In the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City, the legendary Stonewall Inn continues to stand as both a historic landmark and a living, breathing center of LGBTQ+ culture. For the past 20 years, owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly have carried the responsibility of preserving its legacy while evolving it into a vibrant, community-driven space. More than just a bar, Stonewall remains a symbol of resilience, equality and unity—welcoming generations of visitors who come not only to celebrate, but to connect with the powerful history that began within its walls.
INTERVIEW
As spring brings renewed energy to the city, how is Stonewall planning to capture that spirit in this season’s events?
K- It’s in the air. You walk out the door and you smell the air and it smells like freedom. It is also a lot of work for the Stonewall itself. We are right in the midst of the heavy duty part of our business because we’re preparing for Pride month.
S- In the spring, you see a lot more people are out and about in the streets. The outside cafe is open, which is great so people can sit outside and enjoy cocktails. You will see a lot more different events. And I think once people get that idea that they just want to be out and about, they always think of Stonewall as being the birthplace and the home of where they want to come and visit. Spring also means tourists. We get a lot more foot traffic in the spring. It is a way to celebrate and come together. It’s a sense of renewal. That renewal for us also means that we keep Stonewall at the forefront of equality and continue to fight back as well. It’s a renewal for equality, a renewal for LGBTQ people coming together with their chosen families at the Stonewall Inn.
Are there any special themed nights, performances or community gatherings you’re particularly excited about this spring?
K- The Miss Stonewall pageant. Throughout the year, we always have special events, but in May it is when we do the Miss Stonewall pageant. It will take place on May 31st this year.
How does Stonewall continue to honor its historic legacy while also creating fresh, contemporary experiences for guests?
S- One of the ways we do that is through our nonprofit The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. In addition to hosting thousands of charity events and fundraises for other nonprofits, we are going into our 20th year. We have always honored that legacy by continuing to host events for the community by the community. We’ve almost operated like a community center. So, through the nonprofit is one way that we do that. In addition to creating new experiences, which really comes from the community itself. Wanting to do the fundraisers. It could be anything from a fundraiser to somebody who’s going through a gender-affirming care moment or it can be a fundraiser for a large national nonprofit. Or a grassroots activist organization. Or just somebody who wants to celebrate their birthday. So we are always honoring the legacy through our nonprofit and teaching people about the history as soon as they walk through the door.
K- It is educating and continuing to educate. Continuing to go with the times is the most important thing. We are the keepers of history. So it’s important that we educate the youth. The youth doesn’t know what it was like not being able to say who you love. Or to be who you are.
Can you share any collaborations with LGBTQ+ artists, performers or organizations that will be featured this season?
S- I know that we have a lot of different folks that come in all the time and especially our piano bar upstairs has a lot of incredible people. Which is more June related. In June, we have our Pride kickoff. We typically have an LGBTQ artist that comes through on that particular day.
K- Mostly when they are high profile, they are surprises.
Looking ahead, how do these spring events set the tone for Pride season and the months that follow?
K – I’m going to go back to what I said before. A lot of hard work. I have been working since seven this morning. Booking people. Doing this. Doing that. Making sure everything is done. Getting everything prepared for springtime. We open our cafe April 24th, which is outside. So now we are preparing for that. Getting the tables set up. Getting people to work. Trying to get the staff. And the parties. Endless parties. From March 17th on, we have special parties upstairs until after Gay Pride. Right now, it’s just trying to fit everyone in and make everyone happy.
S- I think it is really important to add that all of these LGBTQ+ bars are safe spaces for communities. Where we do gather in the spring and come hang out with our chosen families, they do not exist unless people continue to support. These places exist only if you come in and support and buy a drink or three. So, to really remind folks that all these safe spaces or places that they may have taken for granted for all these years, they could go away in a blink of an eye if you don’t come out and support them.
K- The younger generation doesn’t like to drink. But they have to know they have to support where this all started. It is not just our bar. All gay bars in general. The original safe spaces. We all have to support these safe spaces.
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