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daily, and he expects local residents will stop by in the afternoons to get lunch from a kitchen that can serve up paninis, pizzas, appetizers and more.įriesz thinks the crowd will shift throughout the night from older patrons to a younger group, and he'll turn the music louder and clear tables to make room for a dancefloor as the night goes on. The Sanctuary is known as a gay bar, but Friesz said he wants the business to offer something to everyone, whether they're gay or straight. "I feel like it's going to be very close-knit out here," he said. 20 during The Sanctuary's grand opening celebration, and plan to hold two drag shows there each month. They'll perform there for the first time Jan. Other than the owners, Kyle Anderson probably had the best idea of what all was done to renovate the bar because he helped the owners work on it.Īnderson, director of the Hot Mess Harlots group who performs under the stage name Tequila Mockingbird, said the drag troupe considers the bar its home. "It's about just being comfortable," he said. The gay man said he likes drinks at gay bars, which are known for serving stronger beverages than the average tavern, as well as the feeling of acceptance these businesses provide. Leeby's friend, John Utke, said the drive was "kind of far," but he liked the vibe. He's not gay and considers himself to be an ally. Moorhead resident Luke Leeby said the bar was nicer than expected, especially based on its modest exterior. "It's nice to have another option," she said. She said it's good to have a gay bar, even if she's found bars in Fargo-Moorhead where lesbians like her can feel accepted and safe. Samantha Maddock said the bar was "small, but nice" and seemed "very welcoming." She wasn't sure how often she'll come back, and said it will depend on the events that are held here. "It's smaller, but it feels like a lot more atmosphere here that brings people together," he said. Its rural location was mentioned by everyone interviewed by The Forum, including Josh Barduson, a Moorhead resident and gay man who described it as "out of the way," even if he liked the neighborhood bar vibe. "It's nice to be around people that are like you," she said.īut she said its rural setting was "concerning," especially when patrons have to drive so far to get drinks there. Jacobson, who identifies as lesbian, said the new bar could be a welcoming gathering space, even if it's much smaller than other gay bars she's visited. Since that closure, the closest gay bars to Fargo-Moorhead were in Winnipeg, Minnesota's Twin Cities, Sioux Falls, S.D., and the Duluth, Minn., area, all well over 100 miles away. She's been to gay bars before, including the former I-Beam nightclub in Moorhead that closed at the end of 2011. In some ways, that's exactly what they're doing-Friesz and Weber live in the house that's connected to the business.įargo resident Wendy Jacobson stopped by Saturday night with a friend. "We kind of looked at each other and said, 'I think we can make this work.' "Įven in its rough condition, Friesz said they could see potential for a welcoming rural bar that treats patrons like they were visiting a friend's house. "We both have really good decorating skills, as you can tell," he said, gesturing to the bar area that's been repainted and freshened.