Full Breakdown
Last Ditch Bar Announces Soft Closure After Viral Mask-Policy Fallout
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Soft Closing and Search for New Ownership
On October 26, the lesbian bar and community venue Last Ditch in Greenfield, Massachusetts posted on Instagram that it was “soft closing effective immediately,” with only pre-booked events continuing through the winter. The announcement invited co-owners, new owners, or a full sale, valuing the bar’s equipment, furniture, inventory and social-media assets at roughly $70,000.
Background & Context: Mask Policy Sparks National Attention
Last Ditch opened in April 2025 with a mandatory KN-95 mask policy. On August 31, the bar announced Saturday nights would be “mask optional” to boost revenue. Critics accused the owners of ableism and endangering immunocompromised patrons, and the Boston Globe’s coverage turned the venue into a national flashpoint.
Financial Struggles Underlying the Decision
The three original co-owners—Jackie Matellian, Asa Rosario and Sage Territo—took out a $50,000 loan to launch the business. By the soft-closing announcement, two co-owners had left, and Matellian reported living in her truck while working multiple jobs to service the debt. The Instagram statement cited “ongoing financial difficulties” and an inability to assemble a board to transition to a worker-owned cooperative.
Data & Statistics: Decline of Lesbian Bars Nationwide
The Lesbian Bar Project tracks dedicated lesbian venues, noting a drop from about 200 bars in the 1980s to 15 by 2020, with 36 operating locations today. Last Ditch was among the few remaining spaces serving this community in New England.
Official Statements & Responses
- In a community meeting in early September, Matellian explained the loan burden and her housing situation, emphasizing that the mask-optional night was an attempt to address “financial constraints.”
- The bar later apologized for a “passive and dismissive tone” in its initial policy announcement, acknowledging that the phrasing “immunocompromised disabled divas” had caused hurt.
On-the-Ground Reports
A reporter from the Greenfield Recorder visited the bar on the day of the October 26 announcement and found the lights off, doors locked, and no response to knocking. Management could not be reached by phone or email.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The Instagram post did not specify a permanent-closure date, while some outlets described the move as “closing for good this winter.”
- Sources differ on whether the mask-policy change was the primary catalyst; the bar cites longstanding financial strain, whereas critics argue the policy shift precipitated a loss of patron support.
Verbatim Quote
- “Across the country, we’re seeing more and more lesbian bars pop up again as people are realizing that connecting to larger community is really important, and we knew that there were people in this area who were really craving that sort of space.” — Asa Rosario, co-founder
What’s Next
No scheduled deadline for a sale has been disclosed, and the venue will continue to honor existing bookings through the winter while remaining closed to the public.