D.C. Gay Bar Closes Abruptly 

A week after the departure of its general manager, another popular gay bar, the Washington, D.C.–based EFN Lounge, has fallen victim to the economy.

According to the Washington Blade, EFN Lounge and Motley Bar closed abruptly Monday night. Despite the two-bars-under-one-roof concept, former manager Bill Gray told the Blade, sales weren’t strong enough to keep the business afloat.

“We had Bear Happy Hour every Friday and that was amazing for revenue, but we realized that being open every day, we just couldn’t pull in the revenue we needed to sustain the building,” Gray said. “We tried multiple events. Some things worked, some didn’t. ... We had utilities turned off and turned back on. It was just a real struggle financially.”

Employees were notified of the decision to close Monday night at 8:30. Bartenders and other staff members were reportedly angry that the announcement was made with no notice.

“Company standard there was always two weeks notice if we wanted to leave,” bartender Matt Bamford said. “What they did to not just the staff but to the community at large is just unconscionable.”