The devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives in just a week, leaving a trail of destruction that has impacted homes, businesses, and communities throughout the city. Among the casualties is The Ruby Fruit, a beloved lesbian bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood that had served as a vital gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community.
On Sunday, the bar’s owners, Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram that The Ruby Fruit would be closing its doors due to the financial strain caused by the ongoing disaster. “We have come to the heartbreaking decision that at this time, operating The Ruby Fruit is no longer possible due to financial impact from the current natural disaster,” the post read.
A Rare Sanctuary for LGBTQ+ Women
Opened in 2023, The Ruby Fruit was a rare addition to the shrinking number of lesbian bars across the United States. Located in a small strip mall on Sunset Boulevard, the bar became a vital hub for LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles. At the time of its opening, it was the only bar dedicated to lesbian women in the city, a distinction that was later shared by Honey’s at Star Love in East Hollywood.
In a country where lesbian bars have become increasingly rare, the closure of The Ruby Fruit marks a significant loss for the LGBTQ+ community. According to The Lesbian Bar Project, the number of lesbian bars in the U.S. dropped from over 200 in 1980 to just 24 by 2021. Despite these challenges, a small resurgence in recent years had breathed new life into establishments like The Ruby Fruit, which quickly garnered a loyal following.
The bar’s name was inspired by Rita Mae Brown’s 1973 novel Rubyfruit Jungle, a groundbreaking coming-of-age story about a lesbian woman’s journey to self-acceptance. For co-owners Bielagus and Herbkersman, the name was a tribute to the book’s legacy and its role in queer literary history.
A Space for Community
Though only 500 square feet, The Ruby Fruit had an outsized impact on the local LGBTQ+ scene. The bar’s intimate setting allowed it to function not only as a bar but also as a community space where queer individuals could feel seen and supported. In an interview with Condé Nast Traveler, Herbkersman described how the space evolved beyond a restaurant, becoming a hub for connection and inclusion.
“After we opened The Ruby Fruit, we quickly learned that we had to function as not just a restaurant but a community space,” Herbkersman said. “The queer community is full of diversity and nuance. We want to create a little bit of space for everyone to feel at home.”
The bar hosted a variety of regular programming, including TRANScendent Tuesdays, a gender-expansive mixer, and other popular events like Queereoke and Verse4Verse Poetry, a queer open mic night. These events brought together a diverse range of people from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. On many nights, the bar’s small space would overflow into the parking lot, a testament to its popularity and the strong sense of community it had cultivated.
Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles
The ongoing wildfires have affected many businesses and residents across Los Angeles, but the impact on The Ruby Fruit was particularly devastating. Bielagus and Herbkersman explained that the financial realities of operating the business in the aftermath of the fires made it impossible to continue.
“The hospitality industry functions on a day-by-day basis and right now, as they say — the math just isn’t mathing,” the co-owners wrote in their farewell post.
Despite the bar’s closure, Bielagus and Herbkersman are still using the space to give back to the community. They have transformed The Ruby Fruit into a donation drop-off and distribution center for victims of the wildfires. “Even as we write this, we have folks filling their cars and driving supplies to area shelters and resource centers,” the post continued. “Please keep an eye on this Instagram account for more information regarding that.”
In the wake of the closure, both owners expressed their gratitude for the support they received over the past two years. “There isn’t much more to say beyond: we love you, LA. We love you, queer fam. We are grateful for the support you’ve shown us,” they wrote. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
A Loss for the Queer Community
The loss of The Ruby Fruit is a particularly painful blow to the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles, a city that has long been seen as a haven for queer individuals seeking support and acceptance. The bar’s closure highlights the broader struggles faced by many small businesses in the hospitality industry, especially those serving marginalized communities.
For many, The Ruby Fruit was more than just a place to grab a drink; it was a safe haven where queer individuals could be themselves without fear of judgment. Its closure underscores the devastating toll the wildfires have taken on the city and the fragility of spaces that serve as essential cultural and social resources for vulnerable populations.
As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the aftermath of the fires, the legacy of The Ruby Fruit will live on in the memories of those whose lives were touched by the bar’s unique spirit and its commitment to building a welcoming, inclusive community.
