GREENFIELD — Following what it describes as “infiltration and coercion by the media,” the Last Ditch lesbian bar has announced it is increasing security measures going forward.
The 10 Fiske Ave. bar, in a post on social media on Tuesday, said it needs to handle “a lot of repair work” in the weeks and months ahead following the national media attention that arose regarding its decision to make masking optional one night a week, with owner Jackie Matellian citing financial troubles and a hope to grow the business.
“Due to infiltration and coercion by media, as well as increased safety concerns, we will be putting new security measures in place for community meetings,” the bar wrote on its social media pages.
“At the same time, repair needs to happen behind closed doors without journalists and bad actors,” the bar continued. “We are welcoming ideas and feedback about how we can have a virtual presence while maintaining safety and operational security. … Remember, only we keep us safe against corporations and government.”
During mask-optional business hours last Saturday night, a Greenfield Recorder reporter was informed by security posted outside the bar that members of the press were not welcome and that the event scheduled for the night was no longer open to the public. Instead, security guards screened patrons outside the bar, only letting in those who they knew were regulars or had a connection to the bar or its performers for the night, “Hannibal Directive” and “Puppy Synthesis.”
The security measures come following a viral story published last week by the Boston Globe Magazine, which centered around backlash the lesbian bar had received from some of its patrons and supporters over its decision to make Saturdays mask-optional. Since it opened in 2025 in the space formerly occupied by 10 Forward, Last Ditch has maintained a mask mandate in an effort to make the venue accessible to immunocompromised people.
Since the Globe story was published, the bar has attracted the attention of dozens of news media outlets and thousands of people online who have shared their own thoughts on the matter, including Fox News, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro. On Saturday, reporters from The New York Times, New York Post and the UK-based Telegraph came to Greenfield.
On the Last Ditch Instagram and Facebook pages, representatives for the bar shared that Last Ditch is working to reconfigure its structure to become a co-op and will be hosting meetings where community members can propose their goals for the future of the venue.
“There isn’t one clear path forward, but we know we need the community to help make the plan. If you feel you do have answers on what can be improved, we would love for you to get involved,” the bar wrote. “We know we’re burned out and a little bit afraid after this last week, and we’ve heard from our patrons they’re afraid as well. Last Ditch is for the community, and we want it to be for the community. We’ll work every day to get closer to that vision and hope you’ll join us.”
Last Ditch did not respond to further requests for comment. The bar advises those who wish to provide feedback about safety, conflict or other recent changes can visit the feedback form linked in its Instagram bio or send an email. The email listed on the venue’s website is lastditchvenue@gmail.com.
