Miami’s queer nightlife took another hit as two beloved LGBTQ+ venues announced their closures — Willy’s Neighborhood Bar and Gramps, both in Wynwood. Willy’s, which first opened in April 2024, shut its doors on Saturday, August 23. In the Instagram post, it said, “…While the landscape around us is being reshaped, one thing that will never change is the community we’ve built together.”
Though plagued by earlier closures and reopenings, Willy’s had become a cherished space for Miami’s queer community. Known for flamboyant themed parties — from Night of a Thousand Madonnas to RuPaul’s Drag Race watch nights — it even won “Best Gay Bar” in New Times’ 2025 Best of Miami issue. Meanwhile, Gramps — a Wynwood institution for 13 years — also announced its end. Owner Adam Gersten recently posted: “We’re leaving on our terms — it’s our choice… The time to leave Wynwood has come.”
Gramps is more than a bar; it is home to karaoke, drag shows, live bands, and its legendary Rosemary’s Baby cocktail. Social media responses to this closure showed a lot of grief. One commenter declared: “The last piece of what made Wynwood special is gone.” Another simply wrote: “RIP to Wynwood.” Gramps will remain open until the end of 2025, closing officially in 2026. For Miami’s LGBTQ+ community, the double loss underscored the shrinking number of queer spaces, a trend worsened by soaring rents, an unfavorable political environment, and redevelopment pressures.
