Bars & Parties
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New Year’s Eve options abound in D.C. and beyond

Chaka Khan (Photo courtesy Chaka Khan Enterprises)
There will be numerous New Year’s Eve celebrations throughout the District.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) hosts New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center with Chaka Kahn at 10:30 p.m. Kahn will perform her greatest hits to ring in the New Year. Tickets range from $55-149. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Howard Theatre (620 T St., N.W.) hosts a masquerade ball at 10 p.m. Couples admission is $80 and includes two admission tickets, a complimentary mask and line pass admission. VIP admission is $60 and includes a complimentary mask and line pass admission. General admission is $45 and standing room only. It also includes a complimentary mask. A full dinner menu will be available. For more details, visit thehowardtheatre.com.
LezLink hosts its first annual Bright Night’s and Harlem Nights Gala at Cru (1847 Columbia Rd., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be dancing, live performances and burlesque. There will also be craft cocktails, food and a free champagne toast. Black tie or 1920s attire is suggested. Tickets range from $48.47-80.12. For more information, visit lezlinkapp.com.
Unleashed D.C. hosts its Ladies New Years Eve 2016 Masquerade Affair at Touche Supper Club (1123 H St., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be complimentary vodka drinks from 10-11 p.m. There will also be a full buffet and champagne toast at midnight. DJs performing will be and TMS. Advanced general admission tickets are $20. VIP tickets are $150 and include complimentary entry for two and a table for up to four. For more information, visit facebook.com/unleasheddcevents
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts “33 1/3 Hours,” a New Year’s celebration from 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 5 a.m. on Jan 2. Performers will include Alexi Delano, Bella Sarris Camea, David Waxman and more. There will be extended bar service until 4 a.m. all weekend and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Ticket holders are allowed entry at all times during the event. Tickets are $50. Tickets for entry after 4 a.m. are $40. For more information, visit flashdc.com.
Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a Casino Royale celebration from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be casino games, a four hour premium open bar, an appetizer buffet and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $106.49. For more information, visit shawstavern.com.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be a balloon and teddy bear drop with champagne at midnight. At 1 a.m. there will be complimentary coffee and donuts. DJ Jeff Elleto will play music downstairs and DJs Back2Back will play upstairs. No cover until 10 p.m. For details, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party at 9 p.m. The Ladies of Town will perform a drag show. DJ Drew G and Ed Bailey will play tunes. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Nellies’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a party from 4 p.m.-4 a.m. presented by Absolute Vodka. For more details, visitnelliessportsbar.com.
Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place (3000 K St., N.W.) hosts River Bash, a New Year’s party, at 9 p.m. There will be appetizers, DJs, top-shelf open bar, heated party tents and live music. Tickets are $110 per person or start a group of 10 or more people to receive $10 off per ticket. For more information, visit tonyandjoes.com.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve ball at 7:30 p.m. Peaches O’Dell and her orchestra will perform on the MainStage throughout the night. Tony Anthony and His Malvivants will also perform in between sets. DJ Dredd will perform back stage. Food and drinks will be available. This party is all ages but those under 21 must be accompanied. Tickets are $30. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.
a&e features
Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more
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).
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
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.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
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.
