Big News ‘NOW’ – D.C.’s Beloved Little Gay Pub Opening New Location in Philadelphia
Philadelphia will soon be home to a well-liked LGBT club in Washington, D.C. that is well-known for its unique vibe and frequent sightings of celebrities.
The proprietors of the Little Gay Pub are introducing their own hospitality brand to the City of Brotherly Love. The pub has grown to be a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
The historic McGillin’s Olde Ale House will be close to the new location, which will be at the intersection of 13th and Drury Street.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, LGP founders Dusty Martinez, Benjamin Gander, and Dito Sevilla—all veteran D.C. bartenders—aspire to launch the Philadelphia location by late December, but no later than spring of next year, in time for Pride Month.
Creating a bar where the LGBTQ+ community “is celebrated, more than just served” is the trio’s goal.
The design and service of LGP “harken back to an older age in the community, when the bars were nicer, a little bit more leathery and darker, and the fixtures were better,” Sevilla told the Inquirer. In addition to the late-night activity, the D.C. and Philly sites are built to take use of natural light, creating a warm atmosphere for drinking during the day.
LGP is known for its exquisite restrooms that have ideal lighting and have gained a lot of attention on social media. The goal of the Instagram account Royal_Fiush_LGP is to collect selfies that people take in the restrooms of bars.
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Sevilla remarked in a lighthearted way, “We made them crazy and kitschy—and so clean and nice—and there was really no specific reason why we wanted to have over-the-top bathrooms.”
Sevilla expressed the team’s excitement about the expansion to The Advocate. “We adore Philadelphia! We are thrilled about the chance to introduce Philadelphia, a wonderfully historic and LGBTQ-friendly city, to our distinct style of not-so-little gay pub, which offers a quirky, campy, glamorously gay hospitality experience.
Sevilla highlighted the team’s attention to detail, saying they constantly aim to design a room with character and charm. He had previously told The Advocate, “When we built the place, we had hoped it was going to be a gathering space for everybody, but people have come to appreciate all the love we put into it.”
Since each of us had a unique personality and we wanted to create a space where we all felt represented, we decided to add little Easter eggs and embellishments throughout the bar.
A painting of the late city planner Ed Bacon, which is supervised by a rooftop terrace, will be included at the Philadelphia location to emphasize the history and character of the area.
The owners of the pub, according to the Inquirer, are dedicated to integrating into the neighborhood and share an apartment so that one of them is always in town.
According to the newspaper, the three intend to interact with the community while construction is underway by keeping their doors open.
Martinez stated, “We intend to keep our doors open so the neighborhood can stop by, pop in, and ask us questions.” “We’re just a nice group of people who want to make a big difference in Philadelphia. We’ve done great things in D.C.”
Several celebrities have visited the original LGP, such as California Democrat Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who stopped by last fall and took photographs in one of the pub’s renowned lavatories.
A few more well-known visitors have been the performers Alan Cumming and Billy Eichner. The RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars cast of season 9 and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently dropped by the bar.
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Furthermore, LGP and the British Embassy collaborated to create the mural “GREAT Love is for Everyone,” which was painted by artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer.
Sevilla revealed that the partners are excited to join and increase the community’s services since they have long appreciated Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ locations. “We are excited to work with Philly to increase the resources available to our community and their allies. We have both enjoyed many of the LGBT spots for years, some of them for decades.”
In keeping with this excitement, Benjamin Gander said, “We’re beyond excited to get up there.”
The LGP in Philadelphia seeks to carry on this tradition of celebration, inclusivity, and community involvement. Sevilla highlighted the spirit of the establishment, saying, “The Little Gay Pub is a small space with a big heart and an old soul.” We are eager to present it to the Cradle of Liberty, Freedom, and the City of Brotherly Love.