Cruze Bar to close in Pittsburgh, plans farewell bash

A landmark gay bar in Pittsburgh’s Strip District is closing.

Cruze Bar opened seven years ago along Smallman Street, providing a destination dance, bar and lounge experience for members of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community—offering a classic dance club environment and garnering a faithful customer base.

But new development is on the horizon in the city’s Strip District—forcing some businesses, like Cruze, to relocate or close.

The doors will open for the last time at 9 p.m. Friday for a final farewell bash dubbed “Curtain Call: The Once and For All Closing Ball”

Cruz event organizer Jesse Ryan has planned live entertainment that includes 14 performers.

“We’ll be featuring drag kings and queens, live vocals and a few surprises,” Ryan said. “Closing out the night we have DJ Hypnotyza playing all of our best anthems to close out such a special occasion, as well as the greatest hits of the last seven years. It’s going to be one absolutely fabulous final farewell.”

Cruze’s closing was supposed to happen last year said co-owner and general manager Greg Campo.

“We had extensions to stay open last September from the new buyer of the building but now all tenants must vacate,” Campo said. “Our business has been in its prime and we are a close knit family here. I’ve been in this business a long time now and this is my dream.”

The four-story building at 1600 Smallman Street was purchased by Chicago developer McCaffery Interests.

McCaffery’s website highlights plans for the historic redevelopment of the 1921 structure that include an attached 253 stall parking facility, 35,000 square feet of ground level retail and 85,000 square feet of office space which will be available for lease upon completion of the redevelopment project.

The building is adjacent to the iconic Produce Terminal in the Strip District and McCaffery website references an intention to preserve the building’s distinguishing architectural features such as exposed brick, American chestnut wood floors and ceilings and large warehouse windows.

“From my understanding, our Cruze part of the building will be demolished and the rest of the building will be remodeled,” Campo said.

Other businesses housed in the same building, Costume World, Stout Training, Xtaza and Room 16 have either already closed or are in the process of vacating.

Longtime Cruze patron and Mexican War Streets resident Danny Haas, 27, said he’s saddened by the closure.

“My heart is broken over the closing of the establishment. It will be greatly missed,” Haas said. “It has been a staple location in the Strip and a safe space for the LGBTQIAK+ community for the past seven years.”

Cruze is owned by two married couples: Greg Campo and Ted Prengaman and Steve Herforth and Peter Karlovich.

Campo could not rule out the possibility of Cruze eventually relocating elsewhere, but said, for now, there are no immediate plans to relocate.

“Honestly this is probably the end of an era,” said Campo, citing a more expensive Pittsburgh real estate market and difficulty in locating a venue that has enough dance club space downtown. “I can say it’s a possibility, but for now, I am going to enjoy time with our one-year old son.”

Ryan said the iconic Cruze welcome banner, often used for patron selfies, hanging inside Cruze stating all are open with open hearts and minds, will be auctioned off Friday night.

“This is our last goodbye and we wanted to say thank you for the past seven years,” Ryan said. “It’s been an incredible journey and we couldn’t have built this legacy without each of you.”

With Cruze’s closing, college students from nearby Pitt, CMU, Duquesne and Point Park are losing the only 18+ club in Pittsburgh.

“Our college nights had lines wrapped around for blocks and only $5 cover charge,” Campo said. “We welcome anyone—our motto was as long as you are a nice person you are welcome.”

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.