Largest gay bar in ohio is buckeye stadium

This article was republished with permission from The Buckeye Flame. Nary a Cavs jersey or Ohio State helmet in sight, the walls are instead adorned with toys, pop culture references, board games, action figures, vibrant artwork, and flags covering the vast spectrum of identity. Thanks to the pandemic, walls resembling Star Wars ship interiors have been put up between high top tables, and the giant Demogorgon from Stranger Things next to the pinball machine is wearing a mask.

Depending on the vibe of the day, and whichever bartender got a hold of the iPod first, the music pumping through the speakers is unpredictable. Is today a day filled with electro swing? Japanese chiptune? Owned and operated by national treasures Sam Bridgeman and Kelly Quest, The Side Quest was created as a table-top board game bar, a safe haven for geeks and weirdos who never felt like they quite fit in with the more stereotypical Cleveland scene.

No, the Browns game is not going to be on the big TV in the middle of the bar. Doctor Who is on tonight and we have priorities.

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Where are we going to be able to go to hear a spontaneous articulation of why professional wrestling is queer entertainment on the same night as an impassioned defense of why Captain Janeway on Star Trek Voyager is the most important character in the canon of captains? Where are we going to go to spontaneously bust out matched arm choreography to warn newbies not to park in the parking lot toward the bookcases?

Where are we going to play Yu-Gi-Oh! I say this with no hyperbole: The Side Quest was a safe haven and a life-saving place for a lot of people. I know this, because had it not been for The Side Quest, I genuinely believe I would not be alive today. As much as SQ was a place for joyous celebration, it was also a comforting place to go when times were tough.

Chances are, the person next to you was also going through it, and if not them, someone behind the bar probably was too. You were never, ever alone at Side Quest, even if you were the only patron in the whole place. Side Quest regulars are the welcoming, empathetic, understanding, affirming, loving, and respectful kind of people who understand the importance of social distancing, mask-wearing, and keeping the community safe.

Why do you ask? When the news broke that The Side Quest was shutting its doors, it felt like finding out someone I loved had died. So I propose a toast. Raise a glass or a lightsaber to Sam, Kelly, and everyone who helped make The Side Quest the rust belt utopia that it was. Thank you for the parties, the games, the drinks, the food, the laughs, the tears, the memories, the safety, and the community.

You made Northeast Ohio a better and safer place to exist freely, authentically, and proudly. The Side Quest may be complete, but all of us are stronger and better prepared to tackle whatever comes next in this adventure we call life because of you. So long, and thanks for all the fish. Like this story?

Take our community impact survey here and support local journalism by becoming a member of The Land. BJ is a social emotional theatre teaching artist and a professional horror film journalist and theorist.