Femme-tastic: The Buzz Surrounding Worcester’s Newest Queer Establishment 

GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

Haaay, Queer Worcester and beyond! You’ve probably heard about the new hot spot in town that nobody wants to miss – Femme, the city’s only current lesbian bar, has just opened its doors in the Canal District, and I must say, it’s a game changer. 

Owned by wives and business partners, Julie and Danielle Spring, this place has been a long time coming. The couple was inspired to open a queer-women centered bar after a trip to New York City, where they visited a lesbian bar and realized that there was nothing like that in New England. So, they took matters into their own hands and created Femme, a space that caters specifically to the lesbian and queer women community. 

Located at 62 Green street, in the former location of Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar, Femme operates as a restaurant from 4-10pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Thursdays – Saturdays, it will stay open as a bar from 10pm-2am. On Sundays, they serve up brunch from 10am-2pm. They are closed on Mondays. 

At the family and friends soft-opening on Thursday, March 9th, the bar was packed with folks eager to check it out. The staff was attentive and handled the large and lively crowd with ease. And let me tell you, the cocktails were delicious. They have a wide selection of premium spirits, craft beers, and a wine list centering women-owned wineries and vineyards. All the wines can be purchased at Canal District Wines, another queer-women-owned business located just down the street in the Worcester Public Market. 

Not only are the libations impressive, the food menu is concise and well-curated, with a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to indulge in delicious fried chicken sandwiches and fries, or go for a healthier option like a quinoa bowl or chicken and veggie

stir-fry, they’ve got you covered. There are also an array of small bites and apps, including a delicious hummus platter. 

The official bar opening on Friday, March 10th was insane. There was a consistent line of at least 100 people waiting to get in, and some folks even booked hotel rooms just to attend. Other bars in the area saw an influx of queer folks, particularly women, due to the overflow of people who couldn’t get into Femme. It’s clear that an establishment geared towards queer women has been much-anticipated in this city, as evidenced by the massive outpouring of support and patronage seen on opening weekend. 

Now, while Femme was founded primarily with lesbians and queer women in mind, it’s certainly a safe and welcome space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. But, it’s important to be respectful of the space and realize that we are guests in a much needed safe space that celebrates lesbians and queer women above all. 

I highly recommend checking out Femme for your next night out, brunch date, or after-work cocktails. It’s exciting to see a queer-women centered space in Worcester, and I can’t wait to see how it grows and evolves. Kudos to Julie and Danielle for creating such an important and much-needed space in our community.