Bill Maher, a comedian and host, critiqued the extreme left on Friday night, targeting those who heavily criticized a struggling lesbian bar in Massachusetts. The criticism was due to the bar’s decision to make masks optional one night per week.
During HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher discussed the viral story of Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue, a lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts. This bar gained national attention when the Boston Globe reported on the community’s backlash against its temporary lift of the COVID-era mask mandate for one night a week.
“Here’s what’s going on at the Last Ditch Bar,” Maher explained. “It’s a very woke bar, which is fine. Their mission statement reads, ‘For dykes, transsexuals, gender freaks, workers, and friends.’”
Maher humorously noted, “I love the way workers and friends are fourth and fifth on the list.” He then addressed the bar’s financial issues. Reports indicated that some patrons couldn’t afford the cover charge, yet the bar allowed them entry anyway.
Last Ditch Bar decided to lift its mask requirements on Saturdays to boost business. Maher observed that financial issues persisted even if patrons couldn’t pay the cover charge and highlighted that the bar welcomed the homeless but not the police.
Further, Maher mentioned that one bar owner lived in her truck due to the financial struggles. He remarked on the left-wing reaction after the bar’s policy change:
“And of course, the tolerant left did what they always do — became very intolerant and left.”
In an attempt to manage their situation, Last Ditch Bar decided to have a mask-optional policy one night each week. Their decision was made public in an Instagram post on August 31, explaining the move to their patrons.
The local community meeting on September 11 was marked by swift backlash and criticism, including objections to a White therapist acting as a mediator. Maher criticized the bar’s far-left patrons for lacking understanding and exhibiting intolerance.
“People like you kill disabled people in the name of your own leisure and convenience,” and “I hope your venue gets firebombed,” Maher mentioned these extreme reactions.
NewsBusters Executive Editor Tim Graham commented on the story and the ongoing mask mandate in 2026. He called the leftist reaction a form of old COVID authoritarianism around a one-night policy change, and noted Maher’s stance against left-wing intolerance.
“Bill Maher has a tendency to go against the dominant grain and can be savage about left-wing intolerance,” Graham said. “Despite being a strong supporter of Barack Obama, he’s been critical of organized religion and other forms of fundamentalism.”
Last Ditch Bar was contacted for comment. Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to the report.