After four months of quarantine closure, Troupe429 is reopening as a part bar, part full-service record store.
An iconic record store in Norwalk, CT? 🤔 that’s us!😍🥳 come browse thousands of records until 2AM 🏳️🌈🔥
Bites + Drinks available indoors, outdoors, & to-go! #SaveTheGayBars 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/y3nyDNOBDy
— 🏳️🌈 Troupe429 🏳️🌈 (@Troupe429) August 9, 2020
Troupe429, a Norwalk, Connecticut LGBTQ+ bar and performance space, announced in a recent press release that it would be taking creative steps toward reopening after a state mandate was issued noting that all bars must close unless they can also serve cooked food (not snacks). As Troupe429 doesn’t have a kitchen like many other bars in the state, they would have been forced to close if they didn’t adapt.
In an effort to stop its closing, the bar has transformed its dance floor into a record store, housing thousands of vinyls for patrons to browse and purchase.
✨TONIGHT✨
Open 6P-1A 🏳️🌈🥳 so many new records to browse 😍🎶 happy hour 6-8P 🍻🍸 come grab some snacks or 🍕 BYOP: Bring Your Own Pizza 🍕 pic.twitter.com/XruVUFZT1X
— 🏳️🌈 Troupe429 🏳️🌈 (@Troupe429) August 12, 2020
“We are overjoyed and emotional to be reopening our doors after almost four months of quarantine,” Troupe429 founders Casey Fitzpatrick and Nicholas Ruiz say in the release. “Our Troupers and some who have yet to visit Troupe429 have asked how they can support us during this time. We think there’s no better way than records and refreshments!”
“There are less than 700 queer bars left in America,” adds Fitzpatrick. “They have been closing at an alarming rate for the past decade, and being hit with COVID-19 and a prolonged quarantine has increased the odds of more LGBTQ bars closing before the end of the year. We really must come together as a community to save our safe spaces right now.”
@Andy we are a gay bar-turner-record store because of COVID19 and we have the very rare ✨Glitter✨ soundtrack on vinyl!
You need it! 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/IpGFNkZR0F
— 🏳️🌈 Troupe429 🏳️🌈 (@Troupe429) August 11, 2020
Troupe429 offers an extensive collection of vinyl records from the 1950s to today with such names as Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Madonna, and Cher — all available for purchase. The bar adds new titles weekly, and special orders are available upon request.
View this post on Instagram
Patrons can also enjoy signature cocktails with names like “Glamazon” and Britney Spears-inspired “Rainbow Fantasy.” Beverages will be available for outdoor dine-in or takeaway in reusable carafes.
“The health and safety of our family, staff, and customers remains our number one priority,” Fitzpatrick and Ruiz note. “We chose to close Troupe429 before our state mandated the closure of bars. We have been taking every step possible to help eradicate this virus, while at the same time saving our queer business from closing permanently.
“All safety guidelines are being administered along with meticulous daily cleaning, and every customer must wear a mask while shopping. We want Troupers to be able to step back onto our dance floor under the 29 disco balls and help support their space by buying a record and cocktail.”
Troup429 is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. (2 a.m. on Saturdays). Check @Troupe429 for their schedule and menu. Masks are required for entry.
