Gay apps are killing New Zealand gay bars. The longest-running venue Urge in Auckland is the ninth and latest gay venue that has closed down over the past two years because of the emergence of social media apps targeting homosexual users.

Urge had been in business for 17 years, but now has to close down its doors permanently due to slow business. Co-owner Paul Heard, who bought the bar with his ex-romantic partner and current business partner Alan Granville about 10 years ago, told Stuff that they can’t compete with the new venues online technology is offering these days.

Instead of going out to gay bars to meet fellow LGBT people, gay men and women are now more comfortable staying at home and using online applications. Apps allow them to mingle with others without exerting more effort.

Heard also noted how the Internet technology changed how the gay community interact with others. Even when two people are still in the same place, they still chat using their phones. Customers also don’t bother going out anymore during winter time since they can still meet people online.

Rents have aggravated the bars’ attempt to stay alive as well. Most LGBT venues were set up decades ago in the cheap areas of the city, but in 10 years, the rates have gone up from $66,000 a year to almost $200,000.

“Gay bars were a safe place to see a friendly face and not be judged,” Shine bar event manager Shane Way told Stuff. “These days it’s become more accepted in society so gay people don’t just go to gay bars.” Shine closed down in March.

Gays are now freer, but that still doesn’t mean they are treated as equals. Sociologist Michael Stevens also told the paper that LGBT people still suffer from restrictions by the society.

“It’s still not true to say that a gay couple can walk into any venue, hold hands, kiss and dance together in the same way straight couples can,” he said. Stevens also blamed the popularity of online gay apps such as Grindr for rendering such bars redundant.