Evolution Wonderlounge gearing up for a 'two gay bar summer' with new location, owner says
The building and business model is something Edmonton hasn't seen before, queer historian says
Edmonton's only gay bar is going to be out and proud in a new Jasper Avenue location this spring.
Evolution Wonderlounge, on 103rd Street downtown, will remain in operation until the end of October, while the new location — with a shorter name Evo — will set up shop this spring in Wîhkwêntôwin, the neighbourhood formerly called Oliver.
Evo will bring extended hours, a food menu, new programming, greater accessibility.
Queer historian Ron Byers said it'll be the first of its kind for the city, and a far cry from Edmonton's first gay bar.
"Many of those years, people had to hide who they were. And for that reason, a lot of the bars were small, they were in basements, some were on second floors," said Byers, the director of Rainbow Story Hub.
"But there was nothing as grand as what this place is. So Evo on Jasper is going to be a huge step up for the queer community."
WATCH | An inside look at Edmonton's newest gay bar:
It will also be the first time in many years Edmonton will have two gay bars at the same time. Byers said while the city has had many over the years, in the 2000s many simply didn't last.
With extended hours, Byers said the space will be more accessible for old and young people alike — and can serve as a gathering spot for 2SLGBTQ+ people and their friends.
"Having the broader community be able to access a place where a lot of gay, lesbian, and queer folk are, brings them together in a better way."
Moving from a basement location to a prominent corner on Jasper Avenue gives the new spot a wider significance, co-owner Rob Browatzke said.
"It's been a long time since Edmonton has had an out gay pub," Browatzke said.
"People have associated the brand with the dance club and show bar for 12 years and we are that, but we are so much more."
While roughly the same capacity as their old location, the building is outfitted with large windows, a kitchen, a loft seating area, and increased accessibility. It previously housed Reign Premium Lounge and Kitchen.
"The current space just fell into our lap, ready to go, back in what has been known as the Gaybourhood for 30 years in Edmonton," he said, referring to Wîhkwêntôwin as an area many queer people live, work, and spend time in.
"It gives us the opportunity to get our feet wet in so many new things that we weren't doing there. It gives us a nice long summer to say goodbye to the old space as far as programming goes — and is giving Edmonton a two gay bar summer."
Browatzke said the new location will be open six days a week and the old location will likely only operate weekends for the rest of its run.
When asked if two locations could become a permanent fixture, Browatzke said he isn't sure what the future will hold.
"But maybe we will see that the community really, really needs the two spaces and we need to find a way to keep them going — or at least add on some pop-up parties of our own at other venues."
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