Ever since my iPhone camera caught this picture back in November, I have had a raised eyebrow about local Dallas gay bar, Drama Room. Having a “For Lease” sign really doesn’t sit well with me and so it seems, neither did it with other locals.
Angelo Marconi @ The Drama Room in Dallas, TX. on 12-16-11
The buzz on Cedar Springs was that the business was on the verge of shutting down. From my own eye, the bar wasn’t really the hype anymore. Clientele was slowing down while the acutal look of the place seemed to decline. Several names were brought in to revive the name but it was not effective. The two drag shows that were hosted at the bar were cancelled, which started them down the declining trend. Just when it seemed that there might be a chance for the small business, things got just a little bit worse.
Over at DallasVoice.com, news surfaced on Friday that Drama Room was under a “lockout”. A sign had been placed on the door of the building earlier in the week addressing the tenants that the locks had been changed and access was denied. In order to get back in, they would have to come up with all the delinquent rent and a required security deposit that amounted to $28,815.00!
The Hershner family, who took up the space to open the bar, also Marty’s Hideaway, another gay bar located on Buena Vista Street. They have been struggling to re-open Hideaway for some time so it is no wonder that they also have a hard time keeping with Drama Room.
However, the question now remains … “What will come of the space?” Previously it was Mickey’s, which was another gay bar. However due to rent increases from landlord Penelope Hatteras, it closed down. For now, it seems that the space is up for grabs. It would be nice to see another bar open up on the strip that catered to another crowd other than what has been there before. Maybe a bear bar? Who knows! One things is certain, it must be stable and successful!