Queer spaces in Kansas City take a hit with the sudden closing of Fountain Haus
Fountain Haus // Photo courtesy of Fountain Haus
The availability of queer safe spaces in the U.S. is dwindling, and Kansas City took a hit this weekend with the sudden closing of Fountain Haus.
Located on the corner of Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard, Fountain Haus was a multi-level LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub that took over the space of the former HopCat. Fountain Haus was the area’s “one-stop shop” for bar hopping, where patrons could enjoy four separate spaces and vibes under one roof, with areas to eat, drink, dance, and experience drag performances.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, they served their last drink and permanently closed their doors. With their grand opening in April of 2022, Fountain Haus had only been in business just shy of two years. The news of their permanent closure comes as a shock to the public, as little to no warning was offered.
The owner, David Brinkerhoff, says, “Time flies, and along the way, we encountered a few more challenges than we expected. Despite our team’s hard work and dedication, we’ve reached a point where keeping Fountain Haus open is not possible any longer.”
The team at Fountain Haus wanted to be sure that their deep gratitude was shared with the public: “We can’t thank everyone enough who was with us on this ride—our amazing team, every single person who walked through our doors, and our partners in the community.”
Fountain Haus was a space that loved and was loved by its patrons and will be deeply missed in the community as a hub for diversity and inclusion.
