Woke Bar Owners Labeled 'Eugenicists' for Dropping Mask Mandate

The owners of the Last Ditch Bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, a venue catering primarily to lesbians, have been branded 'eugenicists' and accused of intending to murder immunocompromised individuals after temporarily dropping their mandatory mask policy. The controversy erupted when the bar announced on Instagram that Saturday nights would become "mask optional" to explore "typical club nights with themes/hosts/DJs/full capacity."

The bar, which opened last year, had previously enforced stringent "venue norms," including a rule requiring patrons to wear "a well-fitted KN-95 respirator mask (or better) at all times" unless actively eating or drinking. Other rules prohibited discrimination based on race, gender identity, and disability, and welcomed low-income and unhoused individuals.

The decision to relax the mask mandate, despite the WHO declaring an end to the pandemic in 2023 and Greenfield reporting no COVID-19 cases for months, sparked immediate and intense backlash. Hundreds of angry comments flooded the bar's social media, with some calling for a boycott and others issuing threats of violence. Critics accused the management of being complicit in a "mass disabling event" and attempting to "kill disabled people in the name of your own leisure and convenience."

In response to the outcry, the bar posted an apology, which itself drew further criticism for not being in "alternative text" format, leading to accusations of "ableism."

A community meeting convened to address the controversy became increasingly contentious. During the session, the bar's owner revealed the venue's dire financial situation, stating she was living in her car and owed significant debt. This revelation was met with accusations of shedding "WHITE THEY/THEM TEARS."

The episode gained national attention, with figures like Republican Senator Ted Cruz commenting on the situation, expressing astonishment that mask mandates were still in place in 2026. The incident highlights the lingering divisions and intense debates surrounding COVID-19 protocols and broader cultural ideologies, often labeled as "woke."

The controversy comes as Democrats aim to reassure moderate voters in the lead-up to midterm elections, attempting to distance the party from more radical progressive stances. However, the events at the Last Ditch Bar suggest that elements of this "woke" culture remain active and contentious within certain progressive circles.