Back Bay bar’s Pride flag led to negative reviews, but manager says event was still a rousing success

The Back Bay pub A.T. O’Keeffe’s was targeted with negative reviews online after it posted a social media video of staff swapping out an American flag with a Pride flag.

A.T. O’Keeffe’s posted the video ahead of an event they were hosting in partnership with Dani’s Queer Bar, a lesbian-owned business opening soon next door, during the city-wide Pride celebration last weekend. 

“It was about getting in the spirit of the weekend and throwing a great party,” O’Keefe’s manager, Rich Gaines, told CBS Boston. 

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A post shared by A.T. O’Keeffe’s (@a.t.okeeffes)

However, the video’s flag swap unsettled some people, and the bar received one-star Google reviews. 

One commenter on Instagram said the replacement was “funny as that Americans care so little for their flag.” Another said, “Leave them a Google review! Help get this seen by more people to get this place shut down!” Another person wrote, “As a veteran. I wish you nothing but misfortune,” and “take your gay bs somewhere else.”

In response, Dani’s Queer Bar took to social media to say that A.T. O’Keeffe’s graciously hosted their Pride party in their space as they await to open their doors. 

“Unfortunately, they have since been targeted by homophobes leaving fake negative reviews,” the post said. “We don’t want to let these haters bring down an ally business, so if you enjoyed your time at A.T. O’Keeffe’s, please leave them a positive review!”

“Let’s show the homophobes that this won’t fly in Boston and love and support is going to win!” the post continued. 

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A post shared by Dani’s Queer Bar 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ (@danisqueerbarboston)

The one-star reviews were removed, and most Instagram comments remained positive. Many said they had a great time during the event. 

Despite the backlash, Gaines told CBS Boston that the event was one of the most profitable days in the pub’s history. 

“At the end of the day, America’s all about freedom of expression, and that’s kind of like what this week and this month and the country is ultimately all about, and that flag symbolizes,” he said. 

According to Charina Pimentel, an assistant general manager at Dani’s, the queer bar is set to open soon despite inspection and permit delays.

“We’ve been fighting tooth and nail to get our doors open,” Pimentel told CBS Boston. “It sucked that they got negative feedback from something that was with good intentions.”