Welcome to Lezborhood. Val’s, Philly’s newest lesbian bar, is finally open.

On Wednesday night, the intersection of 3rd and South Street seemed like the center of the universe.

Pinky promises were made, new friendships formed, exes crossed paths, strangers kissed, pool was played, and one important promise was fulfilled — Val’s, now Philadelphia’s only lesbian bar, finally opened.

After a three-year-long journey of looking for a space, garnering funds, and learning along the way, co-owners and couple Clover Gilfor and Julia Harris opened their doors.

And just in time.

Shortly after the opening of the queer-owned women’s sports bar Marsha’s just two blocks away, Val’s arrives amid a resurgence of lesbian bars in the United States. Still, it’s one of only 37 lesbian bars in the country — a steep decline since their peak in the 1980s, when there were roughly 200. By 2020, there were less than 20 lesbian bars in the country.

(Those closures include this author’s very own aunt’s bar Rubyfruit in New York City).

Philly’s last lesbian bar, the Gayborhood’s Toasted Walnut closed in 2021.

Val’s may also be the only lesbian bar in the country owned by a trans woman, according to Gilfor and Harris.

“ No one will have to wonder if this is a space where they can come as a trans woman,” said Gilfor, who is trans. “They will shape this space.”

“Lesbians are always coming to Philly and wondering where people hang. It gets tiring saying you just have to know somebody and go to a party that’s by the river or something,” said Gilfor, 29, who lives in South Philly with Harris, 33. “We want to be able to say there’s a dedicated spot where if you go on any given night, you’re going to meet the people you’re looking for.”

Women definitely met women on Wednesday. The gabbing reached volumes above the music. The energy was joyous. By 8 p.m., Val’s reached its capacity of about 140 people. A line stretched down the block. Some waited an hour to enter.

Dimitri LaBelle and Reuven Schechtman, 26-year-old high school sweethearts from West Philly arrived at 4 p.m., right when the bar opened. They had never been to a lesbian bar before.

At the door, guests were greeted by Little Piece, Val’s door lady and Philly drag icon. Piece, who calls herself the “transsexual trendsetter of the Tri-state area,” sets the tone for the bar — warm, fun, and, of course, sexy.

The bar’s opening felt like the “sun parting from the clouds,” LaBelle said. “I feel at home,” said Schechtman.

Val’s is lofty, around 2,000 square feet, with a patio, and two floors with a bar on each.

Wall-length mirrors cover some of the pink walls. Pink and red lighting flood the first floor. The main bar sits across from one long booth along the wall. It drips with femininity and luxury, but still gives the DIY lesbian dive bar energy.

The space’s nooks and crannies allow couples and friends to escape the crowd.

Upstairs, the walls are a deep purple and speckled with glitter. Tropical palms are everywhere. Chandeliers give off a warm glow, a dance floor lies sprawled. The gold-trimmed windows look Victorian-esque. The interior design looks like a hodgepodge of decades, thanks to some elements left behind by the previous business, Reef Restaurant & Lounge.

The space is still a work in progress, Gilfor said.

Bathrooms need updating, light bulbs need changed, more decoration is necessary. She plans to transform the outdoor patio into a moon garden.

The co-owners’ inspiration includes the now closed McGlinchey’s Bar. The name is partly inspired by McGlinchey’s Valentine’s Day special: $12 for a bottle of Champagne and two hot dogs.

It’s something special, but also, as Gilfor said, “for dirtbags.”

That high-low concept shows up on the cocktail menu, brought together by front of house manager Kelly Donoghue.

A $6 citywide, draft wines, beer, and a “My ex-gf is here!” shot with cherry and lemon infused vodka. Some drinks are served in delicate glassware, like the $7 “Day off” mocktail, with pineapple juice, lime, spiced honey, and jalapeño.

Drink names, like “Butch Bait,” are inspired by gay archetypes. Then there’s the “Adriana” named for The Sopranos heroine, because “if she fell in love with a butch, none of that would’ve ever happened,” Donoghue said.

Also of note is the $9 Batanga with pepper-infused tequila, coffee, simple syrup, lime, and Diet Coke, with a salt rim.

“We want to be a place where you can come and feel like you can get fun catered to you and a luxurious experience without having to spend a lot of money,” said Harris, who is studying for a PhD in lesbian history from Harvard University.

The small food menu features grilled cheese alongside vegan and gluten-free friendly nibbles like a pickle plate and toasted chickpeas.

Gilfor and Harris want the upstairs to be a destination for dancing. They also want pool tournaments, movie nights, and literary gatherings. To keep the space welcoming to the multitudes of Philly’s lesbian community, they plan to partner with organizations that cater to lesbians of color.

Their next event, on April 4, called Tush Push, an evening of queer two-step and line dancing.

On Wednesday, guests traveled to Val’s from the depths of West, South and North Philadelphia, the suburbs, and South Jersey. Queer folks in their 20s to people in their 70s, of different races and gender expressions — all feeling comfort in a brand new bar which already felt like a place they knew.

Cassie Hilburn, 28, took a cab from West Philly. When she told her driver, CieCie Harris, she was heading to Val’s, Harris, 35, clocked out and joined her.

Josephine Quiñones known as Cookie, a 74-year old lesbian who used to DJ in the 90s at Philly’s gay bars, showed up too. She was already planning to organize Latin nights at the bar. Gilfor and Harris intend to hold events geared toward older lesbians.

“I’ll bring them in,” Quiñones said.

Upstairs, Sarah Franzone, 34, and June Fox, 40, sat at a booth looking over the pool table. “We don’t go to bars to hang out, but we would come to this bar,” Fox said.

“‘Cause we’re all neurodivergent and hate being in public,” added Franzone. “Everyone [here] looks comfortable and safe. This is so much more than I could have dreamed of.”

Friends Jeilyan Pagan and Lana Matthews, both 21, were playing pool for the first time.

Pagan said she had avoided having men teach her how to play in other bars. Matthews celebrated her shots by twerking.

“If you’re a hot, sexy masc, hit my line. I’m ready. I’m single, I’m sexy,” she declared mid-twerk.

By 11:30 p.m., the lights went down on the Sapphic escapades. Everyone left by midnight.

The party spilled on to the sidewalk as Liz Cappelloni and Claire Choquette, who met while waiting in line, kissed. But just as friends.

The Lezborhood has emerged in Philadelphia.

Val’s Lesbian Bar, 605 S 3rd St. Tues-Sun 4 p.m.-Midnight, Monday closed. instagram.com/valslesbianbar