Bars & Parties
Return to Rehoboth
10 of our favorite places to go
After the worst winter in recent memory, who isn’t ready for some beach time? The new summer season is already underway in Rehoboth Beach, Del. Here are 10 of our favorite places to go and things to do in D.C.’s very own gay beach getaway.
1. Visit CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave. From poker tournaments and film festivals to AA meetings and mental illness support groups, Rehoboth’s LGBT community center, which turns 20 this year, has something for everyone.
2. Have dinner at Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave. You’ve been there a million times for happy hour and karaoke, but did you know the Moon is also one of the best restaurants in town?
3. Enjoy live music or a DJ at the Frogg Pond, First & Rehoboth Avenue. The Pond isn’t just a popular lesbian bar. It’s a welcoming place for everyone and home to regular live music performances and DJs.
4. Hit the beach. Poodle Beach, at the south end of the boardwalk, is popular with gay men, but don’t forget North Shores and the state park a short drive away (destateparks.com). It’s quieter and, if you know a local with a four-wheel drive, you can ride right onto the sand (with the proper permit) with your cooler, grill and fishing pole.
5. Margaritas at Mariachi, 14 Wilmington Ave. After a hot day on the sand, there’s no better way to cool off than with a margarita on the second-floor outdoor deck at Mariachi. Owner Yolanda and her attentive staff will take good care of you. Be sure to request the corner table with unobstructed ocean views.
6. Rent a bike and get out of town. Most visitors never leave the town of Rehoboth, but there’s more to see. Rent a bike, cross Route 1 and explore the bay and marshes. Or ride one of the several trails, like the Junction & Breakwater or nature trail at Gordon’s Pond. Dewey Beach is just a mile or so down Route 1 and Lewes is a short ride with its own restaurants and quaint shops.
7. Happy hour at Aqua, 57 Baltimore Ave. The outdoor deck and shirtless servers attract crowds throughout the season. Get there on the early side, because a long line forms most weekends.
8. Shop, shop, shop. Rehoboth’s many and varied shops are the other main attraction besides the beach. This year saw the closing of Lambda Rising, but another LGBT store has opened across the street, Proud Bookstore, owned by former Lambda employee Jocques LeClair (on Baltimore Avenue in Village by the Sea). There are home decorating, clothing, art and other shops (many of them gay-owned), so spend time perusing the locally owned stores before hitting the outlets on Route 1.
9. People watching and Bloodys at Purple Parrot, 134 Rehoboth Ave. The gay-owned Parrot is popular all week, but our favorite time to go is Sundays. Grab one of the six-top tables in front along with a Bloody Mary and watch the beachgoers on Rehoboth Avenue. The good food, friendly service and always-upbeat music make for a memorable way to end the weekend.
10. Have your photo taken by Tony Burns. If your photo hasn’t appeared in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, then you’re not going out enough. Tony has been documenting Rehoboth’s social scene for 30 years and will be honored this weekend for his dedication — and for the donation of his incomparable photo collection to CAMP Rehoboth.
El Techo will host, in partnership with Cherry Fund, a special edition of “Cherry Sundays” on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m.
This event is a one-day fundraising bottomless brunch. There will be performances by Evry Pleasure, Tara Hoot and TrevHER, with DJ Lemz. All tequila shot purchases will be donated to the Cherry Fund.
The Cherry Fund raises money for LGBTQ non-profits whose primary goal is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS with prevention, treatment and education, and mental health services.
The event costs $45, inclusive of bottomless brunch on margaritas, mimosas, Bloody Marys and Tecates.
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend arrives next week with a kickoff event Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Bunker. Organizers at Kinetic promise a surprise drill sergeant who will whip you into shape. Joshua Ruiz DJs the event. This event is for VIP pass holders only; visit kineticpresents.com for details.
Xavier Entertainment LLC will host the seventh annual Times Square NYE Celebration at 10 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Busboys and Poets will host New Year’s Eve Open Mic and Party at 10 p.m. at 2021 14th St., N.W. This will be an evening of poetry, live DJ, dancing, food, and good company in a vibrant atmosphere where local artists take the stage, showcasing their talents in various genres. The night will be hosted by the talented Charity Blackwell and will feature award-winning poet Black Chakra. Dyanna Monet will deejay. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite.
BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Pitchers and A League of Her Own will host a NYE party with complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a DJ all night long.
Shaker’s plans a drag extravaganza with Tatianna and Crystal Edge among others starting at 10:30 p.m.; the $10 cover includes a glass of Champagne.
Bunker hosts a 12-hour masquerade ball with several DJs, including Joe Gauthreaux. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets start at $45 and are available at bunkerdc.com.
DJ Alex Love spins NYE at Dirty Goose with drink specials at midnight.
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