Farewell to The Spot Bar — Another Closure Hits Hell’s Kitchen Amid Rising Costs

A Hell’s Kitchen gay bar that opened at the height of the COVID pandemic is closing down next month due to rising costs, the owner announced on Monday.

“Serving you and our amazing community and working alongside some of the most talented individuals in the industry has been an immense privilege, and all of us at The Spot Bar are deeply grateful for your unwavering support,” owner Ted Arenas wrote on Instagram .

Ted made the difficult decision to close The Spot Bar at 599 10th Avenue (bw W43/44th St) due to a slowdown in patrons, rising insurance costs, inflation and the growing number of other LGBTQ venues in Hell’s Kitchen putting a strain on the bar, he told W42ST. It also didn’t help that Spot was located on 10th Avenue, away from the concentration of bars on 9th Avenue.

“I hope that this closure will allow other venues that are facing similar struggles the opportunity to flourish,” Ted wrote. His other two LGBTQ nightlife venues, Rise Bar (9th Ave bw W55/56th St) and The Red Stache (9th Ave bw W52/53rd St) remain open.

The Spot Bar initially faced steep opposition from local residents and controversy when it opened in 2020.

Ted’s original plan was to open up one property over from another bar, Lansdowne Road, that had just closed due to COVID, but Community Board 4 did not want to approve a liquor license for a property that had never had one before. Ultimately, he opened Spot in the closed bar’s location, and gained the community’s trust.

“I think gaining respect and love from the community was probably one of the best things that came out of it,” Ted told W42T.

“It became a safe space for LGBTQ people and people in the neighborhood,” he added. “We are part of the community.”

Some of the staff at The Spot will stay on at Rise Bar, Ted said, but Sunday, August 11, the closing day, is the last night they will all be together, for a farewell party starting at 9:30 pm. Until then, the bar will continue hosting its regularly scheduled programming.

Hell’s Kitchen neighbors have expressed their love of The Spot Bar to W42ST over the years. “When we want to hear some good music, enjoy a cocktail, and meet neighborhood friends we head out to this fun bar on 10th Avenue,” retired medical professionals and wine connoisseurs Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen told us last summer.

“This place helps expand our queer footprint in Hell’s Kitchen and the Musical Mondays show starring Paige Turner, Evita Loca, Cacophony Daniels and Sutton Lee Seymour can’t be beat!,” added drag artist Darius Rose AKA Jackie Cox .

“The Spot will always live on in our hearts, and the memories and friendships we formed will be cherished forever,” Ted wrote in his letter.

The post Farewell to The Spot Bar — Another Closure Hits Hell’s Kitchen Amid Rising Costs appeared first on W42ST .