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Bars & Parties

Calendar: Feb. 21-27

Parties, support groups, performances and more for the week ahead

Published

12 years ago

on

calendar, Mark Evans, Book of Mormon, gay news, Washington Blade
calendar, Mark Evans, Book of Mormon, gay news, Washington Blade

Mark Evans in ‘Book of Mormon,’ which opens next week in Baltimore. (Photo by Joan Marcus; courtesy Broadway Across America)

Events calendar for the week ahead.

Friday, Feb. 21

Katzen Arts Center (4400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.) presents “RENT” tonight at 8 p.m. It runs through March 1st. The musical is set during the AIDS epidemic in New York City and follows a group of young bohemian artists, including a drag queen, a lesbian couple and a gay couple, as they fight against their capitalist landlord who wants to make changes to their neighborhood. Tickets are $15. For more details, visit american.edu/cas/auarts.

Ziegfeld’s Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) hosts its fifth year anniversary party with adult entertainment star Angel Rock tonight at 9 p.m. There will be special events on both floors all night. Music by DJ Steve Henderson and a special laser show by John Klaja. For details, visit secretsdc.com.

Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The facilitated group discussion covers building understanding of gay culture and personal identity and awareness of community events for LGBT men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit thedccenter.org or gaydistrict.org.

Saturday, Feb. 22

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) tonight from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables and pack groceries. To volunteer, email [email protected]. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Town  (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “Bear Invasions: SCRUFF’D UP,” hosted by Johnny Scruff, tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11 p.m. Drinks are $3 before 11 p.m. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “CTRLympics Closing Ceremonies” tonight from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Enjoy $3 PBR Tallboys, $5 rail drinks and $4 Fireball shots. Music by DJs Jeff Prior and Adam Kousarri-Amin. There will be a special Olympics competition. Cover is $5. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts a free relationship workshop for lesbian couples today from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This workshop is led by professional relationship coach Jayne Kelly and focuses on family. Bring your lunch and learn how to address spoken and unspoken needs and how to strengthen your bond with your partner for a healthy family. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Sunday, Feb. 23

“Music with the Angels” concert series presents “Vocal and Instrumental Music of the 20th Century” at Church of the Holy City (1611 16th St. N.W.) today at 3 p.m. There will be musical performances and poetry readings. Reception follows. Admission is free but donations to the Organ Fund are appreciated. For details, visit churchoftheholycity.org.

Adventuring, an LGBT outdoors club, hosts a C&O at Seneca Quarries hike this morning at 10 a.m. The walk goes through 19th century industrial ruins, including Rowsers Ford and Riley’s Lock, in the Washington area. Lunch will be near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct. Bring beverages, lunch, boots and $6 for transportation fees. Meet at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station (10300 Rockville Pk., Bethesda, Md.) on the red line. For details, visit adventuring.org.

Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a drag brunch today with two shows at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Monday, Feb. 24

SAGE Metro D.C. and AARP D.C. present a screening of “The New Black” at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The documentary focuses on how the African-American community is dealing with the gay rights issue by examining the black church and documenting activists, families and clergies on both sides of the debate. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

“Allied in Greek,” an amateur drag competition and Trevor Project fundraiser, has been rescheduled for tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st Street, N.W.) after snow forced a postponement two weeks ago. Allied in Pride, the George Washington University LGBT student advocacy organization, and the GW Greek Community are joining efforts on the event which will feature contestants in drag who will lip sync to a song. Chanel Devereaux, a local drag queen, will be on the judging panel. Half of the proceeds will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets are $5 general admission. Find out more by searching for “Allied in Greek” on Facebook.

Tuesday, Feb. 25

Tony Award-winning musical “Book of Mormon,” a satirical comedy about two Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda, opens at the Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (12 N Eutaw St., Baltimore) tonight at 8 p.m. and continues through March 9. Tickets range from $43.55-$199.85. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit baltimore.broadway.com.

The D.C. Center and Pros in the City host speed dating for gay men at the Navy Yards Boilermaker Building (300 Tingey St., S.E.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. Dating is approximately one hour. After enjoy a mixer with fellow speed daters. Cash bar. Check in is at 7 p.m. and dating begins at 7:20 p.m. Cost is $30. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Genderqueer D.C. holds a discussion group at The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..)  at 7 p.m. tonight. The group is for anyone who identifies outside of the gender binary . For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Revel hosts a queer women’s “#BeachLife” happy hour at VeraCruz Gallery (2108 Vermont Ave., N.W.) this evening at 6 p.m. Enjoy Caribbean décor and drink specials. The first 20 guests receive a free pair of sunglasses. Mautner Project, a women’s health organization, will join to share information on women’s wellness, fitness and health care options.

Wednesday, Feb. 26

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.

The D.C. Center and Pros in the City host speed dating for lesbian and bisexual women at the Navy Yards Boilermaker Building (300 Tingey St., S.E.)  tonight from 7-9 p.m. Dating is approximately one hour. After enjoy a mixer with fellow speed daters. Cash bar. Check in is at 7 p.m. and dating begins at 7:20 p.m. Cost is $30. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Thursday, Feb. 27

Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) hold a meeting at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. GLOV works to reduce violence against LGBT individuals through community outreach, education and assisting members of anti-LGBT violence. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Whitman Walker provides free and confidential HIV testing at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., N.E.) tonight from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts “Café SMYAL,” a fun event to get out of the cold, today from 4-5 p.m. Drink hot cocoa, play board games and make new friends. For more information, visit smyal.org.

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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

on

December 26, 2025

By

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). 

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Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

4 weeks ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

(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. 

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Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

Published

1 month ago

on

November 28, 2025

By

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. 

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