The Last Ditch, a lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, that gained attention for its strict mask policy, has announced a 'soft closure' beginning this winter. The venue, which opened last year, became the subject of a viral dispute after it announced that masks would be optional on Saturday nights.
Policy Change Sparks Backlash
The bar had maintained a strict rule requiring patrons to wear face masks. However, a poster promoting a new club night casually noted that masks would be optional on Saturdays, drawing criticism from commenters who felt the change was too flippant. One commenter wrote, 'just say you're being complicit in a mass disabling event and get it over with,' while another said, 'I hope your venue gets firebombed for robbing my fellow immunocompromised people of their Saturday plans just to scrape extra revenue from ablists [sic].'
The controversy generated around 400 comments, many accusing the venue of not taking the COVID pandemic seriously. This occurred despite the fact that Greenfield had not seen a single reported COVID case for two months at the time the article was published.
Owner's Plea and Closure Announcement
The owner pleaded with patrons for forgiveness, explaining that she had accumulated thousands of dollars in debt and was living out of a car. Despite this, the criticism continued. The bar subsequently issued a statement saying it was 'sorry to disappoint valued community members with access changes by a casual announcement.'
Last Ditch announced it would begin soft closing immediately but would keep all booked events scheduled. 'We need new owners ASAP, we close this winter,' the bar wrote. 'We have put our lives on hold to foster networks of care, resources, and a home base for organising. It's time we pass it on. We've been fighting since the beginning to fill out the team, and we still don't have a board/leadership to manage workers' owned Co-op transfer.'
Financial Struggles and Community Impact
An accompanying graphic detailed that the venue has $70,000 worth of equipment, furniture and inventory. The Last Ditch had a policy of never turning anyone away for not being able to afford the cover charge, including 'unhoused people.' The Guardian noted that while this is 'very generous,' it's 'also a formula for losing money.'
The bar's decision to change the mask policy was seen as an attempt to make a profit, but it instead led to community backlash. The soft closure marks the end of a venture that sought to balance community care with financial sustainability.
