Struggling Safe Space
Struggling Safe Space
Owners of Wunderbar say the LGBTQ-friendly bar and cafe is a much needed respite for the Syracuse community.
anner Efinger and Nick West had lived in Syracuse for two years when they opened Wunderbar in 2019.
“We knew that we needed a place in Syracuse that could support the LGBTQ Community,” Efinger said. “Also, a place for artists to develop sustainable careers.”
Before Wunderbar, Tanner Efinger started a non-profit theater company called Breadcrumbs Productions that didn’t have a residence and was largely operating from his living room. Efinger is also the co-producer of Syracuse Guerilla Gay Bar. Efinger said pre-pandemic it was a monthly queer networking event that transformed ‘non-queer locations’ throughout Syracuse into a “queer-friendly” space for the night.
“It was an event that spread positivity and visibility for Syracuse’s LGBTQ community,” Efinger said. “The community got stronger, and we were proud of that.”