LGBTQ+ bar Stonewall Warehouse closes in San Marcos

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The community is rallying around former employees of the Stonewall Warehouse, the first and only LGBTQ+ bar in San Marcos. It closed its doors on New Year’s Day.

The Stonewall warehouse opened eight years ago in San Marcos. It was an LGBTQ+ bar with karaoke, drag shows and other activities.

“It’s always been a party, you just never know what’s going to happen,” said former Stonewall Warehouse Jazz biological queen Mona Colton.

Former employees said it meant more to them, it was home.

“God, it’s so hard when you think about home, you think about coming home and eating hot food and all that stuff, that’s what Stonewall was like for me, it’s like coming home and getting hugs from mom and dad and being there. . with your whole family, your sisters,” Colton said.

“It was a place for them to be themselves, and they don’t feel that much in public places and things like that,” said former Stonewall Warehouse bartender Cooper Murphy.

“It was just a comfortable place that I knew I would always have special memories and where I would meet some really cool people,” said former Stonewall Warehouse assistant manager Lucas Jimenez.

Jimenez said Stonewall helped raise awareness and bring more people into the LGBTQIA community.

“This college town that had so many different people was able to come together in one place, make friends, make happy memories and do what they wanted to do for themselves and their friends who are part of the community,” Jimenez said.

Former employees said it was a space for inclusivity and they became who they are today thanks to Stonewall.

“It was like I was introduced to makeup and drag and everything that I love now, like fashion,” Jimenez said.

“This place raised me from day one,” Colton said.

On the first day of the New Year, the staff learned that it was closing.

“It was absolutely amazing,” said former Stonewall Warehouse bartender Devin Smith.

“I think it’s definitely a step backwards, but not in the right direction,” Jimenez said.

They said that San Marcos needs places like Stonewall and the events it helps and look forward to what happens in the future.

“Hopefully we will have more people wanting to open more of these places and kind of wanting to fill the gap where it’s missing right now and use it somewhere else,” Jimenez said.

“It would be great if one day another gay bar opens here,” Murphy said.

GoFundMe was created to help those who have been fired.

A benefit evening for Stonewall performers takes place at The Porch on January 26th.