Bars & Parties

Mixing business with pleasure

Published

16 years ago

April 1, 2010

For many LGBT activists, the most efficient way to get an up-to-the-minute handle on the state of the gay rights movement — and also have some fun mingling — is the annual Equality Forum, always in Philadelphia and slated for April 26 to May 2. With about 50,000 in attendance, organizers say it’s the largest gay civil rights forum in the world.

“It’s really the one location where all our major issues are discussed and it really brings together literally all the major and preeminent movement leaders and we’re very proud of the fact that there’s no registration fee and so many of the programs are free,” says Malcolm Lazin, the Forum’s executive director and one of its founders.

The International Equality Dinner, the event’s central event which is slated for May 1 at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, will feature an especially heady list of honorees this year. David Boies and Ted Olson, the straight attorneys working to have California’s Prop 8 overturned, will receive a role model award. CNN’s Tony Maddox will pick up a business leadership award on behalf of the network. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Pennsylvania’s Gov. Ed Rendell and Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley are scheduled to attend. Several leaders from national gay rights groups will also be there representing some of the movement’s most influential players. Dan Choi, an officer in the U.S. Army facing discharge because of his outspoken gay rights activism, is also scheduled to attend.

Past honorees have included straight allies like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and New Mexico’s Gov. Bill Richardson and lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova.

“We’ve always honored folks who’ve been on the cutting edge of our movement and folks who perhaps when they step forward, weren’t always as appreciated by our community but we believed in what they were advancing,” Lazin says.

The Forum also promises seven days of panels and parties. The highlight, organizers say, will be SundayOUT! at the Piazza & Liberties Walk on May 2, which is a seven-hour street festival slated for Philly’s newly revived Northern Liberties area, an old brewery that’s been dubbed “the Piazza.”

No registration is required. Except for the dinner, where tickets run $200, most events cost between $5 and $10. Panel discussions are free. Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is the official Forum hotel.

Organizers say a must-see event is the Brian Sanders Dance Tribute on April 30 at Merriam Theater. The 11th annual Gay and Lesbian Art Exhibit will feature the works of photographers Richard Renaldi and Marc Yankus. A panel featuring appointees of President Obama will highlight the visibility of LGBT people in this administration. Two new LGBT-themed documentary films will be shown and nine parties are scheduled. Visit equalityforum.com for a complete schedule of events.

Judd Proctor, a Richmond, Va., resident who produces LGBT history radio show “The Rainbow Minute,” attends the Forum annually and says he finds the experience enriching.

“There’s a little bit of something for everyone who attends,” he says. “I especially enjoy the evening panels based on current LGBT topics. They always have activists and people in the know and the Q&A sessions give attendees a chance to participate and meet leading experts and activists nationwide.”

Bruce Yelk, who heads the gay division of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, the city’s marketing arm for leisure tourism, works with the Forum to help promote its events and coalesce its offerings with other aspects of gay Philadelphia which, Yelk says, has become one of the East Coast’s most gay-friendly cities.

“We have a very strong community,” Yelk says. “I don’t know if anybody has a number other than the traditional 10 percent [for LGBTs]. We’re not a Ft. Lauderdale or a Miami, not a resort destination, but a traveler who has gone to the traditional beach resorts and really wants a more sophisticated sort of vacation, with great museums, we have a lot of that. It’s hard to compare to New York, but we do offer lots of arts and culture here. Also our gayborhood is right in the heart of the city. You don’t have to get on a train and travel 25 minutes from where all the tourists would be.”

The Equality Forum is just one of 10 gay events scheduled for spring in the city. Mr. Gay Philadelphia, a celebrity-judged pageant, is April 17 at Voyeur Nighclub. Also that week is Philadelphia Black Gay Pride. Every Saturday in May is the Frontrunners Philly Fun Run and a Pride event in nearby New Hope, Pa., in Bucks County (May 13 to 16). And the Liberty Bell Classic, the city’s largest LGBT sporting event, hosts a weekend of softball competitions at the end of May (go to visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com for more information). Philly Gay Pride is June 13. QFest, Philly’s gay film festival, is July 8 to 19.

And if you haven’t been to the City of Brotherly Love in a few years, some aspects of nightlife have changed. Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar, which opened this month at 200 South 12th St., is the newest space. Several others, including Voyeur Nightclub at 1221 St. James St. (formerly Pure), Q Lounge and Kitchen at 1234 Locust St. (formerly Bump) and Westbury Bar and Restaurant at 261 South 13th St., have had major renovations. JR’s Lounge (no connection to Washington’s JR.’s) opened about six months ago at 1305 Locust St. It was formerly Camac Bar. Yelk says the pizza there is first rate.

And speaking of food, a couple new gay restaurants are also worth checking out, Yelk says. Look for Sampan (sampanphilly.com) at 124 South 13th St.; Chifa (chifarestaurant.com), the latest from superstar chef Jose Garces at 707 Chestnut St.; and nearby Knock Restaurant and Bar (knockphilly.com) at 225 South 12th St., which Yelk says is the best place to go for Friday night happy hour.

Related Topics:Bob Casey Dan Choi David Boies Ed Rendell Equality Forum Malcolm Lazin Martin O'Malley Philadelphia Ted Olson Tony Maddox

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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.