Bars & Parties

Safe spaces

Local events producer fights HIV stigma with POZ parties

Published

16 years ago

May 13, 2010

Jacob Pring (front) with several local DJs who spin at his POZ D.C. parties. From left are Eric Evans, Ty Saifuddin, Jason Horswill, Erik Lars Evans, Bryan Yamasaki and Keith Hoffman. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Diversity is so much of a gay buzz word it’s almost a cliché but it’s genuinely reflected in the events of a local producer who says he was inspired by noticeable absences on the D.C. social scene.

“I just saw some holes in my life and decided to put my hat in the mix,” says 35-year-old Jacob Pring, a gay Philadelphia native who splits his time between Logan Circle and New York’s Hells Kitchen neighborhood.

After a false start last year, his Ruby Slipper Drag Brunch returns Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tabaq Bistro (1336 U St., N.W.). The second that ends, Pring will be at Town for a “Celebration of Life” tea dance (admission is $5). CODE, a gear fetish party with a strict dress code, is the first Saturday of every month at EFN Lounge (1318 9th St., N.W.). And Indigo is every Monday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., also at Tabaq on its glass-encased rooftop terrace.

But perhaps Pring’s signature event — or at least the one that’s generating the most community response — is POZ D.C., a weekly mixer at Green Lantern for HIV-positive gay men and those who support them. He does the same thing every Thursday in New York and has plans to “take it national.” Another incarnation debuts May 18 at the legendary Philadelphia gay bar Woody’s. Pring says Chicago is up next.

The idea came out of personal experience, says Pring, who has been HIV-positive for seven years.

“Every time I would meet people out, have a great evening, exchange phone numbers and then they would basically say, ‘Sorry, I can’t handle that,’ or ‘Have a good life, sorry.’ It’s really rude and obnoxious. … I wanted to create a positive environment for people who are positive and give them a safe place to go out and have fun.”

The community has been wholeheartedly supportive since Pring, an Air Force veteran who’s dabbled in mortgage banking, real estate, advertising and more, started it in November. It’s co-sponsored by the D.C. Center, D.C. Young POZ Socials, Hope D.C. and poziam.com. Pring says every bar he’s approached has been willing to host.

David Mariner, director of the D.C. Center, says POZ is more than a social event and provides an important service to local HIV-positive gay men.

“We know from the recent data that as many as 14 percent of the MSMs in the District and over 20 percent of MSMs of color are positive and about 40 percent of them don’t even know their status,” Mariner says. “So for me it’s really important for us to create spaces where people can be out and open about their HIV status where as a community we can talk about it and address it. Plus, you know, everyone deserves a safe space to hang out, to be comfortable. That’s what Jacob’s doing and I think it’s wonderful.”

CODE, which Pring calls a “new age leather party,” has been the bigger draw. It averages about 150 each month and costs $10 (Pring says he’s unfazed by turning people away who don’t follow the dress code). POZ, though, which attracts anywhere from 30 to 100 each week, offers a completely different vibe. The DJs who spin there are openly HIV-positive and say a sense of camaraderie is developing.

“It’s a little more relaxed,” says Eric Evans, a Silver Spring, Md., resident who spins for Pring. “People talk more, get to know each other a little better. There’s a sense of community developing.”

Several POZ DJs say anti-HIV stigma in gay dating and hook-up circles can be significant.

“Oh, if I had to guess a percentage of OK, not OK, I’d say 60 percent are not OK and maybe 40 percent are OK,” says Erik Lars Evans, another POZ DJ who uses his middle name to avoid confusion with the previously quoted Eric Evans. “To a certain degree, yes, it does affect dating and your social life. It’s not always an issue but it certainly can be.”

Keith Hoffman, who’s known Pring since the late ’90s when Hoffman worked at Velvet Nation, says it’s not about serosorting or hooking up.

“Just because somebody’s there doesn’t necessarily mean they’re positive,” he says. “We don’t have Whitman-Walker there testing at the door. It’s for people who are positive or for those who don’t have issues with dating or sleeping with positive guys. It’s not about having promiscuous, unprotected sex. It’s about acceptance. That’s kind of what we’re aiming for.”

Pring knows one couple who met at POZ and started dating. Hoffman says he’s been surprised at times by who he’s seen there.

“There’s a guy I know and had no idea,” Hoffman says. “Kind of a friend of a friend and I’d always found him attractive and nice but never really connected with. And goddamn it, he showed up Wednesday. I was like, ‘So are you?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I thought you knew.’ I didn’t know. It’s not tattooed on your forehead. But yeah, it’s been really refreshing.”

But is the concept of segregating HIV-positive guys a healthy thing? Bryan Yamasaki, another DJ who spins for Pring, says yes.

“I think it’s a necessary safe space,” says Yamasaki, who tested positive two years ago. “Mentally, spiritually, gay men can put you down as damaged goods. Some people, it’s like pulling teeth to get them to talk, but here you don’t have to worry about it. You can talk. There’s a lot of people who care.”

POZ D.C.
An HIV-positive party for those with HIV and those who are supportive
Every Wednesday
8 p.m. to midnight
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court N.W.
www.jacobpring.com (coming soon)

Related Topics:local gay news Poz D.C.Washington Blade

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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.