Bars & Parties

LGBT events calendar: July 6-12, 2018

Westminster Pride, Mr. & Miss DC Royale Pageant among week’s highlights

Published

7 years ago

July 6, 2018

DC LGBT events, gay news, Washington Blade

Mesma Belsare, a trans South-Asian dancer, will perform as guest artist with Dakshina at its 15th annual Festival of South Asian Arts on Saturday night. (Photo by Kateryna Odyntsov; courtesy Dakshina)

FRIDAY, JULY 6

NOVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals hosts a Happy Hour Social this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pinzimini Lounge in Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va.). Go Gay D.C. leader TJ Flavell will be there to greet everyone. There are opportunities to meet professionals in a variety of fields and industries. There is no cover fee and everyone is welcome. For more information, visit gogaydc.org.

The DC Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105) hosts a transgender discussion group tonight at 7 p.m. The peer-facilitated discussion group is open to members of the transgender community, partners, friends and allies.

The District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St. N.W.) holds an LGBTQ Erev Shabbat service beginning at 8 p.m. tonight in the community room. An Oneg Shabbat social hour follows the service with dessert, coffee and soft drinks.

Gay District hosts a men’s discussion group tonight at 8:30 at the D.C. Center’s Reeves Building. Gay men between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to attend and participate in this facilitated group discussion. After the meeting, members will often go out for dinner together in the surrounding neighborhood. For more information, visit gaydistrict.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 7

The Westminster Pride Festival is today in Westminster (56 W. Main St., Westminster, Md.) from noon- 5 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/events.

Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.) hosts poker from 1-3 p.m. today. The World Tavern Poker Tournaments are free and a gift certificate prize goes to the winner. There is never a buy-in and each game is free. To get extra chips by registering in advance, visit worldtavernpoker.com.

JR’s Bar & Grill (1519 17th St. N.W.) hosts showtunes happy hour tonight from 5-9 p.m.

Mr. & Miss DC Royale Pageant is at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.) tonight from 6-10 p.m. The 2018 crown will be awarded and 2017 DC Royales Xavier Bottoms and Ophelia Bottoms. For more information, go here.

Dakshina, a gay-helmed local dance outfit, hosts the 15th annual Festival of South Asian Arts tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. N.E.). Featured artists include Madhavi Mudgal Dance Company and Nadhi Thekkek. Tickets are $35 per person and $20 for children and seniors. For tickets, go here.

Independence Day Weekend bar night is tonight at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.). Mr. D.C. Eagle 2018 Daniel Ferguson will be there and Thudd Thumper is on bootblack duty. Free red, white and blue Jell-O shots are available for guests wearing red, white or blue. A DILF party is at the main bar. There is a $10 cover charge for the party and advance tickets online are $8. For more information, go here.

Rumba Latina at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.) celebrates its ninth anniversary of Boys in Heels at 10 p.m. tonight. DJs Manny El Demente and DJ Madscience will spin music. There will also be performances by divas of Rumba Latina and hot go-go dancers. Drink specials will run all night.

SUNDAY, JULY 8

Freddie’s Fabulous Champagne Brunch is today at 10 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.). Tickets are $24.99 and the brunch comes with up to four champagne or mimosas, one Bloody Mary, or coffee, soda or juice. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.

Shi-Queeta Lee hosts Shi-Queeta’s Palace Chateau Remix Drag Brunch today at 11 a.m. at the Chateau Remix Event Center (3439 Benning Rd. N.E.). There is an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and the first mimosa or Zing Zang Bloody Mary is free. Tickets are $40.

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Camelot” will be performed at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. N.W.) today at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $59-110. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shakespearetheatre.org.

Sunday Funday is at JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St. N.W.) from 4 p.m.-midnight tonight. Skyy highballs and Coors Light bottles are each $3.

MONDAY, JULY 9

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105) hosts a coffee drop-in for older LGBT adults and friends today at 10 a.m. There is no age restriction, but an ID or license is required to get into the building.

Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S, Arlington, Va.) hosts Pasta Monday beginning at 4 p.m. Pasta dishes are half-priced. Happy hour specials are from 4-8 p.m. and karaoke is from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.

The DC GLBT Board Gamers group is hosting a board gamers meetup tonight at 6 p.m. at Soho Tea & Coffee (2150 P St. N.W.). Attendees are welcome to bring a game to share. There is a $1 fee for attendees.

TUESDAY, JULY 10

Twilight Tuesday is at Penthouse Pool Club (1612 U St. N.W.) at 7 p.m. tonight. Guests must be 21 to enter with a valid government ID. RSVP is required at Eventbrite.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11

The Capital Classics series at Landmark’s West End Cinema (2301 M St. N.W.) continues today with screenings of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” There are shows at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children and seniors. Advance tickets and more information can be found at landmarktheatres.com.

The Ask Rayceen Show is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center (1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.). Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free. The event is a game show, #AskRayceen Squares, which features special celebrity guests. There will be live music by Nia Simmons, burlesque by Uma Hurtman and DJ MIM will be spinning. Free catered food while supplies last is available for early arrivals, and snacks, soda and water will be available for $1 each. There will be a cash bar with drinks for $5 each. For more information, go here.

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Trio Bistro (17 St. & Q St. N.W.). Members will discuss “The House of Impossible Beauties” by Joseph Cassara. Newcomers are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected].

Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. S.E.) for Duplicate Bridge. No reservations are required and newcomers are welcome. If you need a partner, call 202-841-0279.

THURSDAY, JULY 12

The Ugly Mug (723 8th St. S.E.) and District Karaoke host Pride karaoke tonight at 7 p.m. There are Tex-Mex Thursday food and drink specials all night, including $8 nachos and quesadillas, $4 Pacifico drafts, and $6 margaritas.

“Hamilton” is at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. There is a four-ticket limit per household. Tickets can either be mailed or picked up at the box office. Ticket price ranges from $199-625 each, and when available, standing room tickets may be purchased for $49 starting two hours prior to curtain. Forty $10 orchestra seats are offered at all performances. For tickets, visit the only official website at kennedy-center.org.

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Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

Arts & Entertainment

D.C. bars step up to offer discounts for fed’l employees

Deals, freebies, events, and happy hours galore

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2025

Evan Caplan

Bunker is offering free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

(Editor’s note: This list was compiled on Wednesday afternoon and is not meant to be comprehensive. If you would like to add your bar’s specials, please email [email protected].)

As the federal government comes to a standstill, the DMV restaurant and bar community has come to the aid of furloughed workers, who suddenly have plenty of time on their hands. More than a handful of spots are offering deals, discounts, freebies, events, and more. Many do require an identification to validate employment status. Plus, this shutdown looks like it’s here to stay for some time, so take advantage.

Franklin Hall: This sports bar on Florida Avenue is kicking off the shutdown hard: offering $6 Mixed Drinks, Canned Beers, and “furloughed Shooters” – as well as a free food buffet 4PM-6PM.

Carmine’s, located downtown, is offering steep discounts – $5 meatball sliders, and $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again” and “The Essential Worker.” Carmine’s specifically noted that the specials are open to all, not just affected workers.

Compass Coffee is offering a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street is offering a long happy hour – from 3 p.m. to close with wine specials, plus discounted fries and snacks.

Union Pub is providing steeply cheap beer ($3), alongside discounted hot dogs.

Two locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving up all-day happy hour at the bar, along with $2.50 oysters and a percent off checks for federal workers.

Boqueria DC is giving federal workers with ID happy hour pricing all day long: meaning cheaper sangria, wine, beer, and lots of tapas.

Osteria Morini in D.C. is offering a “Federal Employee Appreciation Special” with $15 pastas for federal employees; Cucina Morini has $10 “primi pastas.”

Duke’s Grocery is offering a complimentary drink: A free shot of bourbon or a glass of house wine when you buy any burger or entrée. Plus, there are $5 select beers.

Thompson Restaurants is offering all government employees 20% off their bill by showing a valid government ID. The offer spans 11 of Thompson’s restaurant brands and more than 65 locations across the DMV, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more.

Shaw’s Tavern: $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 Deep Eddy, $10 burger and pizza, with ID.

LGBTQ BARS

Crush: This bar is offering a “Pouring it forward” event with a free vodka hour, 10-11 p.m. this Friday.

Number Nine is offering $9 cocktails all night after 9 p.m.

Bunker has free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend.

District Eagle offers 30% off drinks for anyone with government, contractor, or military IDs this weekend.

Kiki has free Deep Eddy happy hour 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Her Diner offers all-night drink specials with ID.

Bars & Parties

Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16

Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

Published

6 months ago

May 8, 2025

Staff reports

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff (right) with Rep. Sarah McBride at the 2024 Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.

This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.