Last Ditch Bar’s Mask-Free Night Nearly Cancelled Amid Financial Crisis and Community Rift
The first mask-free Saturday at Greenfield’s Last Ditch Bar was nearly cancelled after the owner cited 'infiltration' fears, though the event eventually proceeded with strict security measures. The venue, which opened in 2025 with mandatory masks to protect immunocompromised patrons, faced a severe community backlash after making masks optional on Saturdays to boost revenue. This decision triggered a boycott, the departure of two co-owners, and a national media storm. While the bar remains financially struggling, the viral attention has drawn Hollywood interest and sparked a broader debate on the viability of progressive community spaces.