Bars & Parties
New Year’s Eve party options abound in D.C. and beyond
Major events planned at the Yards, Town, Lucky Strike and more
The Yards (355 Water St., S.E.) presents a family-friendly countdown from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can enjoy a trackless train ride through the Yards, face painting, balloon artistry, music and more. Admission is free.
Xavier Entertainment hosts New Years Eve Time Square, a gay men’s New Year’s Eve party, at Karma DC (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be two DJs, live entertainment and a complimentary champagne toast. General admission tickets are $20. VIP tickets are $40 and include VIP cutline entry all night, entry to the VIP section, a light buffet and coat check.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party at 9 p.m. Trixie Mattel, Tatianna, Banaka and Riley Knoxx will perform in the drag show at 9:30 p.m. Lena Lotts hosts the show. Tickets are $35. Guests not attending the party will be allowed into the club at 11 p.m. DJ Ed Bailey and DJ Joe Gauthreaux will play music upstairs. Admission for the after the show is $25.
The Qrew and Tagg Magazine host Cosmic Q Year’s Eve, a ladies New Year’s Eve party, at Lucky Strike (701 7th St., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. DJ Jai Syncere and DJ Tezrah will spin tracks all night. There will be gift bags for the first 150 people, a complimentary champagne toast, free food, happy hour specials, free D.C. Brau Beer and games. General admission tickets are $25 and include a free buffet from 10-11 p.m. and champagne toast. VIP tables are $385 and include four tickets, buffet, one bottle or beer tower, bottomless spinach/salsa dip and tortilla chips and champagne toast. The Ultimate VIP Package includes the tickets, two reserved bowling lanes, an exclusive VIP lounge, complimentary bottle of red wine and everything else in the VIP table package.
BKE hosts three New Year’s Eve parties this year. First is the New Year’s Eve Fashion Gala at the St. Gregory Hotel (2033 M St., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Festivities begin at 9 p.m. with a live band performing in the lobby. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of Prosecco and the opportunity to take red carpet photos with fashion models wearing outfits featuring local designer brands. The ballroom opens at 10 p.m. for the party with music from DJ Vito Lee. Individual tickets are $54 and includes two complimentary glasses of Prosecco, one on the red carpet and one at midnight. The dinner package is $159 and includes a three-course dinner, a complimentary glass of Prosecco and a complimentary midnight toast. Couples dinner and VIP hotel suite package is $150 and offers a three-course dinner, luxury hotel suite, complimentary bottle of Prosecco in room, two glasses of complimentary sparkling wine with dinner and New Year’s Day brunch for two.
Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala will be at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Rd., N.W.) from 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Each ballroom will represent an international DJ with music entertainment including DJs, a jazz orchestra, Latin salsa band, Caribbean island band and an Irish band. There will be an open bar, two midnight balloon drops, karaoke and party favors. Presidential tickets are $249 and offer 7:30 p.m. admission, a cocktail reception and appetizers and a three-course sit-down dinner with dessert buffet. Ambassador Level tickets are $205 and offer the dinner and dessert buffet with 9 p.m. admission. Post-dinner admission is $110 and gives access to the party. Dinner not included.
New Year’s Eve at the Pandora Seafood House and Bar (36 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md.) is from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets are $128.74 for the three-course dinner and four-hour open bar. Tickets are $70.68 for just the open bar. Admission is $33.72 for entry with cash bar and a midnight toast.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts its New Year’s Eve Ball at 7 p.m. Peaches O’Dell & Her Orchestra and Tony Anthony & His Malvivants will perform on the main stage. DJ Dredd will spin tracks on the backstage. Tickets are $30.
Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) presents New Year’s Eve Blowout at 8 p.m. with an all night open bar, limited appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. DJs will play on the first and second floor. Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 day of show.
Lindy Promotions hosts its New Year’s Eve party at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 9 p.m. EDM DJ Vice will perform. There will be a five-hour premium open bar, dinner buffet from 9-11 p.m., complimentary party favors, champagne toast and a balloon drop. General admission tickets are $99. Premiere VIP Access tickets are $119 and include an additional 30-minute open bar. VIP ticket packages range from $139-159 and offer reserved tables, early admission and an extra 30-minute open bar.
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets (1824 Half Street, S.W.) has a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. featuring naked dancers, party favors, champagne and a cash balloon drop at midnight.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party at 10 p.m. featuring performances from Archie Hamilton, Chez Damier, Eddie C, M.A.N.D.Y., Matthew Dear, Punisher and more. Tickets range from $50-60.
Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) presents “Back II the Future,” a retro gala, at 8 p.m. The party will feature ‘80s music and a complimentary bar from 8-9 p.m. Tickets are $40.
Lighthouse D.C. hosts Gatsby Gala, a New Year’s Eve charity benefit, at Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th St., N.W.) from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. All proceeds benefit homeless and low-income families transitioning to affordable housing. There will be an open bar, food, a live jazz band, swing lessons, dance and costume competitions and more. Tickets start at $121.
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.
Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.
Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.
Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.
Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.
Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.
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