Arts & Entertainment

Freddie’s purple reign

Va. gay bar/restaurant celebrates 10 years with month of festivities

Published

15 years ago

February 24, 2011

Freddie Lutz at his 60th birthday party in December. The gay entrepreneur has another milestone coming up — his bar turns 10. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant
555 So. 23rd St.
Arlington, Va.

Anniversary festivities:
8 p.m. Tuesday “Purple Party” — buffet and DJ Alicia
March 4 — Wicked Jezebel
March 5 — Saturday ‘Drag Diner’ buffet brunch
with Shelby Bottoms (Saturdays weekly)
$9.95 — 10 a.m.-3 p.m
Sunday champagne brunch
(Sundays weekly)
$19.95 – 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Freddie’s Follies Drag Show
with Destiny B. Childs (Sundays weekly)
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
March 8, 10 and 11 — WiseCRACK Disco Trivia
(Tuesday, Thursday, Friday weekly)
March 10 — “Dining Out For Life”
March 20 — “Mimi I’mFurst”
For details, go here or call 703-685-0555

Freddie Lutz knows what it takes to succeed as a restaurateur. But how to put it into words?

Certainly it’s that ineffable “je ne sais quoi” — that intuitive yet practical sense of how to succeed in the world of hospitality, as a purveyor of food and drink and good times. And it’s second nature to the man known to everyone simply as “Freddie.”

His is the motto for many who succeed — “excellence equals success.” In Lutz’s words, “They say if you make it past the first year, you’re doing good, but if you make it past the third year, you’re really doing good.”

However, the well-known rule of thumb in the restaurant industry is this sobering statistic: most new ones don’t make it much past one year. Therefore, Lutz says, “I guess if you make it past a decade, you’re doing fabulous.”

March is his 10th anniversary celebration month, starting Tuesday. He calls it “our purple party,” and it begins at 8 that night with a complimentary hors d’oeuvre buffet and an atmosphere of merriment with party favors. There is, as Freddie insists, “no cover charge” whatsoever,” because, he calls it “a big celebration, and everyone’s invited.”

“It’s a thank-you to the community,” he says, “for all their love and support over the last 10 years.” Lutz’s favorite color is purple, so that’s the theme.

Purple streamers deck the small stage — a mainstay for karaoke and drag shows, flanked by a white baby grand piano.

Lutz admits he borrowed — he calls it “artistic license” — the purple hue from elsewhere. He dubs it “royal purple” and says proudly, “I stole it from a diner in Key West, where I fell in love with it.” So back in Arlington, he immediately went to a Duron paint store, and found it.

But Tuesday’s kick-off party is just the beginning.

March 4 at 9 p.m., the lesbian band Wicked Jezebel will perform. Then on March 10, Lutz plans to give more back to the community, by, he says, “donating 110 percent of the proceeds” — not the profits, but the proceeds — of all sales that evening to Food and Friends’ “Dining Out For Life” fundraiser. March 20 brings the drag artist “Mimi I’mFurst,” well-known from “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.”

But Lutz is counting on staging more events. He’s planning them in concert with his general manager, his 24-year-old nephew Ryan, whom Lutz insists is straight, saying he is sort of like the young man Val — played by actor Dan Futterman in “The Birdcage.”

One touch of décor, of course, is Lutz’s sense of fashion style, through his own collection of colorful Hawaiian shirts — at first he simply estimates there are “a lot of them” in his closet, but then concedes that maybe it’s around 40. “Hey,” he says, “it’s a beach bar.”

Lutz also says that he has aimed to transplant the atmosphere of “The Birdcage” — set in Miami’s South Beach — to his place, with its “islandy feeling,” on 23rd Street in a commercial strip between Arlington Ridge and Crystal City. Its decor was spun through his own mixing bowl of styles. “I didn’t need to hire a decorator,” he says, “I pretty much did it myself, I guess my theme song is ‘I Did It My Way.'”

Lutz lives on Meade Street, near the restaurant in the old Lutz family home, with his partner of 13 years, Johnny Cervantes. It’s the same house where Lutz lived with his parents, from when he was age 3. He boasts a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Lutz just celebrated another landmark anniversary — his 60th birthday, on Dec. 3, with a big bash at the restaurant. Cervantes, meanwhile, only owns up to being “39-ish, again, but I never give out my age.” When interviewed, they had just returned from their second home — in Rehoboth Beach — and Cervantes’ fondness for his partner was palpable.

“With Freddie, what you see is what you get,” Cervantes says. “But it’s true,” adding that “it’s his honesty and his integrity,” plus, “he’s got so much energy.” In their relationship, Cervantes says, “he’s always the one who is willing to take the risks — and the only way I can describe him is as a free spirit, while also remaining respectful of everyone that he knows.”

“He doesn’t step on anyone’s toes. The bottom line is this, everybody loves Freddie, and Freddie loves everybody, whether in this neighborhood, in the business community, straight or gay.”

Cervantes says the secret of the success of the bar and restaurant is that Lutz has “great negotiating skills.”

Asked about that, Lutz acknowledges that when he started out a decade ago, after a 25-year career working down the street as manager and maitre’d at Cafe Italia, “I just wanted to see if I could do it myself, to see if I could make it happen, to create a gay bar and restaurant, but also — gay or not — to just see if I could do it on my own.”

Yes, he sees Freddie’s as “just one big, happy, dysfunctional family, with all the crazy drama that goes along with a gay bar, the intensity and all that, but this is important,” he adds, “the accent is on the word ‘happy,’ that’s definitely a key word.”

So yes, he feels “a great sense of accomplishment” now, to hit the 10-year mark.

Asked about the new LGBT bar in Northern Virginia, whether or not he feels any rivalry with the So Addictive Lounge at 733 Elden St. in Herndon, Lutz insists, “Absolutely not, in fact, I welcome it.”

He says there’s plenty of room in Northern Virginia for another gay bar. It’s managed by a former Freddie’s employee and they’ve talked about how they can help each other. Lutz sent flowers opening night. He got flowers in return.

When Lutz began 10 years ago, buying the location of the old Foxhole — he called it “a neighborhood, ‘Cheers’-type sports bar.” But then he started to change everything, he says, though they stayed open the whole time. Several of the Foxhole regulars hung around. He told them to hang on, the purple paint and redecorating were just part of “a work in progress,” a phrase he says still applies.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

a&e features

Local, last-minute holiday gift ideas

Celebrate the season while supporting area businesses

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Shreya Jyotishi

The DowntownDC Holiday Market is bustling. Union Station is decked out with its annual Christmas tree. Washingtonians have wrapped their houses and apartment balconies with festive lights and holiday decorations. The holiday season is here. And with stockings to fill and empty space under the tree, Washington’s local shops and artists have plenty to offer.

Show your LGBTQ and D.C. pride with the Washington Blade’s annual holiday gift guide.

To embrace the holiday buzz: The Blanco Nwèl cocktail from Alchy Cocktails. This Caribbean eggnog is one of Alchy Cocktail’s seasonal holiday cocktails. The flavor profile is similar to coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas drink with a coconut base. As a queer and Caribbean-owned business, Alchy Cocktails has been based out of Washington since 2021. Blanco Nwèl is available in both cocktail ($24) and mocktail ($12) online and at a variety of holiday markets, including the Tingey Plaza Holiday Market, the Flea Market at Eastern Market, Union Station’s Main Hall Holiday Market, and more. ($24)

A spicy bite: Gordy’s Cajun Okra from Salt and Sundry. These spicy, tangy pickles pull on Southern Cajun-style flavors, packing a punch with paprika, cayenne, and more. Gordy’s is an LGBTQ-owned and Washington-based brand, making this gift an opportunity to support a local LGBTQ business straight from the jar. This pantry staple is available on Salt & Sundry’s website and at its locations in Union Market, Logan Circle, and its Georgetown holiday pop-up store. ($14)

To celebrate Washington pride: The DC Landmark Tote Bag from The Neighborgoods. Native Washingtonians, visitors, friends and family alike will find something to love about this Washington-themed tote bag. Food trucks, the 9:30 Club, the Metro logo and pandas from the National Zoo are just some of the city’s landmarks depicted across the tote in a red, white, and blue color palette. The tote is a part of the DC Landmarks collection, which donates 10 percent of its sales to the American Civil Liberties Union. The Neighborgoods itself is a local, woman-owned business built out of a passion for screen-printing in 2013. The 100 percent cotton canvas tote is for sale online or at the DowntownDC Holiday Market. ($22)

To give friends and family their flowers: The Flowers Bandana from All Very Goods. This 100 percent cotton bandana was designed in Washington and hand printed in India. Its uniqueness comes in being covered with the faces of Black women, representing a “love letter to all women but especially Black women,” according to All Very Goods. The Black woman-owned and operated business, based out of Northwest Washington, has a mission to celebrate diversity and representation through its products. The bandana intends to give Black women their “flowers.” The Flowers bandana is available for purchase online. ($24)

To unlock culinary creativity: The Curious Chef Gift Collection from Each Peach Market. This customizable collection of kitchen oddities — ranging from tinned fish to chili oil — is a quirky gift for the most inventive chefs. The collection is available in a Standard Santa, Extra Goodies and Super Holiday Size for up to $165. The Washington-based market, founded in 2013, permits customers to make the collection special by specifying what unique ingredients are packaged, including products made by local or LGBTQ brands. Each Peach Market offers assembly and pick up in-person at its Mount Pleasant shop and also offers local delivery and nationwide shipping via its website. ($85)

To give a touch of sweetness: The DC Landmark Chocolate Covered Oreo Holiday Cookies from Capital Candy Jar. Wrapped in a festive red bow, this box of nine cookies embraces love for Washington and the holiday season in one. Among the dark and milk chocolate covered cookies are images of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and festive hollies. The treat, packaged in a Hill East facility just a few blocks from the Capitol, is available for purchase online and at the DowntownDC Holiday Market. ($23.95)

To celebrate queer gaming: Thirsty Sword Lesbians from Labyrinth Games & Puzzles. This roleplaying game embraces lesbian culture by unlocking a world of swords, romance, and battle. Ideal for group settings, the book presents a system of world building and character identities that are best brought to life by creative minds. Labyrinth, which has been a local Washington business for more than 15 years, celebrates non-digital fun through games and puzzles that connect the community. This gift is offered online and at Labyrinth’s Capitol Hill location. ($29.99)

To make a bold statement: The “Resist” T-shirt from Propper Topper. This locally screen-printed black tee features the Washington flag designed within a raised fist, symbolizing both Washington pride, and political resistance. The shirt is made exclusively by Propper Topper, a local Washington business that evolved from a hat shop to a gift store since opening in 1990. The tri-blend unisex shirt is available both for pickup at Propper Topper’s Cathedral Heights location and shipping via the online site. ($32)

To keep it c(g)lassy: The Glass Ball earrings from Blue Moon Aquarius. Gifting can rarely go wrong when it comes to a new pair of earrings. The unique statement earrings — made of polymer clay, glass, and 18k gold plating over surgical steel — are hand cut, sanded and assembled in Washington, meaning each set is unique. Blue Moon Aquarius, a local brand, is known for its small batch jewelry and home decor designed with clay materials. Available in oxblood, hunter green, lavender, and bluestone color palettes, these earrings are available for purchase on Blue Moon Aquarius’ website and at the DowntownDC Holiday Market. ($48)

To elevate a holiday tea or charcuterie party: The Honey Flight: Tea Lover’s Selection from BannerBee. This local honey company presents the ideal gift to make cozying up with a cup of tea slightly more special. The Honey Flight contains three types of raw wildflower honey infused with fair trade Ugandan vanilla bean, chai spices, and locally sourced lemon thyme herb. The gift is also an opportunity to uplift a family company based in the Mid-Atlantic that offers all-natural, sustainable products. The flight is available online, at the DowntownDC Holiday Market or at the Arlington Courthouse and Dupont Farmers’ Markets. ($36)

For Baltimore shoppers: If you’re in Charm City, don’t miss Balston Mercantile, opened by a gay couple in June. Their gorgeous shop in the Hampden neighborhood offers an array of unique, upscale finds, from barware and artwork to cookbooks and home decor and more. (849 W. 36th St.)

Photos

PHOTOS: 10’s Across the Board

Impulse Group DC holds anniversary celebration at Bravo Bravo

Published

3 days ago

December 17, 2025

Michael Key

Impulse Group DC's '10's Across the Board' party was held at Bravo Bravo on Sunday, Dec. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Impulse Group DC held “10’s Across the Board: A Celebration of 10 Years” at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, Dec. 14. Impulse Group DC is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) and affinity group of AIDS Healthcare Foundation dedicated “to engaging, supporting, and connecting gay men” through culturally relevant health and advocacy work.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Celebrity News

Rob Reiner, wife killed in LA home

Director was prominent LGBTQ ally

Published

5 days ago

December 15, 2025

Matt Minton

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Dinner on March 30, 2019. (Photo by kathclick/Bigstock)

Rob Reiner, most known for directing untouchable classics like “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” and “Stand by Me,” died Dec. 14 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles residence. While investigations are actively underway, sources have told PEOPLE Magazine that the pair’s son, Nick Reiner, killed his parents and has been taken into custody.

Reiner was a master of every genre, from the romantic comedy to the psychological thriller to the coming-of-age buddy movie. But in addition to his renowned work that made him a household name, Reiner is also remembered as a true advocate for the LGBTQ community. In 2009, Reiner and his wife co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, helping fight against California’s Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban. They were honored at the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas Gala.

In a statement, HRC President Kelley Robinson said: “The entire HRC family is devastated by the loss of Rob and Michele Reiner. Rob is nothing short of a legend — his television shows and films are a part of our American history and will continue to bring joy to millions of people across the world. Yet for all his accomplishments in Hollywood, Rob and Michele will most be remembered for their gigantic hearts, and their fierce support for the causes they believed in — including LGBTQ+ equality. So many in our movement remember how Rob and Michele organized their peers, brought strategists and lawyers together, and helped power landmark Supreme Court decisions that made marriage equality the law of the land — and they remained committed to the cause until their final days. The world is a darker place this morning without Rob and Michele — may they rest in power.”

Reiner’s frequent collaborators have also spoken out as the industry is in mourning, including figures like Ron Howard and John Cusack.

A joint statement from Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest (who starred in Reiner’s “This is Spinal Tap”) reads: “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage, and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”

While attending the 2019 HRC Los Angeles Dinner, Reiner spoke out about the need for equality: “We have to move past singling out transgender, LGBTQ, black, white, Jewish, Muslim, Latino. We have to get way past that and start accepting the idea that we’re all human beings. We’re all human beings, we all share the same planet, and we should all have the same rights, period. It’s no more complicated than that.”