Julius' Bar in New York City Designated A Landmark

Julius' Bar in New York City has cemented its place in the Big Apple's history. On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the long-running gay bar as an individual landmark, reported ABC news.

Located on 10th Street in the West Village neighborhood, the bar has been in business since the 1860s and "played an important role in the fight for civil rights for the LGBTQ community," according to ABC.

"In 1966, we had something called the sip-in," Julius' Bar manager Nick Gabriellini told ABC. "Where the state liquor authority didn't allow homosexuals to be served alcohol if they were openly gay. So, they staged the sip-in here, and there was a lawsuit."

Before the Stonewall uprising, the sip-in and lawsuit was a big step for LGBTQ+ equality.

"The 'Sip-In' at Julius' was a pivotal moment in our city and our nation's LGBTQ+ history, and this designation today marks not only that moment but also Julius' half-century as a home for New York City's LGBTQ+ community," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "Honoring a location where New Yorkers were once denied service solely on account of their sexuality reinforces something that should already be clear: LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are welcome anywhere in our city. Let this designation serve as an important reminder to everyone that LGBTQ+ history is New York City history and that, like Julius', the City of New York will always serve as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people to be safe and feel safe."

For longtime patrons, the landmark designation brings a sense of pride.

"Just knowing that this place I love is famous for this wonderful important event, it made me feel kind of a sense of pride," said Rob Reynolds. "All of us regulars who come here week after week for decades, we kind of feel a kinship and ownership."