It’s been a rough summer for some bars on Cedar Creek Lake as businesses continue to struggle through the drought that has kept the lake low and visitors away.

Two on Highway 198, J.J’s and First and Last in Gun Barrel City, closed recently. The marquee in front of J.J.'s now flashes a for sale or lease sign.

Coconut in Seven Points on Highway 334 never opened despite extensive renovation by an investor to the old Chinese Food restaurant that included docks and a covered patio.  Coconut failed to open in the spring as planned, and the owner recently said he is unsure when it might open. He mentioned the possibility of it opening in early 2015.

Players Lounge in Seven Points on Highway 274 also closed, and it is for sale by the owners. The Tiki Hut in Tool remained closed all summer, despite reports that a new owner planned to reopen the marina bar and restaurant.

The Dock, a new bar that opened in Seven Points in the spring, remains open and appears to be stable. It offers live music on weekends. Longtime nightclubs Walkers Landing and Rita's in Gun Barrel City also remain open.

Garlow’s near the intersection of Highways 198 and 334 recently went on the market for sale, but owner Michael Slingerland said the business is not in trouble.

Gay bars have operated successfully on Cedar Creek Lake for two decades. Friends, which was transformed to the straight bar J.J.'s, thrived for 15 years.

Slingerland listed his five-year-old nightclub with Coldwell Banker American Dream Realty in Gun Barrel City a week ago for sale, but there is no hurry to unload the property, he said. The bar owner said he plans to hold out for an LGBT buyer who will continue to operate it as a gay bar.

Although Garlow's is gay owned and operated, it also attracts a large number of straight customers who enjoy the drag shows and socializing at the attractive bar.

Slingerland said he suspects any bars that closed did so because of the investment it would take to carry them through to the restart of the high season.

“You have to make your profit during the spring and summer to get through the winter,” Slingerland said. “If you don’t make enough money before winter, you aren’t going to make it through the year.”

The asking price is $240,000. The building is 2,500 square feet, and it sits on almost an acre of land so there is plenty of room for parking. In back there is a landscaped courtyard with tables and chairs, lighting and a bar. Inside there are tables and chairs, pool tables, game machines, a dance floor, a stage and of course a big bar with bar stools. All of it will be sold as a package.

Slingerland said he decided to sell the nightclub because he wants to do something different, like travel the world. “I’m not dying or anything,” he said. “I’ll turn 65 next year, and I just want to be free to do whatever I want.”

Slingerland said that even though the bar was listed just a week ago, he has already had several inquiries about it.