A group headed by former Oakland City Council legislative director Richard Fuentes is trying to find investors for a gay bar in the Uptown neighborhood, next door to the Paramount Theater. Unfortunately, though, a recent Indiegogo campaign failed to reach its modest goal of $20,000, so no lease has been signed. The name, if it comes together, would be The Port.
As the Business Times reports, the group conducted its own focus groups and determined there was an unmet need for an LGBT-friendly cocktail bar in the neighborhood, though there already are a couple of other similar establishments including Club 21, Hella Gay Dance Party (second Saturdays at The Uptown), and the Bench and Bar, which has been on 17th Street almost 10 years but has been an Oakland gay institution for over 30. One of the named investors who helped the group reach $13,000 of their goal is the owner of nearby straight bar Make Westing.
The space for lease at 2021 Broadway is one that was not formerly a bar, so a significant buildout would be required as well as the purchase of a liquor license.
Given that $20K probably wouldn't come close to covering that, we're going to venture that this project is not likely to see the light of day anytime soon, if ever. However 85 people pledged their crowdfunding support, and maybe all they need is a little more publicity to try that again.
