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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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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

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.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

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