Best Of winners database

2001

Best brunch
Readers — Gabriel
Editors — Perry’s

Best overall dining
Readers — Annie’s
Editors — Mimi’s American Bistro

Best dessert
Readers — Marvelous Market
Editors — Sweetlicks Ice Cream Shoppe and Cafe

Best value
Readers — Trio
Editors — El Tamarindo

Most romantic
Readers — Two Quail
Editors — The Inn at Little Washington

Most trendy
Readers — Laurio Plaza
Editors — Thaiphoon

Tried and true
Readers — Cafe Luna
Editors — Duplex Diner

Best dance club
Readers — Nation
Editors — Badlands

Best country bar
Readers — Remington’s
Editor’s — Sheridan’s 1874 Old West Steakhouse

Best lesbian bar
Readers — Hung Jury
Editors — Phase 1

Best neighborhood pub
Readers — Townhouse Tavern
Editors — Mr. Henry’s on Capitol Hill

Best happy hour
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Hamburger Mary’s/Titan

Best leather bar
Readers/editors — D.C. Eagle

Best drag show
Readers — Ziegfeld’s
Editors — Feygele Feud

Most interesting crowd
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Club Chaos

Best place to meet people
Readers — JR’s
Editors — The Fireplace

Best DJ
Readers — Michelle Miruski
Editors — Scott Henry

Best bartender
Readers — J.J. Engbert (Annie’s)
Editors — Andreas Ocando (Omega)

Best drag queen
Readers — Lena Lett
Editors — Xavier Onasis Bloomingdale

Best drag king
Readers — Hunter
Editors — Ken Las Vegas

Local hero male
Readers — Frank Kameny
Editors — Phil Pannell

Local hero female
Readers — Annie Kaylor
Editors — Susan Hester

Up and coming local businessperson
Readers — Peter Alexas (Annie’s)
Editors — Rocky Scott (Rocky’s Cafe)

Dynamic couple
Readers — Elizabeth Birch and Hilary Rosen
Editors — Steve Gunderson and Rob Morris

Committed activist — female
Readers — Kathleen DeBold
Editors — Cheryl Spector

Committed activist — male
Readers — Wayne Turner
Editors — Carl Schmid

Best coffeeshop
Readers — Xando Cosi
Editors — Soho Coffee and Tea

Best gym
Readers — Results
Editors — The Fitness Company

Best bookstore
Readers — Lambda Rising
Editors — Kramerbooks & Afterwords
Honorable mention — Sisterspace and Books

Best video store
Readers — Washington Video
Editors — Video Americain

Best art gallery
Readers — Corcoran Gallery of Art
Editors — Kitchen

Best clothing store
Readers — universal Gear
Editors — The Leather Rack

Best theater
Readers — Studio Theatre
Editors — Source Theatre Company

Local artist
Readers — Nicolas Shi
Editors — Sonda Tamarr Allen

Local musician
Readers — Mary Chapin Carpenter
Editors — Arthur Loves Plastic

2002

Best brunch
Readers— Gabriel
Editors — Perry’s

Best overall
Readers — Annie’s
Editor’s — Mercury Grill

Best dining value
Readers — Hamburger Mary’s
Editors — Pepper’s

Most romantic
Readers — Two Quail

Best trendy
Readers — Foodbar DC
Editors — Thaiphoon

Tried and true
Readers — Lauriol Plaza
Editors — Duplex Diner

Best late night
Readers — The Diner

Best dessert
Readers — Afterwards

Virginia restaurant
Readers — Freddie’s Beach Bar

Maryland restaurant
Readers — Cheesecake Factory

Best dance club
Readers — Nation
Editors — Badlands

Best country bar
Readers — Remington’s
Editors — Sheridan’s 1874 Old West Steakhouse

Best neighborhood bar
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Polly’s Cafe

Best lesbian bar
Readers — Phase 1

Best leather bar
Readers — D.C. Eagle

Best happy hour
Readers — JR’s

Best drag show
Readers — Ester Goldberg’s Big Show
Editors — Ella Fitzgerald and the Ladies of Illusion at Zeigfeld’s

Most interesting crowd
Readers/Editors — Lizard Lounge

Best place to meet men
Readers — Cobalt
Editors — 30 Degrees

Best place to meet women
Readers — Liquid Ladies

Best live music
Readers — 9:30 Club
Editors — The Black Cat

Best gimmick
Readers — Feygele Feud at JR’s
Editors — Shirtless Thursdays at Green Lantern

Best Virginia bar
Readers — Freddie’s

Best Maryland bar
Readers — The Hippo

Best theater
Readers — Studio Theatre
Editors — Cherry Red

Best art gallery
Readers — The Phillips Collection

Local hero male
Readers — David Catania
Editors — Brett Parsons

Local hero female
Readers — Eleanor Holmes NOrton
Editors — Carlene Cheatam

Committed activist: male
Readers — Blake Humphreys
Editors — Rick Rosendall

Committed activist
Readers — Kathleen DeBold
Editors — Ellen Kahn

Best drag queen
Readers — Lena Lett
Editors — Aubrey

Best DJ
Readers — Wess
Editors — DJ Kostas

Best bartender
Readers — Reggie Tyson (Nation)
Editors — Mike Ferens (Badlands)

Best drag king
Readers/editors — Ken Las Vegas

Best committed transgender activist
Readers pick — Earline Budd
Editors — Riki Wilchins

Best coffee shop
Readers — Xando/Cosi
Editors — Sparky’s Cafe

Best gym
Readers — Results (Dupont Circle)
Editors — Results (Capitol Hill)

Best bookstore
Readers — Lambda Rising
Editors — Kramerbooks & Afterwords

Best video store
Readers — Empire Video

Best clothing store
Readers — Abercrombie & Fitch
Editors — Universal Gear

Best music store
Readers — Melody Music
Editors — DCCD

Most effective non-profit
Readers — Whitman-Walker Clinic
Editors — The Mautner Project

Best spot to cruise
Readers — Dupont Circle
Editors — Whole Foods

2003

Best overall restaurant
Readers — Lauriol Plaza
Editors — 15 RIA

Brunch
Readers/editors — Perry’s

Dessert
Readers — Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Editors — Cake Love/Love Cafe

Value
Readers — Duplex
Editors — Mr. Henry’s

Most romantic
Readers — Two Quail
Editors — Russia House

Most trendy
Readers — Health Bar
Editors — Helix Lounge

Best late night
Readers/editors — The Diner

Pizza
Readers/editors — Pizzeria Paradiso

Tried and true
Readers/editors — Annie’s

Dance club
Readers/editors — Velvet Nation

Country bar
Readers/editors — Remington’s

Lesbian bar
Readers/editors — Phase 1

Neighborhood pub
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Polly’s Cafe

Happy hour
Readers — JR’s
Editors — 30 Degrees

Leather
Readers/editors — D.C. Eagle

Drag show
Readers/editors — Ziegfeld’s

Most interesting crowd
Readers/editors — Lizard Lounge

Best place to meet men
Readers — Cobalt
Editors — Green Lantern

Best place to meet women
Readers — Mautner Project dinner
Editors — Between Friends

Live music
Readers/editors — 9:30 Club

Special night
Readers/editors — Club Five “Mass”

Maryland bar
Readers — The Hippo
Editors — Grand Central

Virginia bar
Readers/editors — Freddie’s Beach Bar

DJ
Readers — Rob Harris
Editors — Ed Bailey

Bartender
Readers/editors — Mike Izeta (JR’s)

Drag king
Readers/editors — Ken Las Vegas

Drag queen
Readers — Aubrey
Editors — Ella Fitzgerald

Local hero male
Readers — Frank Kameny
Editors — Paul Smith

Local hero female
Readers — Eleanor Holmes Norton
Editors — Esther Katzman

Businessperson
Readers — Richard Zapata
Editors — Ron Henderson

Dynamic couple
Readers/editors — Deb Price and Joyce Murdoch

Committed activist
Readers — Wayne Turner
Editors — Mark Meinke

Committed activist female
Readers/editors — Elizabeth Birch

Committed transgender activist
Readers — Jessica Xavier
Editors — Mara Keisling

Straight ally male
Readers — Mayor Anthony Williams
Editors — Rev. John Bryson Chane

Straight ally female
Readers/editors — Carol Schwartz

Coffeeshop
Readers — Caribou
Editors — Sparky’s Espresso Cafe

Gym
Readers/editors — Results

Bookstore
Readers/editors — Lambda Rising

Video store
Readers — Empire Video
Editors — Video Americain

Music store
Readers/editors — Melody Record Shop

Clothing store
Readers — Universal Gear
Editors — Pop

Non-profit
Readers — Food & Friends
Editors — The Mautner Project

Spot to cruise
Readers — Dupont Circle
Editors — Whole Foods

House of worship
Readers — Metropolitan Community Church of Washington
Editors — National City Christian Church

College or university
Readers — George Washington University
Editors — American University

Art gallery
Readers — Phillips Collection
Editors — Art-O-Matic

Movie theater
Readers — Loew’s Georgetown 14
Editors — Landmark Bethesda Row

Theater
Readers/Editors — Shakespeare Theatre

Theater company
Readers/editors — Cherry Red

Artist
Readers — Nicholas Shi
Editors — Gordon Binder

Musician
Readers/editors — Outskirts of Town

2004

Best overall restaurant
Readers — Lauriol Plaza
Editors — David Greggory Restau Lounge

Brunch
Readers — Gabriel
Editors — Cashion’s Eat Place

Ethnic
Readers — Thaiphoon
Editors — White Tiger

Vegetarian
Readers/editors — Vegetable Garden

Best value
Readers — Chipotle
Editors — The Cafe Menu at Palena’s

Dessert
Readers — Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Editors — Cold Stone Creamery

Most trendy
Readers — Komi
Editors — Firefly

Late night
Readers — Annie’s
Editors — Sette Osteria

Best new restaurant
Readers — Rice
Editors — Palette

Tried and true
Readers — Annie’s
Editors — Duplex Diner

Most romantic
Readers — Two Quail
Editors — Obelisk

Best dance club
Readers — Velvet Nation
Editors — Cobalt

Best lesbian bar
Readers/editors — Phase 1

Best lesbian night
Readers — Liquid Ladies
Editors — Merge

Neighborhood pub
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Duplex Diner

Happy hour
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Helix

Best drag show
Readers — Ziegfeld’s
Editors — Chaos

Best place to meet men
Readers — JR’s
Editors — Apex

Best place to meet women
Readers/editors — Liquid Ladies

Most interesting/diverse crowd
Readers/editors — Lizard Lounge

Best special night/party
Readers — Excursion Tea Dance
Editors — Taint

Best Maryland or Virginia bar
Readers — Freddie’s Beach Bar
Editors — The Hippo

Best new bar/club
Readers/editors — Halo

Local non-profit
Readers — Whitman-Walker Clinic
Editors — Equality Fairfax

Bookstore
Readers — Lambda Rising
Editors — Candida’s World of Books

House of worship
Readers — Foundry United Methodist
Editors — Bet Mishpachah

Theater
Readers — Signature Theatre
Editors — Arena Stage

Coffeeshop
Readers — Caribou
Editors — Sparky’s

Gym
Readers — Results
Editors — Body Smith

Video store
Readers — Empire Video
Editors — Netflix

Clothing store
Readers — Universal Gear
Editors — Commander Salamander

Movie theater
Readers — Loews Georgetown 14
Editors — Landmark E Street Cinema

Music store
Readers/editors — Melody Record Shop

Best spot to cruise
Readers — 17th Street
Editors — Whole Foods

Local hero male
Readers — David Catania
Editors — Adrien Alstad

Local hero female
Readers — Cheryl Jacques
Editors — Janet Miller-Jenkins

Best straight ally
Readers — Carol Schwartz
Editors — Sam Brooks

Drag performer
Readers — Cookie Buffet
Editors — Ella Fitzgerald

Local businessperson
Readers — Eric Hirschfield
Editors — Ron Henderson

Best DJ
Readers — Rob Harris
Editors — DJ Wess

Best bartender
Readers — Mike Izeta (JR’s)
Editors — Darren Phillips (Logan Tavern/Lizard Lounge)

2005

Best new restaurant
Readers: Merkado Kitchen
Editors: Hank’s Oyster Bar

Most romantic
Readers: Two Quail
Editors: Grill from Ipanema

Best Vegetarian
Readers: Mark’s Kitchen
Editors: Great Sage

Best ethnic
Readers: Rice
Editors: W Domku Bar & Cafe

Best brunch
Readers: Annie’s
Editors: Logan Tavern

Best dessert
Readers: Kingsbury Chocolates
Editors: Kramerbooks

Tried and true
Readers: Annie’s
Editors: Duplex

Best value
Readers: Lauriol Plaza
Editors: Coppi’s

Best late night
Readers: The Diner
Editors: Annie’s

Best dance club
Readers: Apex
Editors: Velvet Nation

Best lesbian bar
Readers/editors: Phase 1

Best lesbian night
Readers: Chaos Wednesdays
Editors: A Different Kind of Ladies Night

Neighborhood pub
Readers: JR’s
Editors: Duplex Diner

Happy hour
Readers: Halo
Editors: 30 Degrees

Drag show
Readers: Ziegfeld’s
Editors: D.C. Kings

Place to meet men
Readers: Cobalt
Editors: D.C. Eagle

Place to meet women
Readers: Mautner Project Gala
Editors: Liquid Ladies

Most interesting/diverse crowd
Readers: Halo
Editors: Fuego

Best special night/party
Readers: Cobalt’s flashback
Editors: Taint

Best suburban bar
Readers: Freddie’s
Editors: De Lounge

Best DJ
Readers: Jason Royce
Editors: Rob Harris

Local male hero
Readers: Robert York
Editors: Phil Pannell

Local female hero
Readers: Kathleen DeBold
Editors: Wanda Alston (posthumous)

Straight ally
Readers: Adrian Fenty
Editors: Revs. Dennis and Christine Wiley (Covenant Baptist Church)

Best bartender
Readers/editors: Mike Harrington

Local businessperson
Readers: Rob Kingsbury
Editors: Mike Weber

Drag performer
Readers/editors: Ella Fitzgerald

Best non-profit/activist group
Readers: Mautner Project
Editors: Equality Maryland

House of worship
Readers: MCC-DC
Editors: Unity of Washington

Best movie theater
Readers: Landmark E Street
Editors: AFI Silver

Best theater
Readers: Studio Theatre
Editors: Shakespeare Theatre Co.

Coffeeshop
Readers: Caribou
Editors: Sparky’s Cafe

Best gym
Readers: Results
Editors: Bodysmith Personal Training

Clothing store
Readers: Universal Gear
Editors: Pop

Bookstore
Readers: Lambda Rising
Editors: Candida’s World of Books

Music shop
Readers/editors: Melody Records

Best video store
Readers: The Video Rack
Editors
Video Americain

Best spot to cruise
Readers: Dupont Circle
Editors: 14th Street

2006

Best new restaurant
Busboys and Poets

Most romantic
Two Quail

Best brunch
Shi-Queeta’s Illusion Champagne Brunch at Onyx

Best vegetarian
Asylum

Best dessert
Afterward’s Cafe

Best late night
Annie’s

Best ethnic
Thai Tanic

Tried and true
Annie’s

Best pizza
2 Amy’s

Best dance club
Apex

Best drag show
Bachelor’s Mill

Best lesbian bar
Phase 1

Best Maryland bar
The Hippo

Best Virginia bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar

Best place to meet women:
A Different Kind of Ladies Night

Best neighborhood bar
Best place to meet men
Best happy hour
Halo

Best women’s clothing store
Meeps

Best spa
The Grooming Lounge

Best place to take a first date
L’Enfant Cafe

Best hair salon
Bang

Best gym
Results

Best day trip
Great Falls

Best home decorating store
Go Mama Go!

Best men’s clothing store
Universal Gear

Best bookstore
Lambda Rising

Best house of worship
MCC-DC

Best cruise spot
Dupont Circle

Best video store
The Video Rack

Best live music venue
9:30 Club

Best place to take mom
The National Portrait Galler

Best non profit
HRC

Best music store
Melody Record Shop

Best theater company
Actors Theatre of Washington

Best movie theater
Landmark E Street

Local hero female
Darlene Nipper

Local hero male
Brett Parson

Best DJ
Jason Royce

Best bartender
Mike Harrington (Apex)

Straight ally
Carol Schwartz

Best businessperson
Mike Fine with Tax Masters

Best drag performer
Shi-Queeta-Lee

2007

Best new restaurant
Jack’s

Best vegetarian
Vegetate

Best Indian
Indique

Best dessert
Kramerbooks

Best brunch
Beacon Bar and Grill

Best late night
Best steakhouse
Annie’s

Best romantic
Two Quail

Best thai
Thai Tanic

Best wine list
Hank’s Oyster Bar

Best dance club
Apex

Best Virginia bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar

Best lesbian bar
Phase 1

Best happy hour
Best neighborhood bar
Best place to meet men
Halo

Best Maryland bar
The Hippo

Best karaoke
Mama’s Trailer Park at Remington’s

Best drag show
Chit’s The Bowled & the Beautiful

Best dance party
Best place to meet women
Girl Confidential

Best gay-friendly straight bar
Republic Gardens

Best theater company
Studio Theatre

Best social Club
BeBar

Best day trip
Tie: Rehoboth Beach/Philadelphia

Best live music venue
9:30 Club

Best place to take mom
The Kennedy Center

Best women’s clothing
H&M

Best bookstore
Lambda Rising

Best home decorating store
West Elm

Best gym
Results

Best local blog
DCist

Best coffee shop
Soho Tea and Coffee

Best sports team
Washington Renegades

Best non-profit
Food & Friends

Best neighborhood
Logan Circle

Best spa:
Skin: Cosmetic Dermatology of Georgetown

Best hair salon
Blondie’s Spa/Salon

Best house of worship
MCC-DC

Best men’s clothing store
Universal Gear

Best movie theater
Landmark’s E Street

Best drag queen
Queen Bambi

Best abs
Harold Sanco

Local female hero
Cheryl Spector

Best lesbian actress
Holly Twyford

Best gay actor
Will Gartshore

Best DJ
Jason Royce

Local hero
Best straight ally
Adrian Fenty

Best gay politician
David Catania

Best drag king
E-Clef

Best bartender
Brian Sparrow (Cobalt)

Best businessperson
Mike Fine (Tax Masters)

2008

Best bakery
Tie: Firehook/Cake Love

Best brunch
Best non-D.C. bar
Best date restaurant
Freddie’s Beach Bar

Best burger
Five Guys

Best new restaurant
Cork

Best dessert/sweet shop
Gerogetown Cupcake

Best food store
Whole Foods

Best Indian restaurant
Tandoori Nights

Best late night
Best steak dinner
Annie’s

Best Thai restaurant
Mai Thai

Best wine/liquor
Bin 66

Best dance club
Best place to meet men
Best dance party
Best drag show
Town Danceboutique

Best lesbian nightlife event/bar
Best place to meet women
Phase 1

Best happy hour
Halo

Best cocktail
Mojito at Halo

Best live music
9:30 Club

Best neighborhood bar
JR’s

Most welcoming straight bar
Jack’s

Best pet retail
PetSmart

Best home furnishings
Go Mama Go!

Best theater company
Ganymede Arts

Best gay actor
Jeffrey Johnson

Best cosmetic treatment facility/spa
Skin Cosmetic Dermatology of Georgetown

Best sports team
Washington Renegades

Best hotel
Hotel Palomar

Best social club
Tie: The Academy of Washington/Capital Area Rainbowlers Association

Best art gallery
National Gallery of Art

Best auto retailer
Saturn of Alexandria

Best clothing store
Universal Gear

Best bookstore
Lambda Rising

Best local blog
DCist

Best movie theater
Landmark E Street

Best museum
Newseum

Best nearby getaway
Rehoboth Beach

Best non profit
Food & Friends

Best vet
Colonial Animal Hospital

Best gym
Results

Best house of worship
MCC-DC

Best cleaning service
A Cleaning Service, Inc.

Best weekend getaway
Guest House at Lost River

Best lawn care company
Branches Tree Experts

Best drag king
Xavier Bottoms

Best drag queen
Blair Michaeils

Best personal trainer
Mike Everts at FIT

Best DJ
DJ Wess (Town)

Best real estate pro
Bryan Talbott at Esquire Federal City

Best business person
Michael Fine at Tax Masters

Best local artist
Seroya

Local hero female
Carol Schwartz

Best hairstylist
Bryan Smith (Blondie’s)

Local hero male
Ed Bailey

Best straight ally
Jack Evans

Best bartender
Kymmr Barker (Freddie’s Beach Bar)

2009

Best dessert/sweets shop
Cake Love

Best hotel bar
Point of View at the W Hotel

Best new restaurant
Level One

Best brunch
Beacon Bar & Grill

Best wine bar
Cork

Best late night
The Diner

Best date restaurant
The Melting Pot

Best vegetarian
Vegetate

Best specialty cocktails
Halo

Best dance club
Town

Most gay-friendly straight bar
Black Cat

Best out-of-the-District bar:
Freddie’s Beach Bar

Best happy hour
JR’s

Best neighborhood bar/place to meet men
Nellie’s

Best place to meet women:
Phase 1

Best drag show
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets

Best lesbian nightlife event
Bare at Cobalt

Best theater
Studio Theatre

Best bookstore
Kramerbooks

Best hotel
W Hotel

Best art gallery
National Portrait Gallery

Best museum
National Gallery of Art

Best non-profit
Whitman-Walker

Best social club
Burgundy Crescent

Best sports team
D.C. Aquatics Club

Best home furnishings
IKEA

Best live music venue
9:30 Club

Best food store
Trader Joe’s

Best weekend getaway
Hotel Rehoboth

Gest gym
VIDA

Best auto retailer
BMW of Arlington

Best pet retailer
Dogs by Day

Best vet
CityPaws

Best movie theater
Landmark E Street

Best wine/liquor store
Barrel House Liquors

Best house of worship
MCC-DC

Best local blog
DCist

Best cosmetic treatment/spa
Bang Salon

Best clothing store
H&M

Local hero male
Matt Bamford

Best hairstylist Patrick Guarniere

Local hero female
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Best bartender
Dylan Davis

Best straight ally
Brett Johnson

Best businessperson
Ed Bailey

Best drag king
Xavier Bottoms

Best personal trainer
Mike Everts at FIT

Best attorney
Glen Ackerman

Best local artist
Glenn Fry

Best real estate professional
Mark Rutstein

Best drag queen
Ella Fitzgerald

Best DJ
DJ Wess (Town)

Best actor
John Moletress

2010

Best vegetarian restaurant
The Reef

Best ethnic
Rice

Best dessert
Hello Cupcake

Best hotel bar
POV at the W Hotel

Best brunch
Level One

Best wine bar
Cork

Best plae for food & wifi
Busboys & Poets

Best chef
Allan Javery of Level One

Best date restaurant
Floriana

Best late night
Annie’s

Best dance club
Town

Best out-of-D.C. bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar

Best happy hour
Thursdays at JR’s

Best place to meet men
Cobalt

Best drag show
Ziegfeld’s

Best place to meet women
Phase 1

Best cocktail
Cucumber Ginger Martini (MOVA)

Best gay-friendly straight bar
Cafe St-Ex

Best live music
9:30 Club

Best neighborhood bar
Nellie’s

Best house of worship
MCC-DC

Best movie theater
Landmark E Street

Best home furnishings
Room and Board

Best bookstore
Kramerbooks

Best hotel
The Dupont Hotel

Best art gallery
Gallery planb

Best non-profit
Food & Friends

Best local blog
DCist

Best spa
Bliss

Best place to get married
Hillwood Estate

Best wedding registry
Crate & Barrel

Best clothing store
Universal Gear

Best gym
Vida Fitness

Best theater
Studio Theatre

Best weekend getaway
Rehoboth Beach

Local hero female
Lynda Carter

Local hero male
David Catania

Best drag king
E-Cleff

Best realtor
Mark Rutstein

Best DJ
Chord Bezerra

Best drag queen
Ba’Naka

Best businessperson
David Franco

Best personal trainer
Tyler Sullivan (Vida)

Best gay TV personality
Tie — Roby Chavez/Paul Wharton

Best actor
Jeffrey Johnson

Best straight ally
Phil Hicks

Best Secrets dancer
Christian

Best bartender
Kymmr Barker (Freddie’s)