Bars & Parties

Wedding receptions with style

Published

14 years ago

February 19, 2010

You’ve popped the question, walked the aisle and now it’s time to pop the Champagne. But where to hold your reception on the big day in D.C.?

If you’re looking for a hotel ballroom, the city offers plenty of options, from traditional to trendy. There are a few things to keep in mind when considering hotel reception spaces.

Find out how many events your location of choice holds so you can be sure you won’t be hurried out once your allotted time is over. Map out the spaces for your special moments like the first dance, the wedding cake cutting, seating, etc., and make sure there is enough space to accommodate your guests. If you are using the in-house caterer make sure the kitchen is equipped for any special menu items you may have planned. Some hotels have decor restrictions, so make sure you ask about furniture rearranging and ask to see photos of prior wedding receptions to inspire a few ideas.

Below are just a handful of area hotels ready to host same-sex wedding receptions when gay nuptials become legal, which is expected to happen in early March.

The Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., has wedding planning down to a science. From invitations and wedding cakes to spa and beauty services, the Four Seasons can help ease the stress of planning a wedding. With original wedding packages or a package of your own design, the wedding consultants offer their expert assistance so you can enjoy your day with confidence. The Four Seasons features a sunlit, sophisticated space that occupies more than 13,400 square feet, including a terrace overlooking the C&O Canal.

The Madison, a Loews Hotel, 1177 15th St., N.W., is ready to help make memories that last a lifetime. The Madison recently added 1,500 square feet of new banquet space, which has created a total space of 12,000 square feet that will accommodate most any guest list. The expert event planners will help create the wedding of your dreams, along with amenities such as a fitness center and spa services to cater to your every need.

W Hotel, 515 15th St., N.W., “where historic Italian Renaissance meets modern cool” offers 12,000 square feet of event space that will make your wedding nothing less than spectacular. The Altitude, the rooftop ballroom at the W, would be a perfect location with its gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a backdrop of the nation’s most important landmarks. The expert event planners will work magic so your wedding day wishes come true in style.

Founded in 1981, the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants that are acknowledged as an industry pioneer and leaders in the boutique hotel concept. The Kimpton Hotel Group occupies five locations in the Dupont and Logan Circle areas plus two additional locations within sight of the National Mall and the U.S. Capital. For a truly memorable wedding experience consider Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St., N.W. The Hotel Palomar is urban art gallery meets chic boutique hotel that will amaze your guests. The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of reception space, including the ultra stylish Phillips Room, named for the nearby Phillips Collection. The Phillips Room can accommodate up to 300 guests.

Other national hotel chains are also catering to same-sex couples in Washington. The Marriott and Renaissance Hotel chains offer 10 properties in the area, including the historic Mayflower. For a list of Marriott’s area hotels and information on booking a reception, visit dcmarriottweddings.com.

Other friendly options to consider when looking for reception space:

The Fairmont
2401 M St., N.W.
202-429-2400
fairmont.com/washington

The Fairfax at Embassy Row
2100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
202-293-2100
starwoodhotels.com

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Bars & Parties

Support HIV research with a drag show

Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure, TrevHER to perform

Published

2 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Tara Hoot performs at Cherry Sundays on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.

Bars & Parties

MAL kicks off Jan. 11 with Bootcamp

Mid-Atlantic Leather begins with party at Bunker

Published

3 months ago

January 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

MAL Weekend kicks off next week. (Image courtesy of Bunker)

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.

Bars & Parties

A roundup of New Year’s Eve parties in D.C.

Celebrate the start of 2024 in style

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

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.