For many years, the Barracks Bar was an iconic spot for the Palm Springs LGBTQ+ community. In August of 2024, owner Scott Murchison closed the bar, pledging it would someday rise again – this time in Phoenix.
Now, that promise is coming true. Barracks Bar just applied for a liquor permit with the State of Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to open a bar at 4601 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix. The bar’s website confirms the news, stating that it’s “coming soon“.
Barracks Bar Phoenix will feature a full bar, though there’s no word yet if the Sunday Beer Bust and weekly BBQ hot dog cookouts will continue at the new venue.
Opened in 1992 and originally named Wolf’s, Barracks Bar was a beloved leather bar in Palm Springs that offered themed parties, including underwear night, Sunday bingo, and an annual Mr. Barracks contest. The high energy bar and club was a favorite gathering place for many people, with the community saddened when it closed in 2024.
The bar’s official Facebook page marks the passing of the old Barracks, with an eye to the future, noting, “The Barracks has never been just a bar. It’s a place where people found each other. Found freedom. Found pride. Born in Palm Springs, it’s now moving forward—and putting down permanent roots in Phoenix. And like the mythical bird, From Ashes We Rise.”
