By Kevin Ferrisi –

Gotham Citi celebrates its 29th anniversary this month, marking nearly three decades as a vital part of LGBTQ+ nightlife in New Haven, Connecticut. More than just a bar or nightclub, it has served as a sanctuary, a stage, and a second home for countless queer individuals across the state. Its influence on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly its role in shaping the local drag scene, leaves a lasting imprint on those who have experienced its unique atmosphere. To commemorate this milestone, Gotham Citi hosted a celebratory drag show featuring local queens under the fierce direction of BLEACH!, with special guest performances by Midnight and Gabriella Diamante.

Gotham Citi, a staple of New Haven’s LGBTQ+ community, first opened its doors in 1996 at 130 Crown Street. Over the years, the iconic venue relocated to 196 East Street before ultimately settling at its current location at 84 Orange Street. Through each move, Gotham Citi has maintained its role as a beloved gathering spot, continuing to evolve while staying true to its roots as a vibrant hub for queer nightlife in the city.

Robb Bartolomeo has owned Gotham Citi for 29 years, making it one of New Haven’s prime nightspots catering to the gay community. He opened the venue on April 17, 1996 as a gay club and in 2002 began to include straight nights to ensure its financial viability, as the original site spanned 17,000 square feet. Over time, as social acceptance of a homosexual lifestyle grew, gay people felt more comfortable at any club, regardless of its orientation. 

This shift in attitudes led to a change in Gotham Citi’s approach, with the club moving to a new location at 196 East Street. The original location at 130 Crown Street was repurposed into Empire, a straight-only club. The trend of smaller gay-friendly venues grew in the city, as places like Partners and York Street remained gay-exclusive. The change at Gotham Citi reflected a broader shift away from large, gay-only nightclubs, a movement that extended beyond New Haven.

Since its founding in 1996, Gotham Citi has provided a consistent and welcoming space in the heart of downtown New Haven. In a state where queer venues have often come and gone, Gotham has remained a rare constant – evolving with the times while never losing sight of its original purpose: to be a home for the LGBTQ+ community. Its longevity is a testament to its adaptability and deep-rooted connection with its patrons. Over nearly three decades, Gotham Citi has built a loyal following by offering more than just drinks and dancing. It offers belonging, a place to be unapologetically yourself, surrounded by community.

In 2006, Gotham Citi earned national recognition when OUT Magazine named it one of the “Top 50 Gay Clubs in the World,” a testament to its influence and vibrancy within the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Locally, it dominated the New Haven Advocate’s annual readers’ poll, winning “Best Gay Club” every year since 1997. Always evolving, Gotham broke new ground again in 2009 with the opening of The Dollhouse Cabaret Lounge, an intimate, dedicated space that redefined drag performance in Connecticut. By providing a safe, professional stage for queens and kings alike, Gotham reshaped the way audiences experienced drag.

Perhaps Gotham Citi’s most visible and lasting contribution to Connecticut’s drag community was its commitment to hosting and nurturing drag talent. Long before drag became mainstream through shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Gotham Citi was spotlighting queens and kings from across the region. Regular drag nights, holiday showcases, and pageants gave local performers the opportunity to hone their craft in front of packed crowds. Equally important, Gotham Citi offered new performers a chance to debut, often becoming the first stage many Connecticut queens ever stepped onto. The venue also attracted out-of-state talent and touring drag acts, further exposing local audiences and performers to a wide spectrum of drag artistry.

Beyond the performances, Gotham Citi has served as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ advocacy and community life in the region. Since 1998, the club not only founded but also funded and ran Pride New Haven for 27 consecutive years, bringing the city its very first Pride celebration. At a time when Connecticut’s only statewide Pride celebration was held in Hartford, Robb Bartolomeo was asked to provide financial support, but he agreed only on the condition that part of the event be brought to New Haven. As a result, the rally portion was moved, sparking what became New Haven Pride. Robb retired as Chairman Emeritus in 2022, and since then, the New Haven Pride Center has organized the event as a fundraiser to support its ongoing community work.

In 1999, Gotham Citi made history again with a full block-long display in the New York City Gay Pride Parade, the first Connecticut club ever to receive such a distinction. Always ahead of its time, Gotham Citi was the first venue in the state to create a dedicated section for 18 to 20-year-olds, giving younger members of the community a safe and welcoming space to dance, connect, and celebrate with their friends. Gotham Citi also had a softball team for years in the Gay Friendship League – terrible on the field, but they showed up looking like the Yankees every game!

Gotham Citi is currently operated by Empire Entertainment Group LLC, led by President Jonathan Lucibelli, Founder and Chairman Robb Bartolomeo, and Vice President Raymond Rose. A few years ago, Robb appointed Jonathan as President while stepping back to focus on his new role as Chairman. In addition to Gotham Citi, Empire Entertainment Group also owns Dockside Resort Bar in New London and manages a real estate division. Under their leadership, Gotham Citi has once again earned a spot on OUT Magazine’s prestigious list of the “Top 50 Gay Clubs in the World,” marking the club’s second appearance on the international ranking.

The venue’s visibility has helped normalize queer nightlife in New Haven, contributing to broader social acceptance and providing a space where people can connect not just as patrons, but as activists, artists, and family. As Gotham Citi celebrates 29 years of music, movement, and memories, its influence on Connecticut’s drag and LGBTQ+ communities cannot be overstated. It is a living piece of queer history, a place where people have come out, fallen in love, taken their first steps in heels, and danced until sunrise. In a rapidly changing nightlife landscape, Gotham Citi continues to thrive by staying true to its roots while embracing the future.