The owners hope the venue will become a gathering place for artists to teach and practice during the day–a bigger version of Arlene’s Grocery, the music venue they also own. “Being in queer communities and gay bars surpasses what I felt growing up in religious communities - the sort of transcendence and connection– and 3 Dollar Bill’s physical space lends itself to that feeling,” he said. Greg Barker, a 3 Dollar Bill patron who describes himself as a faggot, appreciates that ambiance. Its entrance sits under a logo of a trinity of hairy white legs next to a large graffiti piece by Coro Crew.
The new venue– located in a former brewery with stone floors, high ceilings, and a big outdoor space– holds 625 people.
“The big thing is, there’s no neighbors, and you’re not getting the calls from the neighbors to turn down the music.” Breathnach and the other owners took this into account when scouting for 3 Dollar Bill, for which they secured a 25-year lease. The problem is not just high rents, but conservative community values: the Greenpoint bar Lulu’s closed after a clause in the lease prevented the owner from converting it to a gay bar. The launch came after a spate of closures in recent years in Brooklyn, including Sugarland Nightclub, This N’ That, Veronica’s, and Lovegun. “Up until the last day, we weren’t sure whether this place could open.” She and her partners, who also own the East Village gay bar Phoenix, spent two years trying to get the new venue up and running. “We should be proud of ourselves that we opened it, because a lot of people tried and didn’t succeed,” co-owner Brenda Breathnach said. 3 Dollar Bill opened this summer near the Montrose L stop as the largest queer venue in Brooklyn.