After operating for more than a century, San Francisco's oldest gay bar closed yesterday.
As we reported last year, The Gangway at 841 Larkin St. (near Geary) was sold by Jung Lee, who had owned the business for nearly 20 years. According to The Chronicle, the bar opened in 1910, but didn't publicly identify as a gay-friendly space until 1961.
Patrons toasted the bar on its last night; today, the bar that was usually open before the morning rush hour was locked up tight.
Via social media, regulars posted farewell messages and shared memories, while others expressed surprise that the watering hole was closing with little fanfare.
New owner Sam Young—who also owns Kozy Kar on Polk Street and Kozy Kar 2 in Santa Rosa—intends to operate the space as “Young’s Kung Fu Action Theater & Laundry.”
A search on SF Planning’s database found no new permit applications since the liquor license transfer was approved in August 2017, and there’s no word when the new business will move in, but we will keep you posted.
Thanks to tipsters Bill O. and Darwin B. who let us know about the liquor license transfer occurring.