Lincoln’s LGBTQ+ Hub, Das Haus, to Close Amid Sale Agreement
Das Haus, an iconic LGBTQ+ bar and community venue in Lincoln, announced its impending closure after a 2-1 decision by its owners to accept a purchase offer. The establishment will serve its patrons for the last time on Sunday.
Co-owner Bryan Ruhs shared the news in a Facebook post, expressing the weight of the decision, especially given its timing. “For the last nine years, Das Haus has been more than just a bar. It has been a home, a safe space, a stage, a family, and a place where so many people, both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community, have found connection, acceptance, and belonging,” Ruhs wrote.
Despite the closure, Ruhs is exploring possibilities to reclaim the business or start anew. A GoFundMe initiative has been set up to support Ruhs’s efforts, amassing nearly $5,000 of its $140,000 target by Thursday afternoon.
Longtime patron Paige Patton, who helped initiate the fundraiser, noted the impact on performers and the community, stating, “People are going to have to re-pivot — where they want to have events, where they want to do shows, where they can showcase their art. It is going to be hard for everybody.”
Patton, alongside her partner, recently showcased the musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at Das Haus, emphasizing the personal loss felt by its closure. “We were excited to continue putting on shows like that and telling different queer stories. Now it’s going to be a little harder. We’re still going to do it, obviously, but that was such a space that was so welcoming and so perfectly set up for that,” she remarked.
Patton also highlighted the broader political implications, stating, “With the current political climate, with so many bills being passed and people feeling like there is no one out there to protect them or make them feel safe — having Das Haus continue to operate, whether it be in that current location or a new location, that’ll be the safe haven.”
Ryan Ostendorf, a Das Haus MC and vice president of Star City Pride, commented on the significance of the loss in Lincoln, a city where such venues are limited. “Lincoln is so small, it has one of everything. If you lose any of those items, there’s a loss there because they’re only a very specific niche. It’s not like we’ve got five clubs that we all go to. Each one has its intention and its purpose,” Ostendorf explained.
He acknowledged that Das Haus had surpassed expectations with its longevity, referencing previous closures in the community. “Das Haus beat the stereotype and has been around longer than anyone would expect. Just as the Q, Karma, or even the Panic have gone, something always comes in its place,” Ostendorf said.
