SF Eagle Tavern faces likely closure!

Over the last three decades, the Eagle Tavern at 12th and Harrison streets has provided a welcoming home for countless community fundraisers, musicians, drag acts, beer busts, and LGBT patrons. But there's one person who has seldom put in an appearance: property owner John Nikitopoulos, writes Matt Baume in Bay Area Reporter.


"He doesn't stop in," said Eagle co-owner John Gardiner, whose business rents the space from Nikitopoulos. "I've seen him twice. Maybe three times."

That disconnect may have contributed to the air of outrage felt in the LGBT community this week when news emerged that the Eagle is likely to close at the end of the month. A crowd of around 250 packed the patio Monday night to hear speakers discuss the closure and plan a potential response.

Many in the crowd talked about how diverse the bar is. While long known as a mainstay in San Francisco's leather community, the only mention of leather was when someone asked Gardiner of the new owner was gay or leather.

"I don't know," Gardiner replied.

Numerous unconfirmed rumors about the bar have circulated this week, but this much is known: owners Gardiner and Joe Banks have been trying to sell the Eagle for at least a year.

MK's Reaction: Ryan and I visited The Eagle this past September and were amazed by the diversity. Leather, Drag, Young, old, Bears, Twinks wall to wall, armpit to armpit. If the rumors are True it will be a great loss!