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Nightlife Guide

LGBT-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants in the D.C. area

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PUGB, gay news, Washington Blade

PUGB, nightlife guide, gay news, Washington BladeWASHINGTON, 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

club1722.com

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

Facebook.com

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.

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Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, April 17

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Saturday, April 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Sunday, April 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 20

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Tuesday, April 21

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Wednesday, April 22

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, April 23

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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Out & About

Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend

LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.

This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.

There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.

This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:

  • Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
  • Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
  • Champion Award – Dan Martin
  • Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
  • Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
  • Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club

To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website

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Television

‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation

Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA

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From left: Executive Producer R. Scott Gimmell, Noah Wyle, and Katherine LaNasa at PaleyFest LA 2026 honoring "The Pitt," presented by the Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on April 12, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Brian To)

As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.

“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”

Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”

Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”

Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.

“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”

The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.

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