Beloved SF Drag Club ‘Oasis’ Saved After Surprise Donation
A surprise last-minute donation has saved beloved SoMa drag club Oasis, which had planned to close after its New Year’s Eve party. The venue announced that Bay Area philanthropists Mark and Mary Stephens made a significant financial contribution to Oasis Arts, the club’s nonprofit arm, allowing the space to remain open for the foreseeable future. With this support, Oasis plans to purchase its building, a move that could help stabilize the venue long-term and protect it from future financial strain.
Opened in 2014 by the late drag legend Heklina and current owner D’Arcy Drollinger, Oasis has become a cornerstone of San Francisco’s drag and nightlife scene, hosting everyone from local performers to major celebrities. The club has faced years of financial challenges, including the loss of pandemic funding, crime-related setbacks, and rising operating costs, with D’Arcy personally draining retirement savings to keep it alive. Oasis is expected to temporarily close for several months in 2026 for building repairs, with plans to reopen by summer, marking a new chapter for one of the city’s most important cultural spaces.
Related Story: SF’s Iconic Drag Nightclub Oasis Closing At End of the Year – 7/21/2025
Read more at SF Gate
