Table of Contents
An all-ages drag show and yummy khao tom?
The Emerald of Siam isn’t your typical Gay dive bar, but it’s still a shining spot of safety for anyone under the rainbow. This Richland institution blends cuisine and culture, drag and dance — all mixed with some mouthwatering pad Thai.
It’s not just an authentic Thai spot though — it proves how unexpected spaces can become community and safety hubs, and that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
“The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge has been a safe place for everyone for as long as I can remember. It has a magic about it that feels like you’re in a different world,” said one Facebook user.
“I would say that has been my social embrace, and being at Emerald has only helped that feeling,” said another patron.
“The Emerald of Siam has always been the most inviting bar and restaurant for the LGBT+ community that I've experienced in Richland,” said patron L.C. “The first time I was ever asked what my pronouns were was there. Although I'm a she/her, it really highlighted how welcoming the atmosphere the Emerald provides is. Thank you for all that you do!”
A Little Background
Richland and the broader Tri-Cities area have historically been based on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, federal work, and Cold War–era norms. The city prized professional ability and “don’t stand out” behavior. The region has also historically remained red. Republican presidential candidates have consistently outpolled Democratic candidates in recent elections: Donald Trump, for example, won the county with a clear majority in both 2020 and 2024.
As a result, Richland lacked many gathering places, nightclubs, or dance bars for LGBTQ+ people, who weren’t as openly welcomed as in nearby safer places, like Portland and Seattle. The attitude toward LGBTQ+ people from Richland locals has also been noted as cold.
“Actually, this last week I was doing some work with PFLAG and walked into a café just down from Emerald,” said one customer. “The owner was friendly and welcoming… but after I introduced myself and said who I was there on behalf of, the mood changed, and he became cold and standoffish. The tone the owner took towards me felt threatening.”
“When I was younger (elementary and jr. high ages), I experienced constant bullying and harassment. It made it very hard to be successful in school and socially. Constantly being physically attacked along with the blatant verbal harassment that ran rampant throughout my school years. This definitely hurt my spirit and caused deep depression in my life (which I currently deal with 30+ years later).” said another customer.
In contrast, the Emerald of Siam is a shining example of the persistency of Queer culture, of how, when people lack a typical venue to gather, they will find a third place. In making those spaces friendly, people can bring others out of the woodwork and discover their own identity and safety in unexpected ways.
“I came out when I was 17 in Portland Oregon, so when I moved back I had already been out for almost 20 years and definitely felt a lot more confident and secure around town! But the 2
Places I would name are Out and About and Emerald of Siam! Both places are LGBTQIA Safe Spaces and open to everyone!” said Dustin Butcher, a local at the Emerald.
History of the Emerald
The Emerald of Siam has been around in Richland for generations.
“We just celebrated our 42nd anniversary,” said owner Dara Quinn, “and we were the original Thai restaurant in the Tri-Cities. The first one. My mother opened the place in 1983 to share Thai food and culture with the community. She always provided a nurturing, welcoming atmosphere since the very beginning. Over the years we've had grade school kids come for presentations, cooking classes, and art exhibits.
“We love to help host fundraisers and benefits for local groups and individuals in need. Besides amazing Thai food and world-class nightlife, we have provided a space for young artists to get their first live performance experience, including hosting local middle school and high school jazz bands during the school year and having an all-ages open mic.”
The Emerald of Siam also hosts another one-of-a-kind event: an all-ages drag brunch. Since before the pandemic, the venue has held these family-friendly drag brunches about quarterly. Children may come with their parents: any raunchiness is omitted, and the family has a great time.
“I’ve had parents thank me personally for having a safe space for their children to be exposed to the culture and how warm and supportive it can be,” said Quinn. “Particularly parents of teens who are LGBTQ and worried about expressing themselves and don’t know if they will ever have a place in the community.”
These brunches went somewhat under the radar until 2021, when the mayor told her church congregation to let the Emerald know their dismay. This led to an avalanche of vandalism and hate calls and mail to the venue, including a death threat. An overwhelming number of LGBTQ+ people and allies then marched to city council and showed their support of the restaurant, the largest turnout the city attorney had seen in ten years, according to a local report.
An Example for Other Towns
When Queer visibility is woven into everyday community life, when a restaurant becomes a sanctuary, and when joy is shared across generations, something powerful happens: people feel seen. In this way, the Emerald of Siam sets an example for other rural towns and places without typical LGBTQ+ bars and clubs.
“I don't know, we just have always been ‘people people’ from the start,” said Quinn. “Not politically affiliated, not activists, just lovers. And we welcome everyone.
“It's kind of like someone saying, ‘Oh, you are so lucky to have Thai food every day’ … well, to Thai people, it is just food. So to say, "Oh, that's nice that you welcome LGBTQ+ people," well, we just welcome everybody.
“But it so happens that we have had to stand up as an ally, because we were targeted by bigots. And I am happy to wave the flag as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.”
