Viral Lesbian Bar Last Ditch Will Close as It Seeks New Owners: “It’s Time We Pass It On”

Last Ditch, the small-town Massachusetts lesbian bar that became the center of a national firestorm after a Boston Globe article about the loosening of its masking policy went viral last month, announced on Monday that it will “soft close” as it seeks new ownership.In an Instagram post noting that the bar was searching for new owners, co-owners, or a full sale, Last Ditch said that it would “soft close effective immediately,” with “only booked events” continuing through the winter.A journalist with the Greenfield Recorder went to the bar in-person on Monday afternoon and reported that the lights were off, the doors were locked, and no one responded to knocking. The local newspaper was also unable to reach the bar for comment online or by phone.The bar is continuing to advertise events through Halloween while noting that it will be closed outside of these specified hours.Last month, Last Ditch became the subject of a mountain of online discourse over the Globe story, which documented infighting among the bar’s staff and customers as it struggled to produce revenue while adhering to a masking policy aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. In August 2026, as part of an attempt to remain financially afloat, the bar had attempted to loosen its policy to allow customers to attend one mask-optional night per week, and was met with pushback that became the central narrative of the Globe piece.The subsequent media attention — which included reports of a possible film option — led to an outpouring of public criticism and mockery, but also support for the embattled establishment. An online fundraiser for Last Ditch has raised 144% of a $150,000 goal as of this writing, with the stated purpose of paying rent and maintaining the facility, among other costs. The Recorder noted that the fundraiser was started prior to the publication of the Globe article, and that the page does not currently specify where any excess funds would be directed if the bar is succe