The Closure of a Cultural Icon: Oasis in San Francisco
Despite its reputation as one of the most iconic drag clubs on the West Coast, the famed San Francisco venue Oasis is set to close by the end of the year. Known for its vibrant performances, celebrity appearances, and deep connection to the LGBTQ+ community, the club has been a cornerstone of the city’s nightlife since 2014. However, financial struggles have made it impossible to continue operations.
Owner D’arcy Drollinger shared with local media that the club has been facing significant challenges. “We’ve been struggling like a lot of other venues. Our margins are razor thin,” he said. “I’ve had to subsidize the club every month to be able to make it through. Those resources are gone, I’ve cashed in the majority of my retirement account to keep this going.”
The decision to close was confirmed after employees were notified via email on July 21, followed by a staff meeting. Drollinger explained that declining attendance and lower bar revenue over the past two years, combined with rising costs such as insurance and security—particularly after an armed robbery in July 2024—have contributed to the financial strain. Additionally, he invested thousands of dollars from the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant into upgrades after the club reopened in 2021 following the pandemic shutdowns.
In an effort to create a more sustainable model, Drollinger moved the club’s programming under his nonprofit organization, Oasis Arts. A telethon hosted in May raised $50,000 out of a $400,000 goal, but neither this nor other initiatives were enough to reverse the financial decline.
Drollinger hopes the club can remain open through the end of the year, though that would require a surge in ticket buyers and attendees. Currently, the immersive musical parody “Jurrasiq Parq” is running through August 2, and other events are scheduled well into the fall. “Seeing as we opened on New Year’s Eve, to close on New Year’s Eve seems sort of a poetic end for this chapter,” he said.
A Hub for Art, Culture, and Community
Oasis has never just been a nightclub—it has served as a space for highly produced cabaret and theater, hosting everything from celebrity conversations to community protests. The club has welcomed Academy Award winners like Jane Fonda and Cher, as well as international drag stars such as Miss Coco Peru, Varla Jean Merman, and Lady Bunny. It has also become a must-visit stop for contestants on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” including locals like Honey Mahogany, Rock M. Sakura, and Lady Camden, as well as series winners Jinkx Monsoon, Bob the Drag Queen, and Alaska.
Queer celebrities like Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Titus Burgess, Jonathan Groff, and Lil Nas X have also visited the club, further solidifying its status as one of the most famous drag venues on the West Coast.
Theatrical productions at Oasis have included original works like Drollinger’s “Champagne White” trilogy, adaptations of popular TV shows such as “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Sex and the City,” and an annual Halloween performance of “The Rocky Horror Show.” The club has also been a launching pad for emerging queer talent, including drag performer Snaxx, actor and theater maker Michael Phillis, and founder of “Reparations” Nicki Jizz.
A Legacy of Community and Creativity
Beyond its artistic contributions, Oasis has played a vital role in the Bay Area’s LGBTQ community, especially during major events. The club became a gathering place during election nights and after the passing of co-founder Heklina in 2023.
Snaxx, who serves as director of programs and staff at Oasis, described the club as a unique space. “There is an intense community of people that are hardcore for Oasis, and it’s all Darcy’s doing,” he said. “D’Arcy has a very magical ability to make people feel important, and feel like they’re a part of his community. It is something that’s unlike anything that I’ve ever witnessed at any other place.”
Drollinger’s role as San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, the first of its kind in the world, added to the club’s prestige. Established under Mayor London Breed in 2023, the position celebrated the art of drag, LGBTQ culture, and nightlife. Though the term was initially set for 18 months, it has been extended while the city searches for a successor.
Financial Struggles and the Road Ahead
Despite city support through grants like the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Leather Cultural District, Oasis faced setbacks when denied an operations grant. The club was also turned down twice for the Culture Forward Grant by the Svane Family Foundation, most recently for “Jurasiq Parq” and “Rocky Horror.”
“I just kept thinking things would turn around. We were waiting for that miracle to happen and it didn’t,” Drollinger said. “It’s hard when we’ve already lost so many queer spaces and so many arts organizations. I hate being another casualty.”
Over the past decade, several queer spaces in San Francisco have closed, including Harvey’s restaurant and bar, Hamburger Mary’s in the Castro, the Gangway in the Tenderloin, and the Lexington Club in the Mission District.
A Final Chapter
Oasis opened over a decade ago under the ownership of Drollinger, fellow drag performer Heklina, Jason Beebout, and Geoffrey Benjamin. It quickly became a beloved LGBTQ nightspot in the South of Market neighborhood, known for its Saturday “Mother” club night and the final iteration of Heklina’s legendary Trannyshack.
After Heklina’s passing, Drollinger took full ownership and adapted to changing times, launching “Meals on Heels,” a socially distanced drag food delivery service, and Oasis TV, which streamed old performances online. In March 2021, the club hosted a successful telethon that raised $270,000.
However, financial instability returned in 2023, even as new events like the Princess pageant and the Black performer-focused “Reparations” gained recognition.
Drollinger plans to continue Oasis Arts after the club closes, focusing on presenting work in other spaces. However, the nonprofit will need time to refocus its mission in the coming years.
As the closure approaches, Drollinger finds some comfort in knowing the impact Oasis has had. “I’m proud of the artists that we have been able to support and the thousands of people that have been able to experience Oasis,” he said. “We created something that has become a cultural touchstone. It’s heartbreaking that it has to end, but at this point, I don’t really have a choice.”
