Bars & Parties
Calendar for June 4
Friday, June 4, to Thursday, June 10
Friday, June 4
RAW returns to the Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court N.W., from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. RAW is inspired by gay parties of the early 80s, filled with fog, strobe lights and throbbing music and features go-go boys and naughty performances. The hosts for the evening are Karl Marks and resident DJs, Shea and Bil. DJ Sirlinda will be the special guest DJ. Entry is free before 11 p.m., and $3 after that. 21 and over.
Reel Affirmations 20th Anniversary Celebration. One in Ten invites you to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Reel Affirmations. The celebration takes place at 7 p.m. at the home of Alison and Dan Masey, 1700 Kalorama Road, N.W. The suggested donation for this event is $100. RSVP to [email protected]. For more information visit oneinten.org.
Saturday, June 5
Special Friday night/Saturday Morning After Hours XXX CODE Event at The Crucible, 1816 Half Street S.W., from 2:30 a.m.-7 a.m. Strict CODE dress code enforced as always. $10 admission, music by DJs Bryan Yamasaki & C-Dubz.
Join the DC Center for a discussion of intimate partner violence with a focus on the LGBTQ youth and trans communities. Panelists for these partner organizations will provide insight on the signs and fallout of partner violence among the people they serve, as well as the services they provide to combat violence. The forum takes place at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community, 1810 14th Street, N.W.
Tom Goss and Jeremiah Clark are wrapping their 50-city tour with a performance at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. South, Arlington, Va., from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 but only $5 if you are a Freddie’s VIP (you can fill out the form day of) and free if you wear pajamas. That’s right — it’s pajama night at Freddie’s!
CODE, returns to EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St. N.W., for its monthly installment. Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Frank Wild. Admission is $10. Code is an 18+ event. There will be an open bar from 9-10.
Queering Sound 10, an annual staging of alternative sound, digital arts, and spoken word from LGBT, post-gender-identified, supportive, and queer artisans. Queering Sound, presented by Triangle Artists Group and DC Sonic Circuits, takes place at 7 p.m. at Pyramid Atlantic, 8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Performers include Arthur Loves Plastic, Michelle Webb, Nicholas Szczepanik, A.B. Miner, Insect Factory, Isnaj Dui, Dan Vera, Danielle Evennou, Blk w/Bear, VJ Poppins, Richard Chartier, Vlt, Blk, Soft Pieces, and Human Crochet Project.
Sunday, June 6
From 7 a.m.-4 p.m., DC Strokes Rowing Club hosts the 17th annual Stonewall Regatta. This year, the regatta will take place at Thompson Boat Center on the Potomac River. The Stonewall Regatta is a USRowing certified regatta. Athletes come from as far away as Toronto, Chicago, Boston and Denver to join our mid-Atlantic neighbors from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. Go to dcstrokes.org for more details.
If you and your partner are planning to wed in the DC Metropolitan area, then circle today on your calendar for a very special event. Pink Dot Concepts will premiere “Say I Do!” — the ultimate LGBT Wedding Expo — at the Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St., N.W., from 1-6 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit sayidoexpo.com.
Monday, June 7
Volunteer night at 6:30 p.m., at the DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W. Come for a chance to get involved with your local community center, and to check out the facility. Bring your friends and meet new ones. Activities may include updating the lending library, making safer sex kits, data entry, or anything else that needs to be done. Pizza and soda will be served.
The DCJCC will be hosting the D.C. premiere of Seth Rudetsky’s “Deconstructing Broadway” at 8 p.m. Sirius/XM Radio star and Broadway pianist Seth Rudetsky explores his own private audio/video collection in his one-man show, “Deconstructing Broadway.” With perfect comic timing, Rudetsky deconstructs what’s vocally amazing and what’s a vocal travesty. He has played piano for more than a dozen Broadway shows including “Ragtime” and “Les Miserables.” Rudetsky wrote for “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” was the vocal coach on MTV’s “Legally Blonde: Search for Elle Woods” and writes a weekly column at Playbill.com. The cost of the event is $15, $12 Washington DCJCC Members/Seniors/Students/Limited Income. Buy tickets at the JCC, or visit washingtondcjcc.org.
Tuesday, June 8
AltDCPride is proud to present CocoRosie starting at 9:30 p.m. The queer band will be gracing the Black Cat main stage, 1811 14th St., N.W., with their unique brand of ethereal, performance-infused rock.
Wednesday, June 9
POZ Wednesdays from 8 p.m.-12 a.m., upstairs at the Green Lantern, 1331 Green Ct., N.W. Music by DJ C-Dubz. $3 Grey Goose from 9-11 p.m.
Thursday, June 10
DCBiWomen, the area’s social group for bisexual and bicurious women, will meet at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. The group’s goal is to create an accepting, encouraging environment for bisexual women regardless of the gender of their partner or what they are looking for, meet other bi women and affirm the existence of the bi-identity. Bi-curious women are welcome. For more information visit dcbiwomen.org.
a&e features
Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more
With Christmas in the rear view mirror, we can turn our attention to ringing in a much-anticipated New Year with a slew of local LGBTQ parties. Here’s what’s on tap.
Pitchers
This spacious Adams Morgan bar is hosting the “Pitchers’ Perfect New Year’s Eve.” There will be a midnight Champagne toast, the ball drop on the big screens, and no cover, all night long. The bar doesn’t close until 4 a.m., and the kitchen will be open late (though not until close). All five floors will be open for the party, and party favors are promised.
Trade
D.C.’s hottest bar/club combo is leaning into the Shark motif with its NYE party, “Feeding Frenzy.” The party is a “glitterati-infused Naughty-cal New Year’s Even in the Shark Tank, where the boats are churning and the sharks are circling.” Trade also boasts no cover charge, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the aforementioned Shark Tank opening at 9 p.m.. Four DJs will be spread across the two spaces; midnight hostess is played by Vagenesis and the two sea sirens sensuously calling are Anathema and Justin Williams.
Number Nine
While Trade will have two DJs as part of one party, Number Nine will host two separate parties, one on each floor. The first floor is classic Number Nine, a more casual-style event with the countdown on TVs and a Champagne midnight toast. There will be no cover and doors open at 5 p.m. Upstairs will be hosted by Capital Sapphics for its second annual NYE gathering. Tickets (about $50) include a midnight Champagne toast, curated drink menu, sapphic DJ set by Rijak, and tarot readings by Yooji.
Crush
Crush will kick off NYE with a free drag bingo at 8 p.m. for the early birds. Post-bingo, there will be a cover for the rest of the evening, featuring two DJs. The cover ($20 limited pre-sale that includes line skip until 11 p.m.; $25 at the door after 9 p.m.) includes one free N/A or Crush, a Champagne toast, and party favors (“the legal kind”). More details on Eventbrite.
Bunker
This subterranean lair is hosting a NYE party entitled “Frosted & Fur: Aspen After Dark New Year’s Eve Celebration.” Arriety from Rupaul Season 15 is set to host, with International DJ Alex Lo. Doors open at 9 p.m. and close at 3 p.m.; there is a midnight Champagne toast. Cover is $25, plus an optional $99 all-you-can-drink package.
District Eagle
This leather-focused bar is hosting “Bulge” for its NYE party. Each District Eagle floor will have its own music and vibe. Doors run from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. and cover is $15. There will be a Champagne toast at midnight, as well as drink specials during the event.
Kiki, Shakiki
Kiki and its new sister bar program Shakiki (in the old Shakers space) will have the same type of party on New Year’s Eve. Both bars open their doors at 5 p.m. and stay open until closing time. Both will offer a Champagne toast at midnight. At Kiki, DJ Vodkatrina will play; at Shakiki, it’ll be DJ Alex Love. Kiki keeps the party going on New Year’s Day, opening at 2 p.m., to celebrate Kiki’s fourth anniversary. There will be a drag show at 6 p.m. and an early 2000s dance party 4-8 p.m.
Spark
This bar and its new menu of alcoholic and twin N/A drinks will host a NYE party with music by DJ Emerald Fox. Given this menu, there will be a complimentary toast at midnight, guests can choose either sparkling wine with or without alcohol. No cover, but Spark is also offering optional wristbands at the door for $35 open bar 11 p.m.-1 a.m. (mid-shelf liquor & all NA drinks).
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.
This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.
This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.
Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.
This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.
A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.
Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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