Over the last few decades, the number of lesbian bars dropped significantly, from roughly 200 in the 1980s, to a low of 21 in 2021. Since then, weve seen a resurgence of lesbian and sapphic-focused spaces: according to The Lesbian Bar Project, were now up to 38. You may know the classics like Cubbyhole, Gossip Grill and Henrietta Hudson, but there are also spots, new and established, working hard to keep the lights on.Boyfriend (Brooklyn, New York)Dont be fooled by the name of this Brooklyn-based bar: Boyfriend is for the girls and the people that love them. Started in 2022 by two friends, Boyfriend has expanded into a coffee house and co-working space during the day, and a cocktail bar at night. Its also a cooperative, meaning Boyfriend is worker-run and owned. Boyfriend also leans into the late-90s, early-aughts aesthetic for those looking for a little taste of nostalgia.The Last Ditch (Greenfield, Massachusetts)If live music and performance art are your proverbial cup of tea, then The Last Ditch in Greenfield, Massachusetts should be on your list. This small town bar has a lot to offer, from game nights and karaoke to dance parties and burlesque. In many ways, The Last Ditch is reminiscent of the heyday of spaces for queer women, full of variety and opportunity, while not being anchored in a major city.Mother Bar (San Francisco, California)Call. Me. Mother Bar. This Bay Area bar refers to itself as Dyke of Center and offers a wide variety of sapphic-centric events that reach out to more marginalized members of the community. For example, the Seasoned dance party welcomes queers in their prime years while Melanin & Estrogen is focused on trans femmes of color.Scarlet Fox Wine Bar (San Francisco, California)Located just two miles from Mother Bar, Scarlett Fox Wine Bar offers a totally different vibe for those wanting a more relaxed, wine focused experience. Opened in 2023 by married couple Kate Maeder and Kaela Miller, this NoPa neighborhood establishment offers a rotating selection of wines from around the world, plus charcuterie and the occasional local chef pop-up.Water Bear Bar (Boise, Idaho)This bartender owned, woman owned, and queer owned cocktail & oyster lounge is located right at the edge of downtown Boise. Named after the resilient eight-legged micro creature, Waterbear has been featured as a top queer cocktail bar in publications across the country, and was a recipient of HRC and Showtimes 2023 Queer to Stay grant.Yellow Brick Road Bar (Tulsa, Oklahoma)Were not in Kansas anymore, but were right next door in Oklahoma! Opened in 2000, YBR is the oldest bar on our list. In 2022, the bar suffered a devastating fire, but the community came together and a year later YBR reopened and has remained a fixture of the Tulsa LGBTQ+ community. Now customers can pop in any night of the week and attend events like dance parties, Hangover Hoe Downs, comedy shows and concerts.Lesbian bars may be fewer than in decades past, but the ones that remain continue to adapt, expand and center community. From longtime fixtures to new spaces with fresh ideas, these bars remind us that queer gathering places are still here and still matter.The post Lesbian bars in the U.S. you may not know about but should appeared first on News Is Out.