Intruders gained unauthorized access.
Among the losses were recent bar receipts, employee tips, inventory and equipment.
San Francisco, CA — On Monday morning (11/18/2024), shortly after midnight, the SF Eagle, a historic and beloved LGBTQ+ establishment, was targeted in a burglary that resulted in significant property damage and the theft of a large sum of cash.
The theft is a heavy blow, not just to the operation of the bar, but to the livelihoods of the staff and the sense of safety. This comes at a particularly challenging time when bar sales slow during the holiday season.
The SF Eagle is working with authorities to investigate the incident and restore the damage as soon as possible. Community support during this challenging time is deeply appreciated. The bar has established a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help recover its losses. For updates or to support, visit: https://gofund.me/096080f3
Owner Lex Montiel expressed his concern for his staff and the community that calls the SF Eagle home: “Our workers rely on the bar for their livelihood. This burglary affects not only the SF Eagle but also the people who make it a cornerstone of our community.”
The SF Eagle is a proud and active member of San Francisco’s Leather and LGBT communities, and a principal location for small fundraisers. In 2024, the Eagle helped more than 50 queer nonprofits raise over $80,000. With more fundraisers set for the coming weeks, the Eagle hopes a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/096080f3) will help ensure it can reopen in time to support its community partners.
Despite this setback, Montiel emphasized the bar’s commitment to reopening with improved facilities, ensuring it remains a welcoming space accessible for everyone. The SF Eagle has begun plans to establish improved ADA accessibility throughout the bar, which will continue when it has recovered.
For more information, visit https://sf-eagle.com.
UPDATES:
According to a Bay Area Reporter article, an arrest has been made in this burglary, and the SFPD are attempting to recover property.
The GoFundMe campaign, after raising $23,690, has now been disabled by the fund creator.
The Eagle is open for business! The Sunday Beer Bust on 11/24 is in benefit of Team Friendly’s Toy Drive. Please come out and support our queer leather community!