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Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Nightlife

Winners from the Blade’s readers poll

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To see the winners of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers poll in other categories, click here.

Best Outside-the-District Bar

Freddie’s Beach Bar

nightlife

Freddie’s Beach Bar (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

555 23rd St.

South Arlington, Va.

703-685-0555

freddiesbeachbar.com

Runner-up: Club Hippo

Baltimore

Best Rehoboth Bar

Blue Moon

Runner-up: Purple Parrot

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)

After more than 30 years of entertaining crowds of tourists and locals alike, the Blue Moon is an iconic presence on Baltimore Avenue. The restaurant side of the building serves up some of the best food in town, while the bar side is busy year round. From the friendly bartenders — Matt, Chandler, Rich and others — to the lineup of entertainment, which includes Cashetta, Mona Lotts and, of course, the Queen of Rehoboth, Pamala Stanley, there’s always an energetic and welcoming vibe at the Moon. (KN)

Blue Moon

35 Baltimore Ave.

302-227-6515

bluemoonrehoboth.com

Best Happy Hour

Bear Happy Hour at Town

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Bear Happy Hour at Town Danceboutique (Washington Blade photo by Jon Wooten)

Fridays from 6-10 p.m.

Town Danceboutique

2009 8th St., N.W.

202-234-8696

towndc.com

Runner-up: Nellie’s Sports Bar

Best Place to Meet Men

Nellie’s Sports Bar

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Nellie’s Sports Bar (Washington Blade photo by Lee Whitman)

900 U St., N.W.

202-332-6355

nelliessportsbar.com

Runner-up: JR.’s

Best Drag Show

Ladies of Town

Runner-up: D.C. Kings

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Ladies of Town (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Ladies of Town perform cabaret style every Friday and Saturday night downstairs at 10:30 p.m. and feature many of the most well-known and established drag queens in the D.C. area. The cast is Lena Lett, Shi-Queeta-Lee, Ba’Naka, Tatianna and Epiphany B. Lee. The Ladies of Town also won this award in 2008, 2011 and 2012. (JD)

Town Danceboutique

2009 8th St. N.W.

202-234-8696

towndc.com

 

Best Place to Meet Women

Phase 1

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Phase 1 (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)

525 8th St. S.E.

202-544-6831

phase1dc.com

Runner-up: Ladies Tea at Hank’s Oyster Bar

Best Gay-Friendly Straight Bar

Dacha Beer Garden

Runner-up: Stoney’s

 

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Dacha Beer Garden (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Beer lovers rejoice. This beer garden, located in the Shaw neighborhood, is perfect for expanding your beer palate. If you’re feeling adventurous you can even order a boot of beer — exactly what the name suggests. (MC)

Dacha Beer Garden

1600 7th St., N.W.

202-524-8790

Best Live Music

9:30 Club

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

9:30 Club (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

815 V St. N.W.

202-265-0930

930.com

Runner-up: Black Cat

Best Neighborhood Bar

JR.’s

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

JR.’s (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)

1519 17th St., N.W.

202-328-0090

jrsbar-dc.com

Runner-up: Nellie’s Sports Bar

Best Men’s Party

Mixtape

Runner-up: Bear Happy Hour at Town

 

nightlife, gay news, Washington Blade

Mixtape (Photo by David Claypool | kaloramaphoto.com)

Mixtape, which celebrated its sixth anniversary last month, wins this category again this year after last winning in 2012. The monthly dance party, where DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer spin “anything you can dance to” has its third annual Mixtape Halloween Bash Oct. 31 at the Howard Theatre (620 T St. N.W.). Doors open at midnight and tickets are $10. (JD)

Mixtape

Locations vary

mixtapedc.com

 

Best Women’s Party

Phasefest

Runner-up: Bare by LURe

Phasefest, gay news, Washington Blade

Phasefest (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)

Best Alt Party

GAY/BASH!

The Black Cat

1811 14th St., N.W.

Joshua Vogelsong, GAY/BASH!, Black Cat, gay news, Washington Blade

Joshua Vogelsong of GAY/BASH! (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Next event is Halloween Freak Show Saturday night, a queer night of rock and pop gems with DJs Dean Sullivan and Josh Vogelsong and performances by Heidi Glum and Rumor Millz. Doors open 10 p.m. Cover is $5. Tickets available at the door or at blackcatdc.com. GAY/BASH! also won this prize last year. (JD)

Runner-up: Otter Crossing

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Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.

A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.

The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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a&e features

Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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