Charlotte’s Bar 316 closes doors

After nearly a decade of controversy that included claims of racial discrimination against customers of color, purported misuse of COVID funding for small businesses, multiple citations for violations during the COVID pandemic, verbal abuse of drag performers and a pickup at the club that resulted in the death of a patron, Bar 316 is closing its doors.

According to internet chatter and community conversation, it isn’t for any of the aforementioned reasons. Reportedly, Bar 316 has closed because they didn’t pay their rent.

Public records show that property owner Douglas R. Stephen (additional records list a company called VV Dilworth
Square as the current owner) has filed suit against The Rensselaer Group, the company that owns Bar 316, for unpaid back rent. At deadline, no sum total of how much rent is due was available.

Although much of the history of the building that has housed Bar 316 has been lost with the passing of time, what is known is the following: it didn’t begin its life at that location. The converted
house was moved to its current address at some point during the 20th century. It’s unclear how many businesses operated out of the structure, but it appears most of those that did either attracted a LGBTQ+ clientele or specifically geared their services to the gay, lesbian and trans communities.

Among the businesses that called 316 Renssalaer home was a bar/restaurant named Amanda Rose, private clubs like Steven’s, Liaisons and eventually, Bar 316. For a building that has played such a prominent role in the LGBTQ+ community, it seems somewhat of a loss it may fall prey to the gentrification that has absorbed much of the surrounding area.

While no one in the community is denying the historic significance of the site, there are many who are glad to see the current owner and management team out the door.

A recurring claim of racist behavior towards non-white customers was regularly leveled at Bar 316 owner Jeff Edwards. An occurrence last year that involved the Caucasian owner verbally attacking a Black drag performer on stage during a performance left a bad taste in the mouths of Bar 316 clients and other individuals in the local LGBTQ+ community.

Not surprisingly, protests followed, and calls for Edwards to step aside. He later came forward with an apology and what seemed like a renewed commitment to Bar 316 and an environment of inclusivity. For that very reason, regular patrons found the abrupt closing unexpected, leaving them floundering for a new watering hole and pondering the fate of what will become of the historic house that became a gathering spot for Charlotte’s queer community.