A Fire Closes Popular Gay Bar Alexandre’s, Just as It Recovered From the Pandemic

Alexandre’s, a staple on Dallas’s Cedar Springs gay strip since 2004, is temporarily closed after a fire outside the bar destroyed the business’s electrical panels, effectively cutting off power during happy hour on Wednesday, October 27.

Dallas Fire Rescue responded to extinguish the fire in the alley, and no one was injured. Now, the building is undergoing significant repairs to regain electricity.

Alexandre’s owner Lee Daugherty is focused on reopening as soon as possible for the sake of his staff of six, who are currently out with supplemental paid leave. The fire comes after a tough year for the bar, which was closed for 410 days in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The bar reopened on May 1, 2021 after initially closing in March 2020 during Dallas’s safe at home order

After the fire, Daugherty set up a fundraiser on Facebook to help pay employees, who earn a majority of their income through tips. Daugherty hopes to reopen within a week or so, but that is dependent on the ongoing electrical repairs and the necessary inspections to approve them.

The blaze began after someone set trash on fire behind the shopping center near the electrical panels, according to DFR public information officer Jason Evans. An investigation into the fire is ongoing, and no suspects have been publicly named.

This setback couldn’t have come at a worse time for Daugherty and his team, who are weeks away from starting new construction on Alexandre’s, located at 4026 Cedar Springs Road.

“Right next to us used to be a donut shop, and we signed a lease on that several months ago to expand—to add a kitchen and to expand the bar,” Daugherty told Eater. He plans to serve small plates and comfort foods once the kitchen is operational.

• Alexandre’s [Official]
• Alexandre’s Worker’s Fund [Facebook]
• Alexandre’s Closed For At Least A Week After Fire [Dallas Voice]