TL;DR
- Club XYZ in Knoxville is closing after 22 years.
- The closure is due to a rent increase and landlord disputes.
- The landlord has been accused of homophobia.
- This leaves only one LGBTQ+ bar in Knoxville.
- Community members are mourning the loss.
In a shocking turn of events, Club XYZ, one of Knoxville’s last remaining LGBTQ+ bars, has announced its closure after a staggering 22 years of serving the community. The beloved bar, a cornerstone of queer nightlife in the area, cited a rent increase and a nasty dispute with its landlord as the driving forces behind this heartbreaking decision.
In a dramatic Facebook post, Club XYZ revealed that the landlord, Daniel Schuh, had issued an eviction notice with less than a week’s warning. The bar stated that it simply couldn’t absorb the latest rent hike included in their lease. “This is a complete surprise to us,” the post lamented, adding that the landlord had been nothing short of a tyrant. “He’s homophobic, a tyrant, and a proud asshole,” they wrote, clearly not holding back on their feelings.
Club XYZ has been a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community in Knoxville, providing a safe space for dancing, socializing, and celebrating pride. But it seems that even the most vibrant spaces can fall victim to the harsh realities of rising rents and unsympathetic landlords. The bar also claimed that Schuh had refused to cover necessary repairs, leaving the bar to self-fund updates to their HVAC system and electrical panel.
As the news of the closure spread, the community reacted with an outpouring of grief. Many took to social media to share their fondest memories of Club XYZ, calling it a place where friendships were forged and love was celebrated. “Another historic gay bar closed. This is beyond sad,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “This is so heartbreaking. Some of my fondest memories in Knoxville have been at XYZ.” The sentiment was clear: the loss of Club XYZ is a devastating blow to the queer community.
With Club XYZ’s closure, Knoxville is left with only one designated LGBTQ+ bar, CORE Knoxville, which is now under immense pressure to fill the void left by Club XYZ. This closure comes just a year after the queer-owned coffee shop South Press also shut its doors, further diminishing safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in the area. The trend of LGBTQ+ venues closing is alarming and reflects broader economic challenges faced by such establishments across the country.
The bar has not announced any fundraising efforts to support its staff, who were blindsided by the news of their job losses. As the community rallies around the bar, many are left wondering what the future holds for Knoxville’s LGBTQ+ scene. Will Club XYZ find a new location? Will the community come together to support its remaining venues? Only time will tell.
As we raise a glass to the memories made at Club XYZ, let this be a rallying cry for the community to stand in solidarity with local LGBTQ+ establishments. They are more than just bars; they are the heart and soul of our community. Cheers to the memories, and let’s keep fighting for our spaces!