Bars & Parties

Meet the queen of free D.C.

Blogger helps locals find free or cheap area events

Published

15 years ago

July 29, 2010

There are more than a dozen yoga studios throughout the metro area that offer free, low-cost or pay-what-you-can classes. More than five locations that project free movies outdoors throughout the summer. And at least three days per week, every week, professional musicians and actors at venues across the city play for free for those lucky enough to know where.

How to find out where, exactly?

Follow Amy B. Melrose, the founder and sole blogger of the site “Free in D.C.,” on Twitter.

Or become her fan on Facebook.

Or find her highly trafficked, searchable site with Google.

Melrose provides many options to find the event information she aggregates. For free, of course.

The energetic, quick-tongued Melrose spends more than 20 hours per week sifting through online invitations, e-mails and paper fliers looking for events that fulfill her criteria: the event is in the D.C.-metro region, costs less than $10 and is accessible by public transportation.

And to make the cut an event must be “funky,” a loose term that encompasses think-tank lectures, art exhibits and “Kostume Karaoke.”

“Somebody cared enough to offer the event. Somebody cared enough to create a sign or invitation for it. And I care enough to post it so people know about it,” Melrose said in an interview. Melrose is in her mid-30s and works part-time as a freelance new media marketing consultant.

Melrose’s self-described blog “baby” was born in October 2007, while Melrose was between jobs, after a few glasses of wine during a birthday party.

“‘You always know all of the cool stuff going on. You should just start a blog,’” Melrose said her friends told her that night.

Over the prior five years she had fleetingly thought about creating a website that listed inexpensive events in the District, but a lack of time and computer skills inhibited her from actually starting.

That night, after the revelry ended, a friend created a blogger template for Melrose.

“It was the kick in the butt I needed to get things going,” said Melrose. Melrose still uses the original template her friend created for the site, which averages about 800 unique visitors per weekday.

When Melrose started the site, most of the events she posted came to her by bills posted in coffee shops, bulletin boards outside restaurant bathrooms, hyper-local newspapers and word-of-mouth.

Today about half of the events she posts come to her as Facebook invitations. On Saturday, she had 58 invites sitting in her inbox, waiting to be reviewed for posting.

Melrose, a native of Philadelphia, moved to the District in 1993 as a transfer student to George Washington University, where she majored in psychology and worked at the university’s Lisner Auditorium.

She did not plan to stay in Washington after graduation, but the city’s accessible culture had her hooked.

“You don’t have to be 21, have a car, or have a lot of money” to take advantage of D.C.’s culture and recreation, Melrose said.

Melrose compiles her blog with newcomers and tourists in mind.

“I write it with the idea that the stork just dropped [readers] in D.C. and there’s everything on my site they need [to find entertainment]: location, price and directions,” Melrose said.

In addition to her blog, Twitter feed and Facebook updates, Melrose posts twice weekly on ReadysetDC and occasionally on Borderstan. Melrose has also entered into an agreement with WashingtonCityPaper.com for a weekly feature column.

Melrose sees her passion for collecting and distilling inexpensive, accessible events as a community service.

“I do the work, put these events into a digestible format, so that other people don’t have to,” Melrose said. “People expect information to find them now.”

But the amount of time she spends finding, posting and confirming the facts of events has led her to ask for donations from users via PayPal. In addition, Melrose now has several local businesses sponsoring her site with small advertisements on the page margins.

Melrose is also, somewhat jokingly, looking for an unpaid intern. She can be contacted through her website, freeindc.blogspot.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/FreeinDC or via Twitter at twitter.com/FreeinDCBlog.

a&e features

Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties

Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more

Published

2 weeks ago

December 26, 2025

Evan Caplan

Trade leans into a shark motif with its NYE plans. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

4 weeks 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

1 month 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.