Good vibes: Dedicated LGBTQ+ venue to open in Cork City this weekend
The Owner The Bowler A Of In Heart Cork Venue Of Lgbtq+ New Is City Jen Vibe,
Cork City is set to welcome its only permanent dedicated LGBTQ+ venue this weekend.
Vibe will open its doors this Saturday night on Oliver Plunkett Street and promises to be a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community.
While many places host nights and events aimed towards LGBTQ+ people, Vibe will be the only permanent nightclub specifically for the community in all of Munster.
Owner Jen Bowler spoke of the importance of venues such as Vibe for people to be able to go to and feel safe and welcome.
A Tralee native, Ms Bowler moved to Cork at the age of 18 and was grateful to find a space that would welcome her completely.
"Having somewhere to go in Cork at that time allowed me to be my true authentic self and now I want to be able to offer that same safe space to our amazing community," she said.
A guitarist in a band, Ms Bowler met her fiancee Caroline when they were both booked to play at the same venue. A friendship bloomed and romance soon followed. Now, Ms Bowler is juggling opening a bar and planning a wedding that is just 10 weeks away.
Ms Bowler is excited at the prospect there will be people who will find their partner on a night out in Vibe.
That's what it's all about, she said. A fun place filled with great entertainment where you can meet people you like and people that you love.
Vibe opens just over four months after another Cork venue controversially removed all of its LGBTQ+ flags and decor.
In September, Chambers bar, which had been a self-proclaimed "favourite haunt of the LGBTQ+ community" in Cork, removed items relating to the community ahead of Fresher's Week.
The decision was met with shock and disbelief from its performers and patrons alike, with hundreds joining a protest outside the bar.
It also prompted a wider discussion about the lack of and need for dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces.
Vibe is entering the scene at an opportune moment but it is something Ms Bowler has been working on for a long time.
She got the go-ahead last week and spoke of the whirlwind it has been to prepare for opening night.
The line-up is under wraps for now but those who are interested should keep an eye on the Vibe socials over the coming days.
Looking ahead, Ms Bowler said Vibe would absolutely be doing something special for the Eurovision as Cork's own Bambie Thug flies the flag for Ireland and the LGBTQ+ community.
Ms Bowler is also hoping to secure the in-demand singer for a gig at Vibe sometime soon.