Femme Bar

Femme Bar is a lesbian bar in Worcester, Massachusetts. Opened in 2023, it was the first new lesbian bar in New England in the contemporary period,[1][2][3] after decades of decline from an estimated two hundred establishments in the 1980s.[3]

Overview

Femme Bar was founded by married partners Danielle Spring and Julie Toupin.[4] The bar opened on March 10, 2023, at 62 Green Street.[1][5] At the time of its opening, an estimated two dozen lesbian bars were operating in the United States.[1][2]

In 2024, Spring and Toupin were included on the Worcester Business Journal Power 100 list, an annual compilation of notable figures in central Massachusetts.[6] That same year, the bar received a People of Courage Award from Safe Homes Massachusetts in recognition of the bar's role in supporting LGBTQ+ youth.[7]

In 2025, Femme Bar was designated one of sixteen venues in the Athletes Unlimited Women's Sports Bar Alliance, an official watch party network for the organization's professional softball league.[8] In 2026, Femme Bar was among the venues selected by Togethxr, a women's sports media company, to broadcast the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.[9]

The bar holds recurring events including drag performances, trivia nights, karaoke, speed dating, a book club, craft nights, and a college night. Friday evenings feature live performances by local musicians. The bar also holds periodic dance parties and themed entertainment nights.[7][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Bates, Devin (June 28, 2023). "Femme Bar finds its stride after first few months in business". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Troisi, Dayna (January 31, 2023). "New England Is Getting A Lesbian Bar, Thanks To This Married Couple". GO (American magazine). Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "There's 32 lesbian bars left in America. Here's where they are". Newsweek. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  4. ^ Karp, Rachel (November 7, 2023). "Femme Bar". Cruising: Queer History and Culture (podcast, audio). Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  5. ^ "A post-pandemic LGBTQ+ 'renaissance' in Worcester, driven by young people". The Boston Globe. June 28, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  6. ^ "2024 Power 100: Danielle Spring and Julie Toupin". Worcester Business Journal. 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Bates, Devin (June 27, 2024). "Femme Bar sees success as it builds tight-knit community". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  8. ^ "Worcester lesbian bar named watch party venue for new pro softball league". Worcester Business Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  9. ^ Notte, Jason (2026). "Women's Sports Bars Give Fans and Brands Some New March Madness". Adweek. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  10. ^ "Central Mass Bar Opens To Combat Shortage Of Lesbian Spaces". Worcester Daily Voice. 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
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