Bars & Parties

Cornhole for charity at Nellie’s

‘It’s a fun game’

Published

15 years ago

July 15, 2010

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host a charity cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday. The event, organized by Michael Graham, will benefit a scholarship fund created in memory of his cousin, Nikki Yoder, an elementary school teacher who died nine years ago from cancer.

Yoder graduated from Montrose Area High School in Pennsylvania. The scholarship is awarded to a student from her alma mater who is pursuing a career in education, has a need for financial aid, and demonstrates the same “personal qualities and commitment to making a difference” that Yoder displayed.

According to the letter that goes along with the scholarship application, Yoder was “committed to making a difference in each student’s life and helping each student reach their highest potential.”

Yoder worked to make a difference by “applying her own personal qualities of generosity, unselfishness, a positive attitude, and love of children.”

Graham, a gay D.C. resident, hosts an annual golf tournament benefit at his parents’ home but this year decided he wanted to do something different.

The event was originally planned as just a fun night out with friends.

“The owners of Nellie’s suggested I open it to the public,” Graham said. And so he did.

But why cornhole and what is it?

According to the American Cornhole Association, cornhole, sometimes called beanbag toss, is similar to horseshoes except players use wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and corn-filled bags instead of metal stakes and horseshoes.

Graham chose cornhole because it is easy to set up.

“It’s a fun game,” he said. “Pretty much anybody can play and I thought it would be cool to play on the rooftop.”

Cornhole is played and scored a lot like horseshoes. It can be played as doubles or singles. In doubles play, one member of each team pitches from one cornhole platform and the other members pitch from the other platform. In singles play, both contestants pitch from the same cornhole platform.

Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the platform until a contestant or a two-person team reaches a score of 21. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform, or in-the-count, scores 1 point.

To pre-register, e-mail Graham at [email protected] and make sure to include a team name, individual players’ names and a contact phone number.

Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

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

Published

3 weeks ago

November 28, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Thurst Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

2 months ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.