June 22, 2023 By Michael Dorgan
Where everybody knows your name since 1989!
The Queens Historical Society honored Friend’s Tavern on June 21 for being the longest-serving LGBTQ+ bar in the borough.
Friends Tavern, established in 1989 at 78-11 Roosevelt Ave., was awarded a “Queensmark” plaque in recognition of its long-run and positive impact on the Queens’ LGBTQ+ community. The Queens Historical Society awards Queensmarks to honor structures and venues that have outstanding architectural, cultural and/or historical significance in the borough.
Leaders from the Queens Historical Society presented the plaque in front of the bar to co-owners Eduardo “Eddie” Valentin, and Casimiro Villa – who are of Latin-American descent. Councilman Shekar Krishnan also attended the event, as did dozens of regular patrons who celebrated the occasion during a special party inside the establishment that featured singing, dancing and drag queen shows.
The establishment was draped in Pride flags and banners with the Friend’s Tavern logo.
Jason Antos, the executive director of the Queens Historical Society, said that Friend’s Tavern was very deserving of the award since it has been welcoming members of the LGBTQIA+ for nearly 35 years. He noted that many patrons are immigrants, some of whom come from countries where their sexuality is prohibited by law and/or shunned by popular culture.
“For more than 30 years the Friend’s Tavern of Jackson Heights has been a safe nightlife space for the LGBTQ+ community and is a living testament to the wonderful historic diversity of Queens,” Antos said.
He noted that the operators of the bar have been major supporters and sponsors of the Queens Pride Parade and Festival since it began in 1993 and helped play a pivotal role in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in Queens.
Antos said that during the AIDS epidemic, the bar facilitated on-site testing for…
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