Loafers Bar
Gay bar in Cork, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loafers Bar, often referred to simply as Loafers, was a gay bar on Douglas Street in Cork, Ireland. Opened in 1983, it became a cultural and social space for the LGBTQ+ community in Cork and, prior to its closure in 2015, it was Ireland's oldest and longest-running gay bar.[1]
 Interactive map of Loafers Bar | |
| Address | Douglas Street, Cork, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Location | Cork |
| Coordinates | 51.89326°N 8.46976°W |
| Owner | Derrick Gerety (founder), later Rena Blake, Ted O’Connell |
| Type | Gay bar |
| Construction | |
| Opened | May 1983 |
| Closed | 2015 |
History
Loafers was opened in 1983 by Derrick Gerety and his partner Seamus Hogan. Though not initially intended to be a gay bar, it quickly became a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ people, especially during a time when homosexuality was still criminalised in Ireland (decriminalised in 1993).[1]
Under Gerety’s ownership, the bar became a hub for activism, arts, and social events. After 16 years, the bar was taken over by Rena Blake and later Ted O’Connell.[2]
Loafers became known for its inclusivity and community spirit. It hosted a variety of cultural events and became a support space for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. Women-only nights were a staple on Thursdays, providing space for lesbian and bisexual women.[3]
Closure and legacy
The bar closed in May 2015, while under the ownership of Ted O’Connell, with economic and personal reasons cited for the decision. Members of the local LGBTQ+ community expressed their sadness at its closure,[4] with some sources describing it a "cornerstone of queer life in Cork".[5] Loafers has been described as being "massively popular" during a period when few such spaces existed in Ireland.[6]
The bar's legacy has been preserved in academic, artistic, and archival work. It is featured in the 2023 documentary film Loafers, directed by Orla Egan,[7] and in the Cork LGBT Archive.[8]
In August 2025, a planning application was reportedly submitted to build apartments on the site.[9]