Chelsea's Rawhide Bar To Close

Jeremiah Moss has some sad news at Vanishing New York.

Opened in 1979, the Rawhide is one of the last of a handful of old-school, unpretentious gay bars left in New York City. It is a survivor. But it won't be for long. The building that houses it on 8th and 21st in Chelsea was sold a couple of years ago and the new landlord has jacked up the rent, nearly doubling it from $15,000 to $27,000 a month. The Rawhide has officially been evicted. Their last day will be March 31.

A dozen years ago my first New York City apartment was around the corner from the Rawhide. Hit the link for much more, including a call for Rawhide fan Christine Quinn to intervene.

RELATED: In much better news for historic gay bars, the San Francisco Eagle reopened this weekend.