NYC Gay Bar Therapy Closes After Nearby Building Deemed Unstable

Therapy, one of the most well-known gay bars in New York City, unexpectedly shut down this week because of a neighboring building's "structural instability."

The Hell's Kitchen establishment announced the unexpected closure yesterday on its Facebook page, explaining they were issued a vacate order because a nearby building was condemned.

New York City's out council speaker, Corey Johnson, confirmed Therapy's account, saying a building on 52nd Street was deemed structurally unsound, imperiling other nearby businesses, including the gay bar. Johnson says he is working with city agencies to ensure Therapy is allowed to reopen as soon as possible.

Therapy opened in 2003, just as Hell's Kitchen was establishing itself as a new center of LGBTQ life in Manhattan. The temporary closure of the bar this week is especially unfortunate as Pride season is set to begin, and New York City is hosting WorldPride to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.