After 45 years in business, Brewer's Bar in Lawrenceville, the oldest gay bar in Pittsburgh, will close early next year after being sold.
In a social media post, Brewer's owners said the new owner plans to keep the bar inclusive.
“I want to thank everyone who has come out to support this bar made this your home bar thank you from the bottom of my heart,” the current owners said. “I’ve met some of the nicest people who I now call my friends. To all my staff past and present without all of you brewers would not have been brewers. I love u all for all the hard work you have put in to make this bar so special.”
No word yet on the last day of business, but Carol, the owner says they plan to close for the transition around the end of the year.
She tells KDKA Radio a big New Year’s Eve celebration is planned for the bar.
The location will close for a period of time while the new owners add a fresh coat of paint.
While the bar will be inclusive, she says the three new owners want their bar to have its own identity, so the name “Brewer’s” will likely change.
Carol says with her children and grandchildren getting older, she decided now is the best time to sell. She adds it’s the best possible outcome because the new owners will continue to make the space inclusive.
The idea of Brewer’s came from her father.
A former Pittsburgh Police Officer, Carol’s dad would do security at another gay bar in East Liberty.
When he found out about a space being available in Lawrenceville, he bought it in the early 1980s, with the family running it ever since.
While mainly a place of gathering and joy, Brewer’s was also a safe haven for homosexuals in the 80s, especially those with AIDS.
With emotion in her voice, Carol said that her dad would house those suffering from AIDS in the apartment upstairs.
When some of these people were rejected by family and friends for having AIDS, it was Carol’s dad that made sure they had a place to stay and the medicine they needed.
Carol says she is happy those people won’t be forgotten when the new owners take over early next year.