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Trade, Woof Den and Uproar target gay clientele

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Trade, gay news, Washington Blade
Trade, gay news, Washington Blade

Trade (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)

The start of the new year has brought an unusual flurry of activity with three new gay bars — and a fourth slated to open soon — on the scene to spice up District nightlife.

Trade (1410 14th St., N.W) is one of the fresher faces on the block having opened in December. The bar holds typical nightlife hours open Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Owned by business trio Ed Bailey, John Guggenmos and Jim Boyle, the same owners as Town and Number Nine, their concept for the bar was something different. Its website bills it as a “dive bar.”

“We just tried to make something that’s a little bit different from what exists currently so that it can be appreciated in a new way hopefully,” Bailey says. “We tried to program it a little differently with not the same stuff that you can just hear at any old bar, not predictable music.”

Predicability is something Bailey thinks has become a problem on the gay bar scene and he hopes Trade will change that.

“We wanted to do something that we thought would resonate for those maybe who have found the current bars to not be as intriguing as they might want and try to give them something that seems different,” Bailey says.

Standing out is also something Steven Champagne, co-operating manager of Woof Den Sports Bar (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.), also aims for.

Champagne, who is gay, says he has noticed the gay bar scene can have unfriendly vibes. He says Woof Den will be more accepting.

“It’s that non-attitude, non-pretentious, non-clique feeling,” he says. “When you go to my place, everyone is welcome. Nobody should feel like they’re not welcome. I feel like what that’s what gay bars have lost these days.”

Woof Den, located downstairs from the Salty Dog Tavern, has only been open for two weeks but Champagne, who manages the bar with co-operator Hicham Moutawakil, says they have big plans for the spot. Bear happy hours on Sundays, a cop/military night on Wednesdays and a pool league night are all in the works. Its hours of operation are seven days a week, open at 4 p.m. every day.

Other bars settling in amongst the gay bar scene are Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) and the soon-to-open Dirty Goose (913 U St., N.W.). Uproar, a bear bar, boasts a full food menu along with frequent happy hours including with local bear group Bear Nonsense. The bar has been tapped to host events for Human Rights Campaign such as Her HRC events. The bar also includes an open rooftop deck with seating available.

The Dirty Goose, which is marketing itself as a more upscale gay bar, will be located next to Nellies’s Sports Bar. The new bar’s website says its grand opening will be in spring of this year.

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PHOTOS: Whitman-Walker Gala

LGBTQ community health organization holds annual event at Ritz-Carlton

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Whitman-Walker Health CEO Naseema Shafi speaks at the Whitman-Walker 2025 Gala on Wednesday, Nov. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Whitman-Walker 2025 Gala was held at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Out & About

Trans Day of Resilience set for Nov. 22

Leadership brunch, ‘Chat & Chew,’ fashion show and live performances planned

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(Photo by nito/Bigstock)

Capital Pride will host the Trans Day of Resilience Leadership Brunch on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center (1827 Wiltberger Street, N.W.). For more information and to RSVP, visit this link.

There will be a Trans Day of Resilience “Community Chat & Chew” at 5 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. fashion show and live performances at 9 p.m. at TransMission (1353 H Street, N.E.). The event is 21+. More information about the event is available on Facebook.

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Calendar

Calendar: November 14-20

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, November 14

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., NW. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Trade. 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

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for women living in the D.C. area. For more information join the group’s closed Facebook group

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Daytime Docs and Dramas Screening of ‘Summer Qamp’” at 12:30 p.m. This free event will celebrate queer youth, resilience and the power of living authentically. To RSVP, visit this link

Saturday, November 15

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.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 group is an outlet for people of color to come together and talk about anything that affects them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, November 16

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Salon” at 5 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy stimulating conversation and dining. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, November 17

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

Tuesday, November 18

Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is a is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Tae Kwon Do class” at 12:30. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the Center’s website

Wednesday, November 19

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.

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Activism at Woman’s National Democratic Club” at 6 p.m. at The Whittemore House. Guests can join other activists at the WNDC for letter and postcard writing to get out the vote this fall in Virginia and other critical state races. Postcards will be written to women in rural VA and to members of Congress on Home Rule 101 in partnership with the D.C. Democrats Statehood Committee. There will be free pizza, cash bar, a fun raffle and camaraderie. More details are available on Eventbrite

Thursday, November 20

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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