Harlym Blue’Z: RVA’s New LGBTQ+ Hotspot Serves Soul & Spirit

Richmond’s LGBTQ+ scene just got a little louder—and a lot more soulful. Harlym Blue’Z is a bold new restaurant and entertainment venue led by powerhouse couple Le’Teshia LeSane and Mecca. With live music, home-cooked meals, and a mission to uplift the community, this space is redefining what it means to dine, connect, and celebrate in RVA.

The dream behind Harlym Blue’Z started with co-owner Le’Teshia LeSane, a seasoned vocalist and longtime fixture in Richmond’s arts community. For nearly 20 years, she’s performed across the city—but one venue in particular, Boogaloos, became her home base. When the former owner decided to sell the restaurant post-pandemic, she was determined to pass it along to another woman of color. Le’Teshia and her partner Mecca had already been searching for a place to call their own. The timing felt divine.

Together, the couple transformed the space into what is now Harlym Blue’Z—a venue dedicated to love, healing, and harmony through music, food, and shared experience. From the beginning, they envisioned it as a bridge: between the LGBTQ+ community and the general public, between arts and activism, between cultures and identities. It’s a place to communicate, ask questions, celebrate, and just… be.

Running a lesbian-owned business in the South—particularly as Black women—hasn’t been easy. As Le’Teshia and Mecca put it, “we check all three boxes: women, Black, and LGBTQ+. We fight daily to be seen, respected, and heard.” But their resilience is unmatched. “We take a stand for all women in business, all Black people in business, and all LGBTQ+ people in business,” they say. “Resilience has been woven into our fabric.”

That spirit is reflected in every part of Harlym Blue’Z—from the homegrown recipes and signature cocktails, to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s “filled with God, and God’s love for everyone.” Live music, open mics, themed events, and community-centered programming happen every night of the week, making Harlym Blue’Z one of the most consistent and creative LGBTQ+ spaces in Richmond.

But visibility doesn’t always come easy—especially when you’re bootstrapping from savings, with no loans or legacy backing. “We have to rely on word of mouth and God’s grace,” they say. The best way to support them? Show up. Spread the word. Share a meal, enjoy the music, and invite others to do the same.

Looking ahead, Le’Teshia and Mecca hope to build a dependable team, stay true to their inclusive values, and grow as a hub for healing, fun, education, and community. “We want people to see that a lesbian couple can live, laugh, and love just like anyone else—and we’re doing that out loud, with open doors and open arms.”

Whether you're looking for live entertainment, a comforting meal, or just a space where you can fully be yourself—Harlym Blue’Z is waiting to welcome you.