Freddie’s beach bar is supported by the Barstool Sports COVID-19 Relief Fund

by

Barstool Sports ’COVID-19 relief fund helps keep Crystal City’s Freddie’s Beach restaurant and beach bar afloat.

The LGBTQ bar, located at 555 23rd Street S., known for its Sunday brunch and drag queen shows, is one of nearly 40 businesses that has so far received relief from the playful online media company. The fund has raised more than $ 9 million from nearly 78,000 supporters since Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy he officially released it on December 17th.

“Dave, you’re a gift from God,” co-owner Rich Lutz told Portnoy in a FaceTime call today (Tuesday). “This is really special to see your face in my kitchen right now.”

Portnoy appeared on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show last week to talk about The Barstool Fund, which is how Lutz says he learned about the show. Staff “revolted” to put together a video telling the bar’s story, he told Barstool in an email.

Since opening in March 2001, Freddie’s remains the only gay bar in North Virginia, co-owner Freddie Lutz told the Barstool Fund at its funding release. The community meeting place is known as a safe space for gay military personnel and also attracts families for a brunch Sunday after church.

“I don’t know of any bar that is more diverse and welcoming than Freddie’s,” he said.

The brothers keep the restaurant open all holidays to make sure everyone has “a family meal” and organize an annual toy drive.

So far, the brothers have managed to keep the lights on and their 25 employees on the payroll. At one point, Amazon bought 1,753 meals from the restaurant, which were donated to the Virginia Hospital Center. Instead of trying to fill the entire order himself, Freddie has extended it to a dozen nearby restaurants, an event that “inspired life, energy and activity in the independent restaurants that make up the core of 23rd Street.”

Still, Freddie’s was recently on the verge of closing.

“Like so many others, Freddie’s is struggling and is about to close,” Freddie told Barstool.

During his call with Rich, Portnoy praised the history of the bar and restaurant.

“It was a no-brainer,” he said. “We watched the video and knew right away that we wanted to help.”

Rich could not thank the founder and media personality of Barstool Sports enough.

“With all the terrible things in the world right now, having fresh air like you is absolutely wonderful,” he said. “I just hope that when everything opens up, you come visit us.”

Barstool Sports did not disclose how much money Freddie’s would earn, and the Lutzes were not immediately available for comment.

Barstool Sports writer and presenter Pat McAuliffe praised Portnoy’s choice in a blog post about Freddie.

“I could go on and on explaining the importance of bars like Freddie to the LGBTQ community, but I won’t,” he said. “Instead, I will give you THIS LINK to make a donation to help more companies like Freddie’s across the country.”

The Barstool Fund started with $ 500,000 from the media company’s funds and has since raised nearly 20 times that amount through donations and merchandise sales.

Companies qualify if owners continue to pay their staff even though they have difficulty staying open. Portnoy promised recurring relief for selected companies, so that instead of delaying an inevitable closure, companies have a chance to survive the post-pandemic.

“We’ll do this for the rest of our lives,” Portnoy said on Carlson’s show.

.Source