Comments on: “The Culture Has Changed”: Babylon Bar’s Owner Speaks on Venue’s Shock Closure

By: S.N.

S.N. — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:18:53 +0000

The many times I have gone to Babylon, I must confess, I noticed how starkly different the drinking culture is, compared to other establishments. You never saw ice buckets teeming with drinks. No bottle service with expensive drinks being served to tables. People there generally would buy a single beer or cider at a time, which was absurd to me. My friends and I suspected that a lot of patrons were already on some substances and would just get one or two beers to stay hydrated. Also the prices of drinks were not cheap. It would be interesting to know what straight patrons felt seeing all those videos constantly looping scenes of sexually explicit content, although it seemed noone cared, the times I went there. Such a shame to lose another venue for the queens to enjoy themselves in.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:23:15 +0000

The reduced use of alcohol is showing in the numbers across the world and is affecting not only clubs, but many food focused establishments, regardless of gender. In Canada, where I live and grow up or is increasingly the underlying reason for many closures in addition to extreme labour and rent costs for businesses. As a gay man, once what were once considered safe spaces for communities have now disappeared and business owners have to pivot and adapt with the times. For many folks, regardless of age or orientation, it’s rent or food as a need versus entertainment and higher alcohol price points as a want and the decisions are the former, not the latter in all honesty for the most part.

By: Willow

Willow — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:12:12 +0000

In reply to Tim. I also read that comment an thought well done people are making healthier choices.

By: sophiedefok

sophiedefok — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:12:43 +0000

In reply to Tim. yeah because it's so uncommon for a bar owner to be upset about getting less customers? Use your brain please Tim

By: ollie

ollie — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:35:30 +0000

In reply to Tim. you obviously care. You are here commenting on it. Please explain your thought process behind thinking that acknowledging that revenue is down due to lower alcohol sales is a bad thing? Its a club, their main revenue driver is the bar. Its a completely rational decision he's making. Why you being a doos?

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:01:50 +0000

Who THE HELL cares??!! Except it IS good to learn that “people are drinking less”. The owner, of course, sees this as a negative, as he would. That tells you all you need to know really.

By: Johan Slabbert

Johan Slabbert — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:08:14 +0000

Please consider opening at Carnaval Mall as the parking is secure