Still Leveling Up: Philly’s Black Queer Nightlife Fights to Keep Its Place

C. Aigner Ellis
May 6
2 min read

Philadelphia’s Black Pride came and went this year—but for many in the community, it passed without the one thing we’ve always deserved: a space of our own.

With Level Up Bar & Lounge currently between locations, this Pride season marked the first in recent memory where Black queer Philadelphians celebrated without a single dedicated venue to gather, dance, and be fully seen.

Let that sink in.

🏳️‍🌈 Level Up Was Never Just a Bar

For years, Level Up was more than a nightlife spot—it was a refuge. A heartbeat. A place where we didn’t have to explain ourselves, hide our pronouns, or code-switch our joy. It was home for drag royalty, ballroom kids, soul food lovers, and everyone in between.

And though the lights are temporarily off, the spirit of Level Up is anything but dimmed. Owners and organizers have made it clear: this is a relocation, not a resignation.

Because what we’re building in Philly? It’s not a moment. It’s a movement.

🎙️ Throwback: Kevyn Mines, Legacy & Intention

This moment also calls for reflection. So we’re revisiting our powerful sit-down with Kevyn Mines, Black LGBTQ+ activist and former adult star at Level Up Nighclub. If you missed the interview, now’s the time to catch up—it’s just another example of why these spaces matter, and what it takes to protect them.

✊🏾 Shoutout to Jacen Bowman

We also want to shout out Jacen Bowman, an executive at Philly Black Gay Pride and a respected voice in the city’s queer creative community. While it’s easy to focus on what’s missing, Jacen is one of the folks actively trying to pull our community together—to remind us that unity isn’t just a talking point, it’s a practice.