Gangway: A Legacy in San Francisco’s Tenderloin

It’s been a bar since 1910 and a gay bar since at least 1961, but San Francisco’s oldest gay bar, Gangway, is the latest place to feel the force of gentrification in the city’s Tenderloin neighborhood.

The Impact of Gentrification in the Tenderloin

Traditionally SF’s least salubrious district, the Tenderloin has seen an influx of tech companies in recent years. This change has consequently led to many of the area’s older establishments, including bars, being closed to make way for hipster-friendly options. Gangway was among several gay bars in the Tenderloin, the city’s main gay hub for many years; however, most of these beloved venues have now closed.

What’s Next for Gangway?

Currently, there’s no final word on what the bar will become. Nonetheless, another, non-gay bar looks most likely to take its place. This situation highlights the ongoing changes in the fabric of San Francisco’s nightlife, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community that has historically found refuge in these spaces.