Edythe & Lisa’s
Sapphic Oyster & Cocktail Bar
Edythe Eyde 1951, ONE Archives
For the past three decades, lesbian bars have been on a steady decline from their peak in the 1980s. To underscore the dwindling of designated lesbian spaces, my thesis introduces Edythe & Lisa’s Sapphic Oyster and Cocktail Bar, an ironic and contemporary concept.
Edythe & Lisa’s was born from a rich lesbian history:
In 1947, Edythe Eyde put her ideas down on carbon paper with her office typewriter, producing the first lesbian publication. She produced nine editions of Vice Versa, distributing them to friends who passed them on.
Eyde used the pen name Lisa Ben, a pseudonym for lesbian, as a contributing author for various publications such as The Ladder.
Casual, Catchy & Chic
Edythe & Lisa’s aesthetic is inspired by nostalgic auto shop graphics and materiality mixed with the coziness of your favorite dim-lit cocktail bar.
The inviting space aims to bring a more refined touch to the inviting LGBTQIA+ bar scene with high quality cocktails and snacks.
Menu System
Edythe & Lisa’s offers a compact menu system, reminiscent of an old-school garage receipt book. The three menus are comprised of snacks, oysters and cocktails; each paired with illustrations and a fun fact.
Graphic T-Shirts
Some of my favorite bars have the best merchandise. It provides opportunity for businesses to market themselves and build community.
These t-shirts have playful illustrations that hint to a sapphic experience, or just one’s love of oysters.
View my thesis exhibition book here