Pasadena Gay Bar Will Close on October 31

The Boulevard Bar owner Steve Terradot will retire and shutter the historic venue after 45 years of service.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings

The arched entrance of a Pasadena storefront building bathed in warm, long late-afternoon sunlight. — Steve Terradot will permanently close The Boulevard Bar in Pasadena on October 31, ending 45 years of service as the city's only gay bar. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Steve Terradot, the 69-year-old owner of The Boulevard Bar, has announced he will permanently close the Pasadena establishment on October 31, 2026. The venue has served as the city's only gay bar since its founding in 1981.

Why it matters

The closure marks the end of a long-standing community pillar in the San Gabriel Valley. Terradot cited his age and financial pressures, including decreased weekday patronage following the Eaton fire, as the primary reasons for the decision.

The Boulevard Bar has operated for 45 years since its 1981 opening, with Steve Terradot owning the business since 1999. The announcement has already generated 200 comments on social media.

The players

Steve Terradot

He is the 69-year-old owner of The Boulevard Bar who purchased the establishment in 1999.

The details

Terradot announced the closure via an Instagram post, expressing a desire for a new owner to take over the space on East Foothill Boulevard. The venue is scheduled to host a final Halloween party starting at 7 p.m. on its closing date.

The bar was established in 1981.
Steve Terradot purchased the business in 1999.
The closure was announced on Instagram on October 1, 2026.
The bar is set to close permanently on October 31, 2026.

Market Landscape

This closure reflects broader challenges faced by small businesses navigating the economic aftermath of regional disasters and rising local operational costs. The loss of this venue highlights the shrinking availability of dedicated social spaces for local minority communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

Regular patrons of the city's only gay bar will need to look to alternative locations in Montebello or Pomona for similar community environments. Local residents and loyal customers may attend the final Halloween event before the business ceases operations permanently.

The takeaway

The closure serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of independent social venues to shifts in the local economic climate. Community members seeking similar social environments may need to travel outside of Pasadena to find comparable establishments.