sapphic & the city by grotto special issue: Introducing BOYFRIEND Co-op
Meet the BOYFRIEND team and book your ticket to our exclusive 4/20 event!
Hi sapphics! I’m excited on this Friday afternoon to introduce you to a friend of the bar, whom many of you might already know, BOYFRIEND Co-op! A cooperative, inclusive queer space, and third wave coffee shop, Boyfriend is officially opening their doors to the public tomorrow in Bushwick.
To celebrate, paid subscribers to Sapphic & the City are getting their first-ever free and exclusive event: a 4.20/Easter boozy tea party in the BOYFRIEND space! If you haven’t yet upgraded to paid but are interested in coming, its only $5/month or $30/year, so is actually lower than most of our event tickets, and this is only the first of many events I plan to throw :)
Onto BOYFRIEND, let’s meet the team! Hena Mustafa, Mica Fisher, Kacey Liebes, & Nat Risk.
1. Describe what BOYFRIEND is for those who don't yet know! Who is welcome at BOYFRIEND, and what kind of experience can they expect?
BOYFRIEND co-op is a coffee and cocktail cooperative for “gay gals and their pals.” At least that’s our kitschy little slogan, but in seriousness, it’s a cafe/bar that prioritizes the safety and socialization for queer women, trans, and non-binary folks but is welcome to all who are respectful.
Having a daytime/nighttime space that wasn’t just centered on intoxication or party culture was very important to us. The BOYFRIEND experience is silly, accessible, approachable, sexy, familiar, and friendly! It’ll be a space that prioritizes community needs, hosts educational workshops, is a hub for radical organizing, art and culture, and throws the occasional party! Vibes wise, it kind of gives your witchy and gay Arab aunties living room!
2. Tell us about your co-op model. Can people still get involved if interested?
BOYFRIEND is a cooperative, which means it is owned and democratically-controlled by its workers by the 'one member one vote' principle. Our workers are the legal owners of the business, while our consumer members have special perks and governance rights.
Any member of the community can be a member, for a one-time $200 fee and get three perks 1) Community - Hang with us at regular member-only events (learn more about our wines and our coffees and insider scoop things like that, 2) Governance - Share your thoughts at annual meetings and vote on strategy and vision of the cooperative. Consumer-members also have the opportunity to run for a seat on our "Council of Advisors,” 3) Coffee perks - Come get free coffee (drip, cappuccino, whatever you want) once a month!
3. Can each of you share your go-to BOYFRIEND coffee order?
Hena: quad shot cappuccino with whole milk (yes i know whole milk is controversial, sorry)
Mica: matcha (but made with hot water not like a latte)
Kacey: decaf iced americano
Nat: black coffee
4. What's the sitch at BOYFRIEND when it comes to co-working during the day?
BOYFRIEND loves a co-working vibe! Bring your books and cozy up on our couch by the bookcase, bring your laptop and work on your manuscript, or bring a pen and paper and sit by the window doodling or writing a poem - we love it all!
5. The decor at BOYFRIEND is whimsy-goth inspired. Tell us more about that inspiration and a few key pieces you love the most.
BOYFRIEND is witchy and whimsical, its conscious clutter, it has a lot of SWANA influence too since 50% of our ownership right now is Arab. There’s weirdly a big overlap between the whimsigoth asthetic and the arab auntie asthetic so it was a fun marriage to play with! 90% of our furniture was thrifted off facebook marketplace or online auctions and estate sales.
We love a big communal table moment or a cozy loveseat. My fav part of the bar is either the altar of queer awakening cinematic ladies, or behind the cafe where we have photos of our two queens: queen latifa and angelina jolie. It’s a silly nod to what a lighthearted and playful moment for sure.
6. Your grand opening is tomorrow! What are you all most excited for?
BOYFRIEND is for sure most excited to just have the space filled with happy queers. This physical space has been a long time coming and we did it not just for us but for the community.
We can’t wait for everyone to meet our fabulous bartenders and baristas (all on the pre ownership track!). And we can’t wait to start rolling out some events (like the grotto collab)! Boyfriend is a love letter to the community that built it and we hope to watch the space, the menu, the events programming evolve with the community. We’re so thrilled to be opening our doors after 3 years of labor!
Thank you everyone for reading, and I’m so excited for the Boyfriend team :) For those attending their grand opening, I highly suggest ordering one of their delicious martinis. For those who are interested in attending our event on 4/20, please make sure to sub before then and I’ll send you the link to the event! Paid subs will see booking info below <3