The Worcester gay scene is about to get bigger with new bar this fall

A new gay bar is headed to the second-largest city in New England.

Mark Mark
Aug 26, 2026 - 20:00
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The Worcester gay scene is about to get bigger with new bar this fall
A rainbow flag flies alongside the sunset in Worcester.

Good news for Worcester gays and Massachusetts visitors: A new gay bar is headed to the second-largest city in New England to help queer patrons indulge in their favorite vices, and most importantly, serve as a vital gathering place.

Vice Worcester, located at 27 Pleasant St., is set to open in October or November, arriving right at the tail end of this year’s Worcester Pride.

As co-owners Andrew Lapin and his boyfriend Mike Steward recently told Worcester Magazine, it’s high time another venue joins the Worcester LGBTQ+ scene, which currently includes GayCities faves MB Lounge and Femme Bar.

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The owners envision Vice Worcester becoming the “galvanizing force” between the city’s “disparate” LGBTQ+ scene, especially considering the specific communities its other spots serve.

“What people miss about a gay bar is the culture and the history of the format of a gay bar,” Lapin said.

“It’s not ‘gay men only.’ It’s meant to be a community space, more than just for getting a drink … There are a lot of queer folks and very few dedicated queer spaces.”

According to the owners, Vice Worcester is in the process of recruiting an all-LGBTQ+ team, including bar staff, electricians, sound technicians, and a mural artist.

Its programming will include “Latin dance nights, drag brunches, open mics, game night and sober Sundays.”

Thankfully, the team already has its seasoned entertainment director on lock: DJ Patrick Joslyn, also known as RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Joslyn Fox.

For the trio, the new spot is a vital step forward in giving Worcester the queer scene it deserves.

“The alcohol is secondary and the community is first,” Lapin said. “If you build it, they will come.”

You can learn more about Vice Worcester on their Instagram.

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