Arts & Entertainment
Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Nightlife
Winners from the Blade’s readers poll
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
Freddie’s Beach Bar (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
555 23rd St.
South Arlington, Va.
703-685-0555
Runner-up: Club Hippo
Baltimore
Best Rehoboth Bar
Blue Moon
Runner-up: Purple Parrot
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
Best Happy Hour
Bear Happy Hour at Town
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
Runner-up: Nellie’s Sports Bar
Best Place to Meet Men
Nellie’s Sports Bar
Nellie’s Sports Bar (Washington Blade photo by Lee Whitman)
900 U St., N.W.
202-332-6355
Runner-up: JR.’s
Best Drag Show
Ladies of Town
Runner-up: D.C. Kings
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
Best Place to Meet Women
Phase 1
Phase 1 (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
525 8th St. S.E.
202-544-6831
Runner-up: Ladies Tea at Hank’s Oyster Bar
Best Gay-Friendly Straight Bar
Dacha Beer Garden
Runner-up: Stoney’s
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
9:30 Club (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
815 V St. N.W.
202-265-0930
Runner-up: Black Cat
Best Neighborhood Bar
JR.’s
JR.’s (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
1519 17th St., N.W.
202-328-0090
Runner-up: Nellie’s Sports Bar
Best Men’s Party
Mixtape
Runner-up: Bear Happy Hour at Town
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
Best Women’s Party
Phasefest
Runner-up: Bare by LURe
Phasefest (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
Best Alt Party
GAY/BASH!
The Black Cat
1811 14th St., N.W.
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
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
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)
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)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
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.
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 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.
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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
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