March 19, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Saving Silver Lake Bar Akbar

Struggling to survive amid the Corona-virus pandemic, iconic LGBTQI+ hangout Akbar took to a fundraising page to ask for help.

Almost overnight, with the help of social media, the page raised more than the necessary $150,000 to help save the Silver Lake bar.

Owners Scott Craig and Peter Alexander opened Akbar on New Year’s Eve in 1996. Both met as self-described young punks thriving in LA’s 80s underground club scene and bought one of the last remaining gay bars in the area, despite not having any experience.

The 24-year-old bar has been closed since March, when Los Angeles County implemented its first stay-at-home order to curb the spread of Corona-virus.

“Since then there has been NO relief for monthly mortgage payments,” the fundraising page says. “We’re asking today for your support to keep Akbar from permanently closing.”

Alexander believes the entire hospitality industry, from bars and clubs to restaurants and small venues, needs federally-backed mortgage assistance. “That would ease the grip around our throats a lot,” says Alexander. “How about we don’t pay it back for the next six months, and tack it onto the end of the loan? People are dying by the hundreds of thousands, but the banks aren’t doing a goddamn thing except lend money. Shame on the government for not helping.”

The owners pleaded with patrons and fans, saying they would not be able to survive the winter without help. They indicated that the money raised will pay back the small business loan needed to cover expenses while the location remains closed.

Akbar, located at 4356 Sunset Blvd., has been home to queer culture and nightlife and has also hosted drag shows, stand-up comedy and cabaret, according to the owners.

Over the decades, many have come to see Akbar as a safe space, a communal living room, performance den, or meeting place for when things get hard personally or politically. “It’s home for a lot of people,” says Alexander.

Like most bars throughout Los Angeles, Akbar has struggled during the pandemic. The state has at various points mandated that bars temporarily close, reopen, then close again, all without a financial safety net. At least Craig and Alexander are in a unique position with Akbar, because they own the building. 

Over the last nine months many of West Hollywood’s longstanding queer bars battled with landlords and have fought to survive, they’ve also been spared the worst of it all. Bars and nightclubs across the city including Rage, Flaming Saddles, Gold Coast, and Gym Bar have all closed permanently already.

Since the page went up, it has raised over $200,000 of its $250,000 goal. 

Alexander is in a state of shock. “We’re as high as kites over here,” he said when reached by phone. The amount of money is staggering enough, but so is the show of immediate support. “LA Magazine just went ahead and published their story and things started happening. We’re so humbled and awed by the response.”

To donate visit: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/cmrk6c-save-akbar

Related Posts

Skin Laundry Laser Focuses On Rejuvenating Skin

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Facials don’t have to be invasive. That’s why Skin Laundry has taken a revolutionary approach to skincare technology, making the...

The Problem with Pride Outfits and How You Can Change It

February 20, 2023

February 20, 2023

Since pride month’s official declaration in 1999, we’re reminded every June of how far America has come following New York...

California Trans Child Molester Gets 2 Years In Juvenile Facility

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A Los Angeles County judge ordered Hannah Tubbs, a transgender California woman, to serve two years in a juvenile facility...

Homeless Initiative Meeting In West Hollywood

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative works to address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response. It’s estimated that...

WeHo Premieres the ‘Moving Image Media Art’ Exhibition Series

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood announces the premiere of the Moving Image Media Art (MIMA) program and the worldwide debut...

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

WeHo Spreads Word About Free Covid Testing

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood is reminding residents that free COVID-19 testing is available for them.  Demand for COVID-19 testing...

Green Qween New Queer-Owned Cannabis Shop Will Open Downtown

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

Green Qween, a new queer-owned and queer-driven cannabis shop, will open in downtown on April 20th.  The shops owners, Andrés...

2022 ‘WeHo Reads’ Series Celebrates the ‘Road to Joy’

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood invites community members to celebrate literature and local authors with its 2022 WeHo Reads literary...

New Injectable HIV Prevention Drug Approved By FDA

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first long-acting injectable medication for use as pre-exposure prevention, or PrEP, against...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

MJ Rodriguez, 1st Openly Transgender Actress to Win Golden Globe

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Michaela Jae “MJ” Rodriguez has made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to win a Golden Globe.  The...

Animal Shelter Donations In Honor Of Betty White

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Animal shelter donations have increased exponentially in honor of late actress gay icon and animal lover Betty White. Over the...

AIDS/LifeCycle 2022 Needs More Volunteers

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

AIDS LifeCycle is back with more than $4 million raised so far for the 2022 ride benefitting the HIV/AIDS-related services...

Long Beach Named One of the Best LGBTQ Cities

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

For the 10th year in a row Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation...