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Home *Resist. Protest. Obstruct. Inform., *The Strangeways Report, Bar/Pub Crawl, Business News, Capitol Hill News, Community, Community News, Food, Gay News, Grub & Grog, In Memoriam, Living, News, Nightlife, Queer News, Seattle News, We Love The NightlifeBreaking: Barbie Announces Purr Is Closing Its Doors

Breaking: Barbie Announces Purr Is Closing Its Doors

July 29, 2018• byMichael Strangeways

 

Purr announced they'll reopen at new Montlake location on October 4th.

Some shocking news for fans of Barbie Roberts and her cocktail lounge, Purr. She just announced via her Facebook page that today, Sunday, July 29, 2018 will be the bar’s final day of business. 

Via Facebook:

Letting Go is Never Easy……..

Dear Friends, 
These past 13 years have brought many blessings to my life. Purr was a place to call home. It was this home that brought many of you into my life. I’ve made many friendships over the years and have created many wonderful memories in which I will never forget. As we all go through life, some of us go our separate ways. It’s always hard letting go, but just know, you’ve impacted my life for the better.

I’d like to thank each of my amazing Employees whom I’ve had a pleasure to work with over the years. You made me very proud every single day. You brought something truly special to this home. We were a family. For this, I will be forever grateful.

I also would like to thank my Family for sticking by me through thick and thin. Mom, Dad, and Debbie, you’re the best a girl could ask for. I love you dearly.

The time has come for me to move on, and retire this “Kitty Bar”. Today, Sunday 7/29, from 2-10pm, I will be working behind the bar saying my final farewell’s. Its been a real honor to have served you all these years and have you in m y home. If you get a chance, please stop by.

What will I do next? Only time will tell. Relax a bit, I hope.
If I don’t see you, please know this is never “Goodbye”…

Love you All
Forever Your Friend,

Barbie

This comes less than a year after the business relocated from its original location on 11th Avenue on Capitol Hill. Roberts faced a substantial rent hike at that location and claimed the landlord of the building was trying to force her out in favor of the bar that did eventually replace Purr, Queer Bar. After a long search, the new Purr location was obtained in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood, a choice that did perplex some fans of the venue. Montlake, located at the northeast foot of Capitol Hill on busy 24th Avenue, is a tiny block long commercial strip in the heart of a neighborhood that mostly features single occupancy homes occupied by families and retired people.

The new Purr re-opened on October 4, 2017 with a grand re-opening celebration. Numerous special events throughout the preceding months tried to lure back past patrons of the club.

Barbie Roberts and Purr have long been valuable members of Seattle’s LGBTQ and allies community and supportive to other community members including non-profits as well as other businesses. (Purr was one of the first gay bars to support and advertise on Seattle Gay Scene).  Losing safe spaces for LGBTQ folk is never a good thing and many of us will mourn the loss of Purr as a friendly haven for our community.

Best wishes to Barbie Roberts and her Purr family as they seek out new endeavors. 

Salud!

#TheKittyBarIsClosed

PurrCloses BarbieFB

(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.

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3 Replies to “Breaking: Barbie Announces Purr Is Closing Its Doors”

  1. Eric Hutcheson says:
    July 30, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Sad another loss.

  2. Kelly says:
    July 30, 2018 at 10:07 am

    How shocking it is indeed that this article feigning sympathy at the closing of Purr is right next to a large ad for the bar that replaced it.

    Oh, the irony…

  3. Michael Strangeways says:
    July 30, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    Both Purr and Queer Bar are/have been advertisers on SGS. Not sure why you think we’re “feigning” sympathy. We’re on good terms with both venues.

    Apparently, you think we’re supposed to shun Queer Bar because they took over the space formerly occupied by Purr because…..?

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