Arts & Entertainment
Nightlife Guide
LGBT-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants in the D.C. area
WASHINGTON, DC
30 Degrees
[map]
1639 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-462-6569
In Dupont Circle area; popular with men but check schedule for other events.
Annie’s
[map]
1609 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-0395
In Dupont Circle area; popular longtime restaurant and steakhouse with recently renovated Upstairs Lounge.
Bachelor’s Mill
[map]
1104 8th St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-544-1931
Longtime bar popular with African-American men in Capitol Hill area.
Banana Café
[map]
500 8th St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-5906
bananacafedc.com
Popular Capitol Hill area restaurant and bar (Eastern Market Metro) for both men and women. Features Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine.
Cobalt
[map]
1639 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-462-6569
cobaltdc.com
In Dupont Circle area; part of complex of LGBT businesses at this address, including Level One restaurant on street level and 30 Degrees bar.
Crew Club
[map]
1321 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-319-1333
crewclub.net
Men’s 24-hour gym in Logan Circle area, featuring steam rooms, lounges, private dressing rooms and more.
DC Eagle
3701 Benning Road NE
Washington, DC 20019
202-347-6025
dceagle.com
The popular Levi/leather bar’s origins date to the 1960s. Features billiards, regular tournaments and other special events.
DIK Bar
[map]
1637 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-328-0100
dupontitaliankitchen.com
In Dupont Circle area, above Dupont Italian Kitchen.
Duplex Diner
[map]
2004 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-265-9599
duplexdiner.com
Popular restaurant and bar in the Adams Morgan area; happy hour specials and many other special events. See web site for updated schedule.
Fireplace
[map]
2161 P St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-293-1293
In Dupont Circle area; neighborhood bar popular with men.
Green Lantern
[map]
1335 Green Court, NW
Washington, DC 20005
greenlanterndc.com
twitter.com/greenlanterndc
Friendly bar for men hosts regular happy hours and special events, including karaoke and shirtless drink special nights. Check web site for details. McPherson Square Metro.
 JR.’s
[map]
1519 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-328-0090
jrswdc.com
Longtime friendly Dupont Circle area bar popular with men; videos, regular special events.
 Larry’s Lounge
[map]
1836 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-483-1483
Dupont Circle area bar and restaurant popular with both men and women.
Nellie’s Sports Bar
[map]
900 U St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-332-6355
nelliessportsbar.com
Sports bar featuring poker events, drag bingo, trivia contests and other specials. Popular bar with massive outdoor deck and plenty of TVs for watching sports.
Town Danceboutique
[map]
2009 8th St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-234-TOWN
towndc.com
Dance club and bar popular with men and women, features regular drag performances. U Street Metro.
Ultra bar
[map]
911 F St., NW
Washington, DC 20004
ultrabardc.com
twitter.com/UltraBar
Large dance club with gay-friendly events and vibe located downtown near Metro Center.
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets
[map]
1824 Half St., SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-863-0670
secretsdc.com
Featuring all-nude male dancers Wednesdays-Sundays, drag performances, large dance floor and many regular special events, contests and more. Large parking lot available; located in Buzzard’s Point warehouse district.
BALTIMORE
1722
[map]
1722 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Multi-level after-hours dance club attracts a mixed crowd but remains gay-friendly.
Drinkery
[map]
205 W. Read St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-225-3100
Another of Baltimore’s friendly neighborhood bars in Mount Vernon featuring billiards, jukebox and welcoming service.
Gallery
[map]
1735 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-539-6965
Longtime bar and restaurant popular with African-American clientele.
Grand Central
[map]
1001 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-752-7133
centralstationpub.com
Large entertainment complex featuring friendly pub, lesbian bar Sappho’s upstairs and a dance club on the first floor.
Sapphos
[map]
1001 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-752-7133
centralstationpub.com
Part of the Grand Central complex, Sappho’s attracts a lesbian crowd and offers comfy couches, outdoor patio and more in its second floor location.
ARLINGTON, VA
Freddie’s Beach Bar
[map]
555 23rd St. South
Arlington, VA 22202
703-685-0555
Freddie Lutz’s Virginia establishment includes a restaurant and friendly bar, regular specials and is popular with men and women. Crystal City Metro.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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