Lafayette safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community

Across the river, the Spot Tavern, a bar; and Eleventh House, a coffee shop; seek to build community with an emphasis on inclusivity and art. The independent and locally owned spaces are dedicated to working with other local artists and businesses, to foster a safe environment for all.

Spot Tavern

Kat Holiday, manager of Spot Tavern at 409 S. 4th St., recalled growing up in Lafayette and not realizing how much the community had to offer until moved back home after living in Arizona.

“I can see that there is so much more of it (community engagement) now than I ever have in my adulthood,” she said. “Whether it wasn't present before or I just wasn't aware of it … having this space here I think helps enable all of those groups to also come together.”

Similar to Holiday, Kirsten Gibson, a Lafayette local, said she grew more aware of Spot and other community safe spaces as she got older.

“It's a grassroots effort here. I think that that's one of the coolest things about it, like I said, because people are just so committed,” Gibson said. “But it's difficult, you are up against, you know, sort of a more conservative political apparatus.”

Holiday said she started working at Spot in 2020. Because of the pandemic, there were not a lot of opportunities for community and connection indoors, but as the vaccines came out, Spot’s back patio enabled them to plan events again.

“We just tried to create events and work with other folks in town who wanted to organize events (to) create a safe environment for COVID,” Holiday said.

Spot has worked with community organizations such as Pride Lafayette, Younger Women’s Task Force and the Hoosier Abortion Fund.

“That's a big reason why I became more connected to folks in the community who are trying to do specific events,” Holiday said.

Glancing around, the walls are covered in colorful paintings experimenting with shape and color in abstract ways. Paul Baldwin, the owner, is a huge supporter of the arts, Holiday said.

Their current display is by local artist Luke Gumaelius. Holiday said Gumaelius had created the featured pieces for another art gallery and after the gallery, his art needed a home and the Spot was a perfect fit.

Featured artists tend to be local, Holiday said.

“It's been a nice mix of different local folks who are looking for space to display their work and we don't take any commissions or anything like that,” she said. “So it's kind of a different set up than normal, which I think speaks to how the Spot tries to function in general. We're an open venue and open space for people.”

The appreciation for art carries on with their live music.

Gibson said her favorite memories at Spot were attending concerts on their back patio.

“It was just like a nice summer night and the band was so good,” she said. “Everyone felt really connected.”

Phoenix LaLopa, a bartender at Spot, highlighted a Blaze Foley concert as one of her favorites Spot has hosted.

“It was like he was speaking to each person individually,” he said.

LaLopa said the bar hosts “different flavors” of concerts: DJs, niche groups and smaller intimate shows.

“One day you might have a very intimate experience and then the next day you'll have a very high energy experience,” he said.

Some of the most touching memories he has from working at the Spot involve talking to a diverse group of people, some who had been to the bar back in the 1970s.

“I've talked to a guy who came here in the '70s. When it was more rough and tumble. It was like a biker bar,” LaLopa said. “ I asked that guy about his experiences, and he was able to tell me what the bar used to be like.”

One of the things that makes the Spot so special is that despite being gone a long time and returning to a new environment, the man LaLopa spoke to still felt comfortable and fit in, LaLopa said.

“I think one of the biggest things that stood out about the Spot is that it's eclectic and I think is represented by the people who come here by the music we play (and) by the art on the walls,” he said. “I think when you come to the Spot we're not trying to tell you how to feel about the space or what the space is … That it is kind of your decision to decide for yourself.”

Eleventh House

Like the Spot, Eleventh House is decorated with all kinds of art, from murals on walls to doodles on tables. Posters for upcoming local concerts hang on the walls.

Eleventh House is a Lafayette coffee shop at 116 N. 3rd St. that also hosts local musical acts.

Gianna Fristoe opened Eleventh House in August 2020 by renting space inside Spot Tavern during the day.

“We really wanted to focus on having shows and creating a space where people can really come together somewhere that's comfortable for all ages,” she said.

The coffee shop has given her 7-year-old step daughter the opportunity to socialize and make memories with everyone at Eleventh House.

“I think that especially downtown Lafayette is an amazing community. One that I'm super proud to be a part of,” Fristoe said. “I think in order to have a positive impact on your community … you have to believe in your community.”

She recalled how the Spot’s owner, Baldwin, provided her the opportunity to open Eleventh House inside the Spot.

After receiving incredible support from the community, Fristoe and Eleventh House wanted to give back. In the past, Eleventh House has hosted local artists and partnered with different local businesses, she said.

“The role that we like to play or want to play in our community is being a space where people can kind of showcase what they're doing because I do think that people are doing cool stuff in Lafayette,” she said. “And now they just want to make sure that that's something that gets seen and known.”

Support is a huge part of the work environment. Eleventh House typically has a small but tight-knit staff, Fristoe said.

“Somebody told me yesterday too, that they stay at this job because there is that sense of family that exists,” she said. “There's that sense of family that is kind of irreplaceable.”

After their recent move to an independent location, it’s taken Eleventh House a moment to get back on their feet, Fristoe said. But now they’re interested in hosting more events of all kinds.

“We've had metal shows here. Yeah, you know, Midwest Emo,” she said. “But we've had a pretty good turnout for all of them. So people will show up for it.”