The last bar manager at Aunt Charlies, the last gay bar in the Tenderloin

Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, the last gay bar in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, faces an uncertain future after the death of owner Bill Erkelens. Bar manager Joe Mattheisen, 76, has been at the bar since 1997 and is in the process of forming an LLC to keep the establishment operational. Once a thriving queer corridor, the neighborhood has transitioned into a landscape of nonprofits and temporary housing, diminishing its previous vibrancy. The bar hosts popular drag shows, including performances by Davida Ashton, who boasts over 53 years in the San Francisco drag scene. Mattheisen aims to maintain the bar for at least four more years, emphasizing the importance of its community atmosphere.

With $5. 25 well drinks and a welcoming environment, Aunt Charlie’s continues to attract patrons seeking connection. The bar symbolizes resilience amid changing times, serving as a reminder of the LGBTQ+ history in the Tenderloin. As the last of its kind, Aunt Charlie’s embodies both nostalgia and the ongoing fight for queer spaces.