Lone Star Saloon held their first Mr. Lone Star Leather Contest since the COVID-19 pandemic. Contestants Dwayne Ludwig, Matty Zamora, and Fabian Alvarez arrive at bar hours before the Mr. Lone Star Leather event is open to the public for an intensive interview process.
Lone Star Saloon has served the Bay Area's leather and bear community for 36 years. During San Francisco's shelter-in-place ordinance, patrons adopted bar stools as a means for the bar to raise money.
Jake Gomez, a Lone Star regular, was one of the first to arrive when doors opened. He adopted "PRNDL" as his pup name, a reference to the letters on a drive shaft and way for him to joke about his disability. Jake won the 2025 cub champion at Lone Star earlier this year.
The contestants are introduced to the crowd in the first section of the competition - Bear Bar Wear.
Menudo, Fabian Alvarez's pup name, comes from his Latinx heritage.
Judges Tony Vega, Eric Greenfrost, Charlie Evans, Cody Elkin and Matthew Pup “Spark” Smith carefully watch and score each contestant.
The Mr. Lone Star Leather contest draws a big crowd early Sunday evening.
Matty Zamora beckons the crowd for applause during the Bear Bar Wear section of the Mr. Leather competition. His speech portion focused on mental health awareness in the community, which also garnered much applause from the crowd.
Details of contestant Dwayne Ludwig's pins, including a Lone Star Saloon enamel shield.
Contestants are judged not only on their outfit changes, stage performances, and interview responses, but also their abilities to mingle and create community among their peers. Matty mingles with bar patrons in between stage appearances.
Judge Eric Greenfrost (genderqueer) is involved many organizations in San Francisco, including the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, the Bears of San Francisco, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Last year's winners of Mr. LA Leather Bear and Mr. SF Eagle Leather, catch up with friends during a break in the contest.
Contestants socialize with groups and see how much money they can raise selling jello shots during the competition.
Pup Menudo dons his dad's cowboy hat and addresses the crowd during the Jock Strap portion with a quick bio, in which he describes growing up in San Francisco as a triplet with his lesbian sister and trans brother.
The saloon turned their pool table into a stage for the Mr. Leather competition. The chalk board says "Hi Daddy!" rather than pool challengers' names.
Before announcing the winner, Cody Elkin, Lone Star Saloon's previous Mr. Leather title holder, asks his community to come together and celebrate one another, despite differences they may have, especially during this current administration.
Charlie Evans, co-owner of Lone Star Saloon and producer of the contest, presents the patch for this year's winner.
Cody Elkin, the last winner of Mr. Lone Star Leather nine years ago, congratulates Matty on his new title as Mr. Lone Star Leather.
Contestants share the stage with the MC to celebrate a long day of competing, mingling, interviewing and outfit changes.
While the crowd celebrates Matty, the new Mr. Lone Star Lather, contestant Fabian enjoys a pint off stage.
After the event, patrons continue to mingle, dance, and show off their individual style - including Lone Star Saloon tattoos.
Jello shots are a crowd favorite at Lone Star Saloon.
MC Ray Tilton and judge/bar owner Charlie Evans sport their custom-made leather studded belts.
A long time Lone Star Saloon patron poses with a friend at the end of the bar.