By Dakota Parks for Inweekly
It’s a Saturday night at Pensacola’s new queer bar, and chaos is part of the charm. Laughter erupts as fog machines cloud the air, the scent of spicy stir-fried udon noodles wafts from the kitchen, and the rhythmic thump of a drag show syncs perfectly with the cheers of a gaggle of lesbians daring each other to climb—and inevitably tumble off— the dueling stripper poles. The resident bar dog makes his rounds, greeting patrons and posing for selfies, and in the courtyard, you can hear a jazz band drifting over from the neighboring historic Bunny Club.
This is the magic of Betty’s on Belmont—a place where you never quite know what you’re walking into, and that’s exactly the point.
If you haven’t heard about chizuko reopening as Betty’s on Belmont, you’re not alone. After closing its doors during the pandemic, the iconic dive bar, vegan restaurant and music venue quietly reopened under a new name last month. What began as a soft launch seamlessly turned into regular hours with the bar relying on word of mouth, the buzz of past loyal regulars and the curiosity of those who never got to experience chizuko in its heyday. This low-key approach was intentional—a nod to the DIY, alternative, queer, punk and diverse spirit that has always defined the space.
At the helm are Daisy Doyle and Lynn Cameron, longtime friends turned business partners, who wanted to create a space where they could not only enjoy working but—somewhere they would love to hang out, too.
“People love secrets and surprises in Pensacola—to feel like they’re in the know. chizuko also opened up by word of mouth back in 2017, so we didn’t want some grand announcement,” Doyle said. “My dream has always been to create a cool place that I would want to hang out in. I knew if I created something I loved, other people would love it too.”
The result? A space they both call “grandma’s funky living room.” It’s a bar where you can kick your feet up, enjoy a meal, sing karaoke, dance with your friends, bruise your legs on the stripper poles, or even read a book, crochet a scarf or do a tarot spread. Yep, all of that happens here.
“If you’re looking for a space that feels comfortable, where you can take a deep breath, be yourself and have a good time, then this is the place to come,” Cameron said. “Especially if you’re a little socially awkward, shy or have a hard time going out by yourself, this space has a lot of little, cozy, dark corners you can hang out in.”
Beyond the cozy atmosphere, Cameron also talked about the comfort found in working with an old friend.
“Daisy and I have known each other forever,” Cameron said. “I think I was 19 when we met and worked in the service industry a lot together, and then I moved away, and I’ve been nursing for the past 10 years. When I moved back, Daisy was talking about wanting to reopen a bar, and I was talking about wanting to get out of nursing. Both of us work really well together, so we were like, ‘Let’s go for it. Let’s do it.’”
The two are definitely a dynamic duo, and thankfully their skills complement each other.
“Daisy actually calls me her ‘little construction ho,’ because Daisy is like the visionary,” Cameron said. “We are like yin and yang, you know? Daisy’s the razzle dazzle visionary, and I’m like, ‘I’ll do it. Where are my tools?’ So it works really well. We balance each other out.”
The bar’s name is still an homage to Doyle’s own grandmother, Chizuko Carlisle, who went by the name “Betty” when she moved from Hawaii to Pensacola to raise her family. Doyle’s Japanese heritage remains at the heart of the space—where sake and sushi flow nonstop. Well, almost nonstop. The kitchen closes at 2 a.m. The masterminds in the kitchen—Dot, former co-owner of Khon’s, and his sidekick Josh—serve up sushi, stir-fries, soups, vegan options and a rotating menu of bold, inventive Asian dishes. Most nights, you can also spot Pretty Baked food truck outside dishing out vegan sandwiches and sweets.
While the elevated food defines Betty’s, the music is equally essential. Nestled in Pensacola’s historic Belmont-DeVilliers music district, Betty’s embraces all forms of alternative music. As an underground venue, Doyle curates diverse entertainment lineups, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
“The music is so important,” Doyle explained. “It has to be the center of what we do. Other businesses have failed in this space because they didn’t focus on the music. So, I’m always booking a little of something for everybody, because queer people don’t just like one type of music. We have punk, rap, blues, jazz, EDM, comedy shows, burlesque, drag shows, a puppet show—you name it. I’m just happy to hear the music in this space again.”
Following in its legacy, chizuko was known for more than just great food and music; it was equally infamous as an unofficial queer bar, a place where lesbians gathered to hang out. With a staggering number of lesbian bars shutting down across the U.S. and Pensacola’s two gay bars primarily catering toward gay men, it became crucial to openly identify the space as a queer bar this time around.
“With chizuko, we didn’t really need to label it as a queer space; it just became one. Everyone just knew. I never had to say it, but it’s so much cooler to just say it,” Doyle explained, grinning. “Plus, there aren’t any spaces like this in Pensacola, so it felt necessary. I just want a space where you can do whatever you want and just be comfortable here. That’s the best part about Betty’s is that nobody is judging you here.”
Echoing this sentiment, Cameron explained that by clearly defining the space and making it visible, they’re drawing in new crowds—people who may have never felt comfortable coming out before.
“Not only are people excited to return to the old feeling of chizuko, but as a visibly queer and trans-friendly space, it attracts different crowds who feel safer walking through these doors. We’re not afraid to vocalize that we won’t tolerate hatred in any form. As long as everybody treats each other with respect, otherwise, you’re fucking out of here!” Cameron yelled, motioning toward the door.
Betty’s on Belmont
WHERE: 506 W. Belmont St.
DETAILS: @bettys_on_belmont
Upcoming Events at Betty’s on Belmont
Saturday, Dec. 28 Haus of Delphinium’s Burlesque Showcase
Tuesday, Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Panty Dropper Party featuring DJ Hale, Pauper’s Grave, drag and more
Saturday, Jan. 4 A Bluegrass show featuring Yes Ma’am, Ponch Bueller and Maray Fuego
Wednesday, Feb. 1 Valentine’s Goth Night