Tickles, one of Minneapolis’ newest LGBT bars closed for the last time on Sunday. Part sports bar, part piano bar, the establishment opened in Northeast Minneapolis in 2009 and moved to downtown Minneapolis in 2010. A message to customers on the company’s website cites the poor economy for the closing.

As we all know, in the last several years, the unpredictable economy has impacted all of us including our customers and friends.

It is our deepest regret to inform you that Tickles has decided it can no longer maintain it’s service to the GLBT community and it’s responsibility to our employees.

Effective, February 28, 2011, Tickles has closed it’s operation. We would like to thank everyone for the support you have provided for the last 2+ years and wish you all well.

In the last few weeks the bar had added “Score” to its name and beefed up its sports bar vibe and downplayed its piano bar.

On its Facebook Page, patrons lamented the bar’s demise:

“We can’t begin to express our disappointment about your decision to close Tickles one of the shining locations for not only entertainment but our community to gather together,” wrote one fan. “We can’t begin to know the reason for this decision but we have come to know your establishment as a place we can call home.”