In a post made on their Instagram social media May 2, Raleigh’s LGBTQ+ nightclub Ruby Deluxe announced its decision to close at the conclusion of the May 3 Glitter Hour drag event.
“Thank you so very much for letting us serve and entertain you for the last 10 years,” the statement says. “This Saturday’s Glitter Hour will be Ruby Deluxe’s last night. We will open the stage after Glitter Hour to anyone who wants to perform in the Glitter Dungeon one last time. Songs must be on Spotify. Sign up in person. Glitter Hour isn’t done though. Keep an eye out. Stay weird.”
The venue has been a very important venue and safe space during its time in business. Along with Ruby Deluxe, other venues like the Night Rider, Wicked Witch and Legends make up much of Raleigh’s LGBTQ+ community hangouts and late-night gathering places.
“We are the only places in Raleigh that have our formatting dedicated to the queer community as opposed to gay men,” said Tim Lemuel, owner of the Ruby Deluxe, in 2021 to the Technician publication. “We format for trans people, people of color, the lesbian community, the whole spectrum of queer folks.”
The night the announcement was made, the r/raleigh Reddit board deliberated on just what had happened that caused the sudden announcement.
A few memories were shared about the venue, but speculations and alleged accusations also rose about Lemuel.
“That’s saddening. Ruby was one of the first places I ever visited in Raleigh. It had a lot of problems for sure but it’s where I met a lot of great people and close friends,” wrote user DiceQuail.
“Goodbye straight-owned queer petting zoo that funded Tim’s boat and Puerto Rico villa but not a livable wage for its employees or performers and begged for money at tax time every year like clockwork,” quipped user Least-Net4108.
One of the more recent posts, made by user tiedye_dreamer, meshed together both responses in a more conclusive set of thoughts.
“I have plenty of good memories here but I’ll be frank,” tiedye_dreamer stated. “In recent years I watched it get more and more empty. Additionally, a lot of revelations about the owner, workplace harassment, mismanagement of funds, terrible wages for employees and their annual beg for funding around tax time … it’s really no surprise the coffin lid will finally close on Ruby. I mean this in all respect, I will miss the memories and people I met here and the good times had – but I’m hoping a better owner or LGBTQ space can be birthed from the ashes of Ruby,” the user added at the end.
With the closure of Ruby Deluxe, speculation is now on Night Rider and Wicked Witch, two venues that were placed on the same level as the ‘Deluxe, and are also owned by Lemuel.