Queer Bar Re-Opens This Weekend With Sapphira Cristál

They’re baaaaaack!

For those of you in the dark, Seattle’s QUEER BAR announced a change of ownership earlier this summer, when partner/husbands Burgess/Hall announced they had sold the popular Capitol Hill nightlife venue to Scott Walent and Dustin Akers, the owners of another longtime LGBTQ bar, The Cuff Complex, which had also previously been owned by Burgess and Hall. (Slightly confusing, yes…)

Upon taking over Queer Bar after Seattle Pride events had ended at the end of June, Walent and Akers announced Queer Bar would close for a couple months for some freshening. The re-opening was announced a few weeks ago and now Queer Bar is set to resume events starting this Friday, September 11th with a special opening night drag show featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 star Sapphira Cristál and the debut of Queer Bar’s new drag show, “wave/ength” (how they’re formatting it, which frankly I hate because it’s a pain in the ass to type/format it for websites…and, technically, it’s queer/bar and always was but I stopped formatting it that way since about the second week of opening…but, I digress)

It also looks like Queer Bar plans on returning to a 7 nights a week schedule; prior to new ownership, the venue had had a varied schedule with several nights early in the week being dark. Other changes include a return to food service and a return of a Sunday so far drag free brunch. Check out the new food menu at https://thequeerbar.com/menu

WaveLength will be FREE for its opening night weekend. And, a bit more intel:

On your radar: Sapphira Cristál from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 joins wavelength on September 11.

A full spectrum of expression. A new frequency of drag.

Hosted by Versace Doll at queer/bar, wave/ength puts drag in a different light. From high-glam radiance to ultraviolet edge, the show is built to explore an expanding spectrum of styles through a rotating lineup of artists making waves in their own way.

Each edition brings fresh energy into focus. Catch a familiar favorite, discover someone new on your radar, and get swept up in whatever comes next.

No Cover for Grand Opening Weekend

Meet & Greet available for the first 50 people in line
Begins at 8:15 PM

Step into the spotlight. Find your wave/ength.

There was some ridiculous pushback because Queer Bar had announced they were re-opening on September 11th (I’m assuming all the people having tizzies over that are planning on staying home that day in silent [hopefully] prayer, but I have my doubts…) so Queer Bar brought in community activist Zakaria Ibrahimi to facilitate an intelligent conversation about honoring the Queer Muslim community:

“Hello and Salam!

Zakaria here. Thank you for reading.

As Queer/Bar prepared to reopen, September 11 emerged as the earliest date to do so. Knowing firsthand the significance and complexity that this date carries, I wanted to ensure it would be approached with care and intention, rather than letting it pass without acknowledgement. I was grateful for the opportunity to help shape a weekend that could interweave and honor my faith, culture, and queer identity.

This is my invitation to share in a call for Zakat. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat is an obligatory practice of giving 2.5% of one’s financial holdings to those with unmet needs and systemic barriers. It is a beautiful practice rooted in care, responsibility, and community; Mashallah 

For opening weekend, I’ve selected four organizations, some local and some continental, to center in this call: the Queer Muslim Network (@queermuslimnetwork), the trans-led Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (@theMASGD), the Lavender Rights Project of Seattle (@lavenderrightsproject), and Muslims for Progressive Values (@mpvusa).

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will offer plenty of opportunities for y’all to join in! You’ll find QR codes throughout the space all weekend, an option to add a $5 donation to your bill each day, and 10% of all Sunday brunch sales going to these causes.

Who knows, I might even hop on the mic and share more about why I chose these hard-working, essential organizations.

I have so much gratitude for y’all; thank you for showing up and supporting these fantastic entertainers and causes. We are all individually responsible for the change we want to see in the world, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to help bring this all to fruition.”

– Zakaria Ibrahimi

See the statement and more info on those organizations with links, at https://thequeerbar.com/spotlight/queer-muslim-community

Resident DJ Essex will be running the party on Saturday night of opening weekend and on Sunday, Queer Bar will debut their new queer/brunch, which seems to be drag-free for the moment…which would be a nice break from all the other drag brunches…

Join us this Saturday night to celebrate our highly anticipated grand opening weekend with an electrifying set by Resident DJ Essex. It is the perfect opportunity to explore our brand-new menu featuring crafted cocktail specials and delicious food offerings while soaking in the vibrant new atmosphere. As part of our opening festivities, we are using our platform to shine a spotlight on incredible organizations that support Queer/Muslim community, with opportunities for guests to donate and give back throughout the night.

• Talent: Resident DJ Essex
• Time: Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 PM
• Cover: No cover (Grand Opening Weekend)

Kick off your day with the debut of queer/brunch! Brunch service begins at 11:00 AM, setting the perfect stage before GWNN takes over the decks to soundtrack your afternoon from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Come dine with a purpose! As a continuation of our opening weekend spotlight, 10% of all sales during brunch will be donated directly to organizations dedicated to supporting and highlighting queer/muslim community.

• DJ: GWNN
• Time: Sunday, September 13 | Brunch service starts at 11:00 AM | DJ set from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
• Cover: No cover (Standard food and beverage costs apply)