Trace Brewing has suspended its drag brunches and bingos for the foreseeable future due to noise complaints that have prompted a response from state police. The brewery, which has consistently held many POC and LGBTQ+ events, has been targeted by the neighbors for the noise. The brewery claims, however, that the problem stems from who is responding to the complaints.
On July 11, 2022, [then] Governor Wolf signed House Bill No. 1615 into law, now known as Act 67, affecting liquor license-holding businesses in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties. Act 67 made changes to the Liquor Code dealing with contract brewing agreements and alternating proprietorships, as well as amplified sound being heard off a licensee’s property, putting any issue under the control of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement (PLCE), the policing arm of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board(PLCB). This act makes the noise complaint a state issue and not a city issue, and state police respond to any noise complaints on the property.
The question remains: Is it about the noise or something more?
Since 2021, “Neighbors of Trace,” a “coalition of residents who live near Trace Brewing on Clement Way in Bloomfield,” have been bargaining, petitioning, emailing, calling their local and state representatives, and making reports to the state liquor control board over frequent amplified noise coming from Trace’s many summertime events.
The “Neighbors of Trace” website claims to support the communities that Trace serves and not oppose its inclusive programming, stating that many residents have attended and enjoyed its events. They claim that the frequency of the events is the issue.
Aadam Soorma, head of Marketing and Guest Experience at Trace Brewing, said, “Whenever there is an issue, the State Police respond to enforce the noise complaints, instead of the City Police.”
Soorma says that the state police are more intimidating, especially to the Black- and LGBTQ+ customers. He said, “ Trace Brewing wants its fair shake. The brewery is asking for due process in a case that has been dragging on for two years.”
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Soorma added, “We started having drag brunches and bingos because we want to be accessible and inclusive. It’s the ethos of Trace Brewing. Most breweries can be intimidating to intersectional communities.”
Dallas Stanley, who performs as Luna Skye and is the founder and event producer of S&S Productions, has been hosting events at Trace for the past five years. “I’ve done over 150 events there. I consider Trace my home bar. Performing at Trace is amazing, and the crowds are always even better because they are like-minded people ready for a good time. Even though it’s a brewery, it attracts such a diverse, incredible clientele that understands the venue’s purpose and its deeper meaning beyond just serving beer,” said Stanley.
Stanley considers the staff at Trace Brewing family. Stanley said, “We meet outside of the venue. We talk outside of the shows. We all support each other and have a lot of love for one another. Everyone has been incredible, and that’s a hard thing to find in many spaces.”
When Trace shut down its events, it came at a financial toll to performers. Stanley said, “This news was devastating to me, the hundreds of performers I’ve booked there, and the attendees that come out to see the shows. It’s caused a huge financial burden to lose two monthly shows unexpectedly.”
“While I think everybody has a job to do, I believe that there is a known past and present of minority-heavy venues being targeted and under a closer watch than some of the other venues.”
Stanley added, “I understand how armed and undercover state troopers can cause duress, trigger the people in the space, and make us feel unsafe in that manner. Why does there need to be an armed undercover trooper at a Monday evening drag show or a Sunday morning drag brunch filled with queer, POC … in a space where everyone is just trying to enjoy themselves?”
Sarah Huny Young, who DJs as huny XO, is an event coordinator and visual artist voted Pittsburgh City Paper’s Person of the Year in Music for 2021. Young said, “This entire experience has exhausted me because that is what racism does…it wears us down. Bigots are always louder, always more strategic, and endlessly fueled by the knowledge that they will always be believed.”
Stanley added, “Trace is more than a brewery. It is a gathering space for people who may not feel welcome or safe elsewhere. It is home to many queer and BIPOC individuals. The space means more than a few shows and a good time. I go there to work, to invite friends for coffee, or to get out of the house. I go there on hard days to see friendly faces. I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
Soorma said, “I miss walking into Trace and seeing my friends in the LGBTQ+ community.”
Stanley said, “I wish the utmost best for the owners and staff and any other producers affected by this.”