When Bolt closed on March 4, members of Lafayette's gay and queer community mourned the end of an era for Acadiana's once-lively gay bar scene.Ìý
On Friday, Bolt's social media pages came online again with an announcement: the Jefferson Street Library, a new LGBTQ+ bar, will open April 25 at 222 Jefferson St., in the same downtown Lafayette space formerly occupied by Bolt.Ìý
"Get ready for unforgettable nights filled with amazing cocktails, fun events, and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can be their true selves. Whether you're here for a lively drag show, karaoke, or simply to connect with friends, The Jefferson Street Library is your new home away from home," according to a Friday, April 11 post Facebook pages.ÌýÂ
Bolt offered weekly drag performances and other nightlife events designed to welcome people from across Acadiana and south Louisiana who identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. When they closed, proprietor Justin Menard teased a second act, writing on Facebook, "As one chapter ends, another will begin! This isn’t goodbye, it’s a see you later!"Â
Bolt was the "only spot for good drag performances," according to longtime customer and New Iberia resident Cameron Broussard. With this news, Jefferson Street Library is poised to open as Acadiana's only gay bar, the latest in a line of institutions that stretch back to bars like Fantasy, Leaping Lena's and Frank's that were popular LGBTQ+ gathering spots in 1970s and '80s Lafayette.Ìý
More recently, gay bars like Jules Downtown and Fame overlapped briefly with Bolt, which opened in 2014 and remained open in various downtown Lafayette locations for over ten years.Ìý
