No, Fubar is not moving to the old Gym Bar Space. However, Fubar’s owner Jay Krymis tells WEHO TIMES he is opening a new gay bar at the former home of the popular sports bar, which moved to a new location a few blocks west on Santa Monica Boulevard. He says the new bar is going to be “gay, gay, gay!”
His comments are in response to reactions after Krymis posted a video last Friday where he spoke of a new gay bar opening at the empty space at 8737 Santa Monica Boulevard, by Hancock Avenue. His connection to Fubar, and the Fubar Halloween pop-up at this space on Halloween weekend had some community members wondering if this was the new hone of the edgy bar known for scandalous theme nights like BFD Night.
New gay bar coming soon – Photo by Fernie Rojo for WEHO TIMES“This is our new bar in West Hollywood just a couple of blocks down the road from Fubar,” he said in a Facebook live video. “It used to be the old Gym Bar. The owners Hunter and Geo found a better location further west and moved on out. So here we are. A couple of more months of construction and it’s going to be super cute. It’s going to be super sexy. I think you’re going to love it.”
Community members thought Krymis was moving Fubar to this new space, but the new gay bar, which is yet to be named, will be a whole different concept he says.
“Fubar needs to be a more edgy, Eastcoast, Meatpacking district kind of vibe,” he said. “This new space is going to be a cool, fun, neighborhood bar. It’s going to be a chill gay, gay, gay bar. If the landlord approves, I want to put some sliding garage doors to give it an open feel. I met with a landscaper today and want to it be a casual and super fun bar. It won’t be sports or down and dirty, which I love at Fubar, but great cocktail at an affordable price kind of place. Nothing high falutin. I want to make it feel like it’s been there for a long time and make it cozy.”
According to the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) the owners of The Normandie Room, which was a lesbian bar at that location prior to when Gym Bar moved in, obtained the liquor license to the space and Krymis bought the liquor license from them, which is currently in transition.
Fubar has been closed throughout the pandemic, leaving many to wonder if the bar will ever open again.
Regarding the future of the Fubar space, Krymis says he just signed a new lease for another 10 years, and he has plans for Fubar that he’s not able to discuss at the moment. He plans to complete the new gay bar and then circle back to Fubar. “Fubar is coming back in the same old Fubar spot, but it needs to be cleaned up a bit,” he said.
Krymis is hoping the new, yet to be named bar, will open in February or March of next year. We will keep you posted.
I feel sorry for them at the old GYM location having to tolerate an AWFUL landlord who threw the previous tenant out in the middle of a pandemic. Who is going to take up the lease? Nobody for a year! He’s a scrooge and a jerk landlord.
My read is that Fubar will come back hipster and not gay. We shall see
Happy to read Fubar renewed their lease but this latest development Makes no sense. How about taking care of business at Fubar first before opening a new bar? At least now we know Fubar won’t be opening for another year. Congrats on the new bar, but we want Fubar back.
Great read. I’ve been wondering what was coming to this spot. The Weho Times is proving to be a great resource for night life news. Keep up the great work guys.
Good article, but you need a proofreader.