Bars & Parties
MAL events run all weekend in D.C.
Contests, exhibitions, dance parties and more on jam-packed schedule
Friday, Jan. 12
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend kicks off at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) with registration at 3 p.m. The Exhibitor Hall will be open from 4-10 p.m. on the lower level. The opener rubber social is tonight from 7-9 p.m. in Congressional rooms A and B.
Mr. International Rubber hosts a rubber meet and greet at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) in Congressional Rooms A and B tonight from 7-9 p.m. Wearing gear is encouraged with rubber preferred. All are welcome. There will be a cash bar. For more details, visit facebook.com/mlrubb.
Joe Fiore presents Furball D.C. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight at 10 p.m. Daddy Ersin hosts. Jack Chang and Mike Babbitt will spin tracks all night. There will be a shuttle bus running all night from D.C. Eagle to the Hyatt. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit facebook.com/joefioreproductions.
The Highwaymen host its Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend Fetish Ball at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) in Ballroom B tonight from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Come dressed in fetish gear. DJ Lemz will play music. There will be a cash bar. Cover is $10 at the door. For more details, visit leatherweekend.com.
Honcho presents a MAL Weekend party at U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Mike Servito, Justin Cudmore, The Bunker NY, d’Adhemar and Clark Price will play music for the night. There will be a full clothes check for $2. Admission is $12 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit ustreetmusichall.com.
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts Beer Bash/Pup Appreciation Night at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be raffle prizes and Jell-O shots. For more details, visit facebook.com/imperialcourtdc.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend continues at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) with events like Puppy Park X, co-hosted with Luna Grove Pack, today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Regency B, C and D. The Exhibitor Hall will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on the lower level.
La Fantasy hosts Wig Out Party, as part of Leather Weekend, at Living Room D.C. (1008 Vermont Ave., N.W.) today from 1-7 p.m. Leather and wigs are encouraged. DJ Hansell will spin tracks. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/lafantasyproductions.
Onyx Mid-Atlantic and Dominion Onyx hosts a cocktail party and gear show at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) today from 2-6 p.m. There will be a fetish gear auction benefitting the Community Cares Project and cocktails. There is a suggested donation at the door. For details, visit facebook.com/onyx.midlatlantic.
Pup Indigo and Boy Jason host MAL superhero meet and greet at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) today from 4-6 p.m. Participants are asked to wear their best superhero and villain costumes. For more information, search “MAL 2018: Superheroes and Villains Meet and Greet” on Facebook.
Bears Can Party hosts a leather-clad Bears Can Dance party at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Kristina Kelly will perform. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/bearscanparty.
Distrkt C hosts “Distrkt C XXL: Master, Boys and Pigs” featuring music from Barney Philly and Morabito at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Tickets are $60. For more details, visit distrktc.com.
Sunday, Jan. 14
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend wraps up its last day at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) with brunch from 10 a.m.-noon in Capitol A and B and Congressional A and B. The Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest is from 1-4 p.m. in Regency A, B, C and D. The weekend closes out with the Revival Closing Dance Party at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m.
Otter Den hosts Last Chance Tea Dance for MAL Weekend at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) today from 5-10 p.m. Jeffrey Sfire and Strikestone will spin tracks. Gear is welcome. Coat check available. Cover is $8. For more information, visit facebook.com/otterdendc.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a MAL version of its Flashy Sundays tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. DJ Twin and DJ Sean Morris will play music. There will be an extended bar until 4 a.m. Cover is $20. For more details, visit facebook.com/flashydc.
HybridNine Events presents “Limits,” a MAL weekend closing party, at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their fetish gear. Ryan Doubleyou and Scott Howard will play music. Go-go dancers Grant, Jacob and Will will also perform. Cover is $5. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Distrkt C hosts “DC2 XXL: Red Light Distrkt” at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. featuring music from DJs X Gonzalez and Abel. Tickets are $60. For more details, visit distrktc.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.

