George Kotsiopoulos (left), Stephanie Schestag (center), and Rob Novinger are business partners in Or Bar, a new West Hollywood gay bar that has taken over the space that formerly housed Gold Coast. Photo: Instagram.
Former “Fashion Police” co-host George Kotsiopoulos is a co-owner of Or Bar, in a new West Hollyood gay bar that has taken over the space once occupied by the venerable Gold Coast.
Kotsiopoulos made the announcement on his Instagram page last week.
“I’ve been working on a few exciting projects during this loooong pandemic and here’s one I can finally announce: My friends and I are opening an LBGTQ bar in West Hollywood!!! We are super excited to create a cool, upscale space with back-to-basic drinks, GREAT music and chic peeps in this iconic location. Huge thanks to my friend @marcmalkin for the “official” announcement in @variety this week and 😘🥰😍 to my incredible partners @loveandlightsteph@robnovinger. Can’t wait to share more!”
Circus of Books owner Rob Novinger and Fire Hot Yoga founder Stephanie Schestag are his business partners.
The name Or Bar is a nod to the previous space as Or is French for “gold.”
Gold Coast bar permanently closed in September after serving the community 39 years. It became the fourth gay bar to close on Santa Monica Boulevard, and the fifth LGBTQ space in Los Angeles County to turn off the lights.
- Rage nightclub closed in September.
- Cuties in East Hollywood, L.A.’s only queer focused coffee shop, went out of business Aug. 2020 last month.
- Gym Sportsbar closed in July 2020 and Flaming Saddles closed in Aug. 2020.
“We don’t want gay bars to become obsolete,” Kotsiopoulos told Variety. “We’re passionate about making sure we still have safe places for the community.”
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Kotsiopoulos’ Instagram post shows him throwing a hammer and smashing one of the mirrors inside the former Gold Coast space as part of the demolition, which started in July.
Or Bar’s opening is scheduled for early next year, Variety reported.
