Bars & Parties
Calendar Aug. 3-9, 2018
Parties, happy hours, social gatherings and more for the week ahead
A work by Japanese artist Yuki Hiyama on display this month at Touchstone Gallery. An opening reception for the show is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. at the gallery. (Image courtesy Touchstone Gallery)
FRIDAY, AUG. 3
The seventh annual Chesapeake Bay Balloon and Wine Festival is today, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Triple Creek Winery (11138 3 Bridge Branch Rd., Cordova, Md.). There will be 25 hot air balloons with tethered balloon rides and flights available. The festival is kid-friendly. Live entertainment, food and craft vendors, and Triple Creek wines will be featured. Tickets include balloon glow, which will take place each evening, a tasting of six different wines, a wine glass and more. Adult tickets are $31 Friday, $36 Saturday and $16 Sunday. Children ages 6-15 are $5 each day, and children 5 or younger are free. To purchase tickets, visit balloonfestival.ticketspice.com. No refunds are available for tickets. For more information, visit triplecreekwinery.com.
Bear Happy Hour is at UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant (639 Florida Ave. N.W.) tonight from 5-10 p.m. Hosted by D.C. Bear Crue, all are welcome and are invited to “come as you are.” Rail cocktails and draft pitchers (Bud Light and Shock Top) are $5 until 10 p.m. Free appetizers will be handed out throughout the night and food will be available for purchase. For more information, go here.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.) hosts Woof! Happy Hour tonight from 5-11 p.m. There is no cover charge until 9:30. After 9:30, only guests 18 and over will be admitted. There will be free pizza at 7:30. Drink specials include $4 Rail/Well drinks until 11, $4 Bud Light bottles and all draft beers until 10, and $9 draft pitchers until 10. Parking is limited and guests should not park in front of the bar by the strip mall to avoid being towed. For more information, go here.
OutWrite 2018, an LGBT literature non-profit festival, hosts its kickoff event “Laughing Out Loud” tonight at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave. N.W.) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This evening of literary comedy with Michelle Tea is hosted by Chelsea Shorte and features sets by Anthony Oakes and Camille Roberts. The event is on the second floor of the building and is only accessible by stairs. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Details here.
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
Yoga Garden is at The Midlands (3333 Georgia Ave. N.W.) today at 10 a.m. There will be a one-hour vinyasa flow session followed by drinks. Tickets are $16.82 with tax and include yoga and Dogfish Head beer. They can be purchased through Eventbrite.
City Winery (1350 Okie St. N.E.) hosts World of Rosé on the Rooftop today from 2-5 p.m. The event is general admission for guests 21 and over. Led by City Winery’s beverage director Vanessa Phillips, over 50 sparkling and still Rosé examples will be poured from each major wine-producing region. There will be different tasting stations all around the rooftop. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at citywinery.com.
Gay Latino Tropical Night is tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.). Hosted by Rumba Latina, the night will feature drink specials and is jungle-themed. For more information, visit gogaydc.org.
SUNDAY, AUG. 5
SUBMERGE: a summer Pride pool party is today from 2-8 p.m. at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.) on the rooftop. There will be a pool and a full bar. Tickets are $18 for pre-sale and $25 at the door. They can be purchased through Eventbrite and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Tickets include drink specials and towel service. DJ RVSSLL will be spinning. Seating and cabanas will be limited. All are welcome and the event will be body positive, inclusive and respectful of diversity. The rooftop is ADA wheelchair accessible.
Busboys and Poets (14th and V St. N.W.) hosts *SPARKLE*, a queer open-mic poetry reading, tonight from 8-10 p.m. Regie Cabico, producer of international queer poetry slam “Capturing Fire” and National Poetry Slam award-winning spoken word poet, hosts. The cover charge is $5. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at busboysandpoets.com or in the bookstore (cash only). Ticket purchases are limited to four per person, and guests must have their wristbands on to enter the event. No refunds are offered. For more information, visit gogaydc.com.
Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.) hosts a Zodiac Drag Contest tonight from 8-10 p.m. The monthly amateur drag competition is hosted by Ophelia Bottoms. No cover charge is necessary to watch, but contestants will accept tips. The winner receives the zodiac sign title for the date and will be judged by audience applause. Tonight’s winner will be dubbed Miss Leo 2018 and will receive $50 and a slot in the final competition next May. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
MONDAY, AUG. 6
D.C. Gay Board Gamers Group meets tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Soho Tea and Coffee (2150 P St. N.W.). Gamers are welcome to bring a game to share and are encouraged to patronize the host coffee shop. There is a $1 fee for attendance. For more information, go here.
TUESDAY, AUG. 7
The Congressional Chorus is holding tenor and bass auditions today at the chorus offices (733 8th Street N.W., Suite G303), one block away from the Gallery Place Metro stop. To reserve an audition time, contact David Simmons at [email protected].
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W.) hosts a safer sex kit packing party tonight from 7-9 p.m. The HIV Working Group will be packing safe sex kits for distribution at LGBT spaces around D.C. Volunteers are welcome. For more information, go here.
Prime Timers, a social group for older gay and bi men, meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Hi-Tide Lounge (101 N. Union St., Alexandria, Va.). Details at gogaydc.org.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Trio Bistro (17th and Q St. N.W.), near the Dupont Circle Metro. The members will be discussing Stephen McCauley’s “My Ex-Life.” Newcomers are always welcome to attend. For more information and to RSVP, email [email protected].
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. S.E.), across from the Marine barracks, to play duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. For a partner, call 202-841-0279.
Lez Read, a lesbian book group through Politics and Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse (5015 Connecticut Ave. N.W.), hosts a lesbian book discussion tonight from 7:30-10 p.m. The meeting will be in The Den, the coffeeshop downstairs from the book store. The group reads a wide variety of books on lesbian and queer themes by lesbian or queer-identifying writers. It is not necessary to have read the book in advance before attendance. For more information, go here.
THURSDAY, AUG. 9
The Highwaymen’s Hot Jock Night is at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.) tonight from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. There will be a Hot Jock Contest with prizes like tickets to events, jocks, toys and hankies. Draft beer at the club bar is $3 and Jell-O shots are $2 or three for $5. For more information, go here.
The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has its Chamber Connect event tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Graham Hotel in Georgetown (1075 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W.). State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Va.) will attend and provide remarks. Details here.
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.
The year in photos
D.C.’s 10 best theater productions of 2025
A look back at the best books of 2025
A dangerous precedent on trans rights in Texas
Top 10 international LGBTQ news stories of 2025
The 25 greatest queer movies of the 21st century so far
Top 10 LGBTQ local news stories of 2025
Kazakh president signs anti-LGBTQ propaganda bill
Looking back at the 10 biggest A&E stories of 2025
