Bars & Parties

Before you pop the question, you’ll need a romantic setting

Published

16 years ago

February 12, 2010

With same-sex marriages expected to begin in the District next month, local couples are already planning their nuptials. But before you can cut the cake, you have to get your significant other to say “yes.” So, where to pop the question? If you’re thinking of doing the deed in an area restaurant, there are plenty of romantic and LGBT-friendly options. A few of our favorites.

Tabard Inn, 1739 N St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-331-8528. A cozy lounge, a wood-burning fire and wood-paneled walls make this the perfect spot to get down on bended knee.

Inn at Little Washington, Middle and Main streets, Washington, VA 22747, 540-675-3800, theinnatlittlewashington.com. Perhaps the ultimate nearby setting for the proposal, the wedding AND the honeymoon. Nothing less than an “international culinary shrine” headed by chef and proprietor Patrick O’Connell, who happens to be gay.

Komi, 1509 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-332-9200, komirestaurant.com. For a real splurge, impress your mate at Komi, which offers a multi-course menu for $125 per person.

Russia House, 1800 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-234-9433, russiahouselounge.com. Need some liquid courage? Grab an infused vodka shot at the bar before climbing the spiral staircase and taking a seat amid deep red wallpaper and dark wood paneling. Delicious food, top-notch service and did we mention the vodka?

Veritas, 2031 Florida Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-265-6270, veritasdc.com. Too nervous to eat a full dinner? No worries, pop the question at Veritas over wine and cheese.

Level One, 1639 R St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-745-0025. Why not propose to your partner in the neighborhood where it all began — the heart of gay D.C. Level One has great food and service and if your partner says yes, you’re only steps away from multiple gay bars and clubs where you can celebrate.

Cashion’s Eat Place, 1819 Columbia Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-797-1819, cashionseatplace.com. This Adams Morgan favorite remains one of the most inviting dining rooms in the city.

Annie’s PARAMOUNT STEAK HOUSE, 1609 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-232-0395. The fact that you and your mate have probably had dozens of dates at Annie’s makes this a sentimental choice for a place to propose.

Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, 555 S. 23rd St., Crystal City, VA 22202. 703-685-0555. OK, not the obvious choice for a quiet and romantic place to propose, but you won’t find a friendlier spot and you’re guaranteed a standing ovation from the rest of the patrons afterward if your partner says yes.

Obelisk, 2029 P St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-872-1180. The setting here is more intimate private dining room than restaurant. Attentive service, fresh ingredients and a regular price-fix menu make this Dupont-area townhouse dining spot an obvious choice for romance.

Thai Tanic, 1326 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005‎, 202-588-1795. This family-run, gay-friendly institution was among the pioneers of the 14th Street redevelopment. Casual, affordable and LGBT-supportive.

Straits of Malaya, 1836 18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-483-1483, straitsofmalaya.com. Another popular neighborhood spot that’s as gay-friendly as they come. If you’re proposing in spring or summer, there’s no better place than the outdoor deck here.

Citronelle, 3000 M St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, 202-625-2150, citronelledc.com,‎is an award-winning restaurant headed by renowned chef and owner Michel Richard Citronelle. Citronelle provides an elegant and romantic atmosphere with attention paid to every detail. The restaurant is known for beautifully presented French cuisine, expertly knowledgeable staff and a wine list that is certain to please any palate. Jackets are required for men so be sure to dress appropriately, as you should anyway when planning a romantic evening to ask for your partner’s hand.

Little Fountain Cafe, 2339 18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-462-8100, littlefountaincafe.com, provides an intimate space in the heart of Adams Morgan, which would be ideal for a proposal. Known as one of D.C.’s quietest restaurants, Little Fountain Cafe provides an ideal atmosphere for your dining experience. Serving what is coined as “Modern International Cuisine,” the award-winning Little Fountain Cafe uses “fresh ingredients to their best advantage” as stated in the Zagat Dining Survey. The corner of the dining room is occupied by a small fountain, which provides gentle ambiance so the love of your life can hear every word of your proposal.

Oya, 777 Ninth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, 202-684-8700, oyadc.com,‎provides an atmosphere that is as unique as the love two people share. The stunning Oya dining area consists of a floor-to-ceiling tower of seashells, an enchanting wall of water and a horizontal fireplace that will set the mood perfectly for your memorable evening. The menu provides a blend of Asian and French cuisine that marry perfectly with the sophisticated environment. Oya certainly provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable occasion.

Restaurant Nora, 2132 Florida Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, 202-462-5143, noras.com, provides an elegant dining experience with its intimate rooms that would be ideal for a proposal. Restaurant Nora was opened by its namesake Nora Pouillon in 1979. Pouillon was named one of the dozen “Power Chefs” in D.C. by the Washington Post and has been the recipient of several awards from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the Organic Trade Association, New Hope Natural Media, the American Horticultural Society and Campaign for Better Health, to name a few. The menu, which is comprised of organic new-American cuisine, changes daily and is fully reflective of Nora’s style of healthy organic food. The rooms in Restaurant Nora provide the perfect, intimate setting to consider when planning your special event.

The Blue Duck Tavern, located at the Park Hyatt Washington, 24th and M streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, 202-419-6755‎, blueducktavern.com, features a classically designed space with elegant touches of dark oak handcrafted wood furnishings. Guests of the Blue Duck Tavern are greeted by an open staff pantry and kitchen, a wood-burning oven, and the custom-designed commercial Molteni range, which was crafted in France and is the first of its kind in Washington, D.C. The time-honored dishes of American fare are prepared by executive chef Brian McBride and chef de cuisine Michael Santoro in the wood-burning oven, which is clearly the heart of the Blue Duck Tavern. For those who enjoy a distinctly American flavor, this would be the restaurant of choice for proposing to your loved one.

B. Hall Baker LLC,  611 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E. #286, Washington, D.C. 20003, 202-596-6611. When your partner accepts the proposal, you’ll need to celebrate over dessert and there’s no better engagement or Valentine’s Day treat than whoopie pies from B. Hall Baker.

FLORISTS

D.C. has no shortage of terrific local florists to meet your engagement needs. From simple red roses to accompany your proposal to reception hall centerpieces, the city’s florists are ready to spruce up your big day. Here’s a few of our favorites.

Elegance & Simplicity Inc., wedding planners and floral designers, 800-768-8814, 301-656-5560, [email protected], eleganceandsimplicity.com

Distinctive Floral Designs, 10805 Sycamore Springs Lane, Great Falls, VA 22066, 703-430-7268,
distinctivefloral.com

Palace Florists, Inc., 1305 19th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-833-1093, palaceflorists.com

Dupont Flowers, 1900 Q St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-797-7600
Floral Expressions, 1627 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-986-1000

Sandy’s Flowers, 1821 18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-232-4100

L&S Wholesale Florist, 1305 19th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-872-8747

Aster Florist, 1700 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-387-0092

A Little Shop of Flowers, 2421 18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-387-7255, alittleshopofflowers.net

Amaryllis, 1625 Eckington Place, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, 202-529-2230

Company Flowers, 2105 N. Pollard St., Arlington, VA 22207, 703-525-3063

ULTRA Violet, 1218 31st St., Washington, D.C. 20050, 202-333-3002

Allan Woods Flowers & Gifts, 2645 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, 202-332-3334

Related Topics:same-sex marriage Washington D.C.

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Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.

Arts & Entertainment

D.C. bars step up to offer discounts for fed’l employees

Deals, freebies, events, and happy hours galore

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2025

Evan Caplan

Bunker is offering free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

(Editor’s note: This list was compiled on Wednesday afternoon and is not meant to be comprehensive. If you would like to add your bar’s specials, please email [email protected].)

As the federal government comes to a standstill, the DMV restaurant and bar community has come to the aid of furloughed workers, who suddenly have plenty of time on their hands. More than a handful of spots are offering deals, discounts, freebies, events, and more. Many do require an identification to validate employment status. Plus, this shutdown looks like it’s here to stay for some time, so take advantage.

Franklin Hall: This sports bar on Florida Avenue is kicking off the shutdown hard: offering $6 Mixed Drinks, Canned Beers, and “furloughed Shooters” – as well as a free food buffet 4PM-6PM.

Carmine’s, located downtown, is offering steep discounts – $5 meatball sliders, and $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again” and “The Essential Worker.” Carmine’s specifically noted that the specials are open to all, not just affected workers.

Compass Coffee is offering a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street is offering a long happy hour – from 3 p.m. to close with wine specials, plus discounted fries and snacks.

Union Pub is providing steeply cheap beer ($3), alongside discounted hot dogs.

Two locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving up all-day happy hour at the bar, along with $2.50 oysters and a percent off checks for federal workers.

Boqueria DC is giving federal workers with ID happy hour pricing all day long: meaning cheaper sangria, wine, beer, and lots of tapas.

Osteria Morini in D.C. is offering a “Federal Employee Appreciation Special” with $15 pastas for federal employees; Cucina Morini has $10 “primi pastas.”

Duke’s Grocery is offering a complimentary drink: A free shot of bourbon or a glass of house wine when you buy any burger or entrée. Plus, there are $5 select beers.

Thompson Restaurants is offering all government employees 20% off their bill by showing a valid government ID. The offer spans 11 of Thompson’s restaurant brands and more than 65 locations across the DMV, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more.

Shaw’s Tavern: $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 Deep Eddy, $10 burger and pizza, with ID.

LGBTQ BARS

Crush: This bar is offering a “Pouring it forward” event with a free vodka hour, 10-11 p.m. this Friday.

Number Nine is offering $9 cocktails all night after 9 p.m.

Bunker has free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend.

District Eagle offers 30% off drinks for anyone with government, contractor, or military IDs this weekend.

Kiki has free Deep Eddy happy hour 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Her Diner offers all-night drink specials with ID.

Bars & Parties

Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16

Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

Published

6 months ago

May 8, 2025

Staff reports

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff (right) with Rep. Sarah McBride at the 2024 Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.

This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.