Ginger's | Brooklyn, NY

Our Webby-honored season 1 finale! When we left on our road trip to visit every lesbian bar in the U.S. last fall, our own neighborhood lesbian bar, Ginger's, sat shuttered. Like all bars and restaurants in New York, Ginger's closed due to the pandemic in March of 2020. In September of 2021, we still had no idea if or when it would ever re-open. But a few weeks after we returned home from our trip, it was announced on Instagram; Ginger's was coming back! In our final episode of season 1, we're honored to share the stories of two women who are absolutely essential to the Ginger's community. There's Sheila Frayne, who opened Ginger's bar in 2000. She was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in her early 20s. She never for a second doubted Ginger's would re-open after the pandemic. And then there's Ruthie. If you've ever been to Ginger's, you have probably met Ruthie. Or maybe you know her from her barbershop, which sits about a mile north of the bar. She's a bit of a local celebrity...though she might tell you otherwise. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok -Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE! -Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE! -Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Honda Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices