Bushwick’s Boyfriend is the new day-to-night queer space we desperately needed

Queer people (i.e. me) often complain about the lack of queer spaces that exist outside of nightlife. And while I love going out as much as the next person, it’s a fact that we simply need more daytime queer spaces where we can just chill, be sober and exchange ideas without an Ellie Goulding club remix drowning out our every thought. 

Luckily, a new daytime/nighttime queer space, Boyfriend, is opening in Bushwick at the end of the month that promises to be a space of community and collaboration.

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Boyfriend describes itself as a daytime-nighttime cafe/bar “that will cater to the queer community and care for the workers that build it,” per an Instagram post. “It's a space with affordable pricing, friendly vibes, fairly compensated bartenders and baristas, yummy drinks and cutesy décor.”

Perhaps the most unique feature of Boyfriend is that it’s built on a multi-stakeholder co-op model. According to the business' Instagram account, that means that all involved workers will have the opportunity to become owners after a six-month-long training process. On top of that, all customers will be able to purchase a co-op membership, which includes a free coffee once a month, free access to events and voting rights to help determine how the business is run. 

The opening of Boyfriend comes two-and-a-half years after its founders started throwing pop-up events, crowdfunding campaigns and searched for prime real estate around the city. 

Last week, the team finally announced details about its grand opening party, set to happen on Saturday, March 29, from 8am to 2am. Boyfriend will be located on 1157 Myrtle Ave, just steps away from the Myrtle-Broadway M/J/Z stop.