It has been around for more than three decades and is a place for people of any sexuality or nationality to have a good time.
But later this week Gio’s Club & Bar will shut its doors.
Late last year, the gay and lesbian bar was told it needs to find a new home.
Gio’s management said the downtown building it has been in for ten years is being demolished by its owner.
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Run by the volunteer board of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Society, the bar has been struggling financially for years.
It said social networking and a more open and accepting society has led to fewer customers.
“Ten years ago you couldn’t go to one of the straight bars without having the fear of being attacked, or being assaulted,” said Barry Karlenzig, general manager of Gio’s. “Now, with social media and more accepting communities, you have no problem going into those bars, so all of us in the community have started to feel the pinch, but it’s a good pinch.”
Karlenzig hopes to reopen in a smaller venue but is having a tough time finding a new home.
There are four events planned at the Smith Street bar this week with the doors closing for good after one last party Saturday night.
“For us, it’s sad that we are having to close, but we are being positive that we will find that place and we want to reopen right away,” he said.
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