After decades of being a part Dublin’s gay scene, The Front Lounge, is to have a change of direction, and it’s becoming a live music venue, featuring reggae and ska.

A staff member of The Front Lounge posted on Facebook, announcing that it “will no longer exist the way as it was for the last decades.”

The post added that the bar will have new ownership and management.

The Front Lounge accidentally came to prominence as a gay venue in the mid-’90s when gay bar The Parliament, on the corner of Parliament and Essex St West, was taken over by new owners, becoming The Turk’s Head. While protests were held outside that bar, which immediately implemented a ‘no gay’ door policy, LGBT clientele migrated up the street to the newly opened Front Lounge.

At first The Front Lounge didn’t identify as a gay bar, with LGBT punters mixing in the back part of the bar, and straight clientele mostly in the front area. But slowly it became one of the most popular gay venues in the city, hosting nights like Panti’s Casting Couch and community events like GCN’s My Big Fat Gay Pub Quiz.

Rumour on the street is that Front Lounge is to become a straight reggae bar.

“Best of luck,” the staff member’s Facebook post ends.

Story Update:

A Facebook page has been opened for venue that will replace The Front Lounge, which is to be called Street 66. Featuring a line-up of live reggae and ska music, the newly owned and managed bar will open on December 8.

It’s a far cry from Kylie!