The owners of the Halifax queer bar say they need additional financial support to secure a new lease.
The owners of Rumours Lounge & Cabaret are asking for community support as rising expenses threaten the Halifax venue’s future. Owners Gerald McCowan and José Chiu say they have approximately two months to secure a new two-year lease and establish the financial stability needed to continue operating.
The queer-owned bar opened on Lower Water Street in 2024. Its name revived the identity of a well-known Halifax gay nightclub that operated decades earlier.
The owners emphasized that they are not announcing an immediate closure. Instead, they have launched a fundraising effort and are encouraging supporters to attend events and promote the venue. Rumours is one of a limited number of dedicated queer nightlife spaces remaining in Atlantic Canada.
