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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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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

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Sports

English soccer bans transgender women from women’s teams

British Supreme Court last month ruled legal definition of woman limited to ‘biological women’

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(Photo by Kirill_M/Bigstock)

The organization that governs English soccer on Thursday announced it will no longer allow transgender women to play on women’s teams.

The British Supreme Court on April 16 ruled the legal definition of a woman is limited to “biological women” and does not include trans women. The Football Association’s announcement, which cites the ruling, notes its new policy will take effect on June 1.

“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and FIFA,” said the Football Association in a statement that announced the policy change. “Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.”

“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary,” added the Football Association.

The Football Association also acknowledged the new policy “will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.”

“We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game,” it said.

The Football Association told the BBC there were “fewer than 30 transgender women registered among millions of amateur players” and there are “no registered transgender women in the professional game” in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The Scottish Football Association, which governs soccer in Scotland, is expected to also ban trans women from women’s teams.

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