Ron Singer, the owner of Baltimore’s popular gay bar Leon’s Backroom, died Tuesday, the venue announced in a social media post. He was 66.

“For more than 20 years, Ron made Leon’s a place so many people were proud to call home,” the post reads. “He will be deeply missed.”

The Mount Vernon bar, typically open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, is still open Thursday, but doors will close at midnight so staff can attend his funeral Friday morning. Services are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Sol Levinson’s Chapel.

“We look forward to honoring Ron’s legacy by keeping Leon’s the place we all know and love,” the statement concludes.

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Ron Singer, owner of Leon’s Backroom Bar.

Dozens of patrons and industry colleagues shared their condolences on the bar’s Facebook page. Leon’s is the city’s oldest gay bar, offering a safe gathering space for LGBTQIA+ Baltimoreans since 1957.

“Thank you Ron for your years of service to Baltimore’s LGBTQ community,” wrote Brian Dolbow, the president of the nonprofit B & Dee’s Baltimore Love. “We will always remember your kindness.”

Singer supported the organization’s food drive and cooked a Thanksgiving meal for people in need, Dolbow said.

“He was a great guy and we always had a good laugh together,” wrote Rodney Burger, who operates The ShipMates Club of Baltimore. “[When] he invited me to come see his bar in Canton years ago, he treated me to lots of food and drink. He was also always happy to help my club.”

Another commenter, David Tooma, said he met Singer when he purchased Leon’s. Singer kept his promise to “keep Leon’s a gay staple for all,” Tooma wrote.

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Others echoed similar sentiments, thanking Singer for his community involvement and praising Leon’s for its commitment to staying open after his death.

Singer also briefly owned and operated the now-shuttered Red House Tavern in Canton.

This story will be updated.

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