Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Nightlife Guide

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

Published

on

Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

Published

on

D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo 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)

Continue Reading

a&e features

Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

Published

on

Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

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 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

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.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Continue Reading

Popular