Bars & Parties
New lesbian bar A League of Her Own opens in Adams Morgan
Pitchers’ sister pub is new venture from former JR.’s manager Perruzza
League of Her Own (Washington Blade photo by Tom Hausman)
Since the closing of Phase One in 2016, lesbian women in D.C. have been forced to schedule their nightlife choices around weekly or monthly parties hosted for them around town.
David Perruzza hopes to change the landscape of D.C. nightlife for queer women with his new lesbian bar, A League of Her Own.
The space, which officially opened on Aug. 16, is located right next to Pitchers (2317 18th St. N.W.), Perruzza’s newly opened gay sports bar.
Perruzza, who was a former manager at JR.’s Bar for years, said he had been thinking about D.C.’s need for a lesbian establishment since working at JR.’s.
“One day I had this couple come in and they said, ‘Hey, are there any lady bars?’ I was like, ‘No, there’s not’ and the look of disappointment on their face. I was like, ‘Wow, this is really sad that this is the nation’s capital and we don’t have a bar for the ladies,’” Perruzza says.
When Perruzza went to check out the building for Pitchers, he noticed an intriguing feature of the space that sparked an idea for a second business venture.
“I literally walked down and I saw this space and was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s a separate entrance. I can put a lesbian bar in there. It could be like a league of their own.’ Then I’m like ‘Oh, a League of Her Own.’ That’s literally how I came up with the name,” he says.
While Pitchers and A League of Her Own have the same sports bar concept, Perruzza describes A League of Her Own as “more earthy” with a more industrial design.
A League of Her Own will also feature a foosball table, pool table and TVs and video games just like its Pitchers counterpart.
“I was like, ‘What do I do for the people that don’t know anybody? What do I do for the introverts or the people from out of town? So they didn’t have to really interact too much or feel awkward?” Perruzza says.
From his past working at video bar JR.’s, where people could watch videos instead of socialize, Perruzza decided video games would be an ideal choice.
He admits he’s “learning” about the lesbian community but still wanted to ensure someone connected to the community would be managing the establishment. He hired Jo McDaniel, who identifies as a lesbian and formerly worked at Phase One.
“It is owned by a gay guy but it’s run by a lesbian. In the past, I think a lot of lesbian bars have been owned by a gay guy and run by a gay guy,” Perruzza says.
Plans for events and parties are still in development. In the meantime, A League of Her Own will host monthly events for charity on Thursdays. Cover is $5 and all proceeds will benefit a different LGBT charity organization. On Aug. 16, Casa Ruby will be the charity of the month. Wanda Alston House is the planned charity for September.
Since Pitchers is right next door to A League of Her Own, Perruzza hopes that the spaces can foster an inclusive environment without being intrusive. Some patrons of Pitchers have chosen to check out the next door bar but ultimately have been “very respectful of the fact that this is one of the only spaces for queer women to go to,” according to Perruzza.
The location of A League of Her Own and Pitchers isn’t in the typical D.C. gay neighborhoods of U Street or Dupont Circle. Perruzza says he worried about the location for “a brief moment” but realized that in the age of Uber people could still easily access the bars. He also has heard that it’s helped renew nightlife for LGBT people who live in the Adam’s Morgan/Woodley Park area.
Perruzza says one of the best parts of having gay bars outside the gayborhood is that it brings a diverse group of people together.
“It’s creating a small town bar feel that forces lesbians, transgender people and gay men all to go to one bar to talk,” he says. “That’s exactly what’s happening here and its pretty amazing because the lesbian community has a lot more women of color. The women coming up stairs (to Pitchers) are making the men who are of color come in here and feel very comfortable. So it’s creating this amazing environment in the bar of people just chilling and talking to each other. Just every different type of person you can think of.”
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.
What to watch for in 2026: midterms, Supreme Court, and more
A reminder that Jan. 6 was ‘textbook terrorism’
Claudia López criticizes Trump over threats against Colombian president
Tim Walz drops out of Minn. governor’s race
Blade travels to Colombia after U.S. forces seize Maduro in Venezuela
A look back at the best books of 2025
D.C.’s 10 best theater productions of 2025
The year in photos
Safer Ways to Pay for Online Performances and Queer Events
