Bars & Parties
Get your Pride on
Celebrations galore planned in D.C. in coming days

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
D.C. gets into the spirit of Pride early with events occurring all over the city.
18th & U Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) hosts its D.C. Pride kickoff party on Saturday, June 3 from 2-6 p.m. Brock Thompson, Jonathan Shields and Beaumont Brackeen will guest bartend for the night. All tips benefit the Wanda Alston Foundation. DJ Thomas Hernandez spins tracks. Goldie Grigio hosts. There will be celebrity cocktails named after local members of the D.C. community. For more information, visit facebook.com/duplexdiner.
Story District hosts “Out/Spoken: Queer, Questioning, Bold and Proud” at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-8 p.m. Storytellers will share eight true stories based around the LGBT experience. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts. Storytellers include Mike Boyd, Elyse Hannah, Robin Katcher, among others. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22. Purchase tickets at 930.com.
Mauther Project hosts the official Capital Pride Women’s kickoff party in the parking lot of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-10 p.m. There will be liquor and beer provided by Denizens Brewing Co. and Republic Restoratives. Latin and barbecue-style street food will be served. BOOMscat will DJ the dance party. All are welcome. General admission tickets are $15. Entry including two free drink tickets is $35. Tickets that include two entries, open bar and all-you-can-eat food is $150. For more details, visit whitman-walker.org/give/
Latino GLBT History Project hosts La Fe: Resisting with Faith, the kick-off to the 11th annual D.C. Latino Pride, at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-8 p.m. The non-denominational faith service is for LGBT individuals and allies. For more information, visit facebook.com/latinoglbthistory
River Tea D.C. hosts a tea dance on the Potomac at the Boomerang Party Yacht and Private Ship Company (1072 31st St., N.W.) on Sunday, June 4 from 4:15-6:30 p.m. The party cruise will feature a cash bar, music by DJ Say What? and a large, open upper-deck on the second level. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the dock. Boarding begins at 4:15 p.m. and the yacht will sail from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more details, visit facebook.com/riverteadc.
D.C. Brau and Washington Blade host #PridePils launch happy hour at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on Wednesday, June 7 from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate the launch of the #PridePils beer can. There will be prizes for best rainbow or unicorn custom on your pet. For more details, visit washingtonblade.com/dcbrau.
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.
