The Stud's community rescue (2016–2021)
The Stud, San Francisco's legendary queer bar founded in 1966, nearly closed in 2016 when its building went up for sale. A group of regulars formed a co-op, raised money, and took ownership of the bar itself.
The Stud reopened at a new SoMa location under community ownership in 2021.
It became a model for saving beloved nightlife institutions by changing who runs them, not just the building.
Like The Stud, Bruno's survived because its operators changed. Where The Stud used a community co-op, Bruno's used a hospitality owner and a new license category.
