Texas, United States.

LGBT-, or queer-owned businesses are businesses owned and often operated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They may also be described as being owned by specific subgroups, such as gay-, lesbian-, or trans-owned businesses.

References

  1. ↑ Marschak, Beth; Lorch, Alex (2008). Lesbian and Gay Richmond. Arcadia Publishing. p. 108. ISBN   978-0-7385-5368-9.
  2. ↑ Holter, Emily (January 21, 2019). "Back-Of-The-House Babes: Richmond Women Dominate Their Work In a Male-Dominated Restaurant Industry". RVA Magazine . Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  3. ↑ Hand, Clare (February 4, 2020). "Dyke Nightlife Diary: Babe's Of Carytown, Virginia's Unexpectedly Lit LGBTQ+ Bar". GO . Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  4. ↑ Jones, Terri L. (2016-11-21). "Richmond Bar Guide: Fun & Games". richmondmagazine.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Heil, Meredith (2020-06-30). "Richmond's Babe's of Carytown Provides a Campy Escape from the Everyday". Wine Enthusiast . Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Key, Michael (January 26, 2012). "You don't have to go far to get away". Washington Blade . Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  7. ↑ Egan, Maureen (2010-09-14). Insiders' Guide® to Richmond, VA. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 104. ISBN   978-0-7627-6677-2 . Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Reviews of Babes
  9. ↑ "Best Gay Bar 2017". Style Weekly . Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  10. ↑ References:
  11. ↑ Kryza, Andy; Lynch, Matt (15 September 2017). "The Best Dive Bar in Every State". Thrillist . Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  12. ↑ Dykes, Carrie (2022-06-07). "The Best LGBTQ+ Bars In The US" . Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  13. ↑ Shevchenko, Yelyzaveta (November 2017). "Reconnaissance Survey of LGBTQ Architectural Resources in the City of Richmond" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources LGBTQ Heritage Working Group. Virginia Department of Historic Resources . Retrieved 22 November 2022.

37°33′14″N77°28′56″W / 37.55387°N 77.48236°W / 37.55387; -77.48236


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.