Bars & Parties
Calendar Aug. 17-23, 2018
Happy hours, parties, meetings and more in the week ahead
BARE White Party (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Friday, Aug. 17
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (729 15th St., N.W.) hosts its 2018 LGBT Biz Pitch Competition today from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Finalists will present on stage in front of the conference audience. The winner will receive $50,000 in cash and prizes including a $25,000 cash prize and a $25,000 business consulting package. Participation is open to chamber-certified LGBT Business Enterprises and LGBT entrepreneurs who are eligible and intend to obtain a LGBTBE Certification or International LGBTI Supplier Registration through the chamber. For LGBTBE Certification or International LGBTI Supplier Registration eligibility, a business must be 51 percent or more LGBT-owned and operated. For registration details, visit facebook.com/nglcc.
Geek Nite Out hosts a meet up for a screening of Blockbuster hit “Black Panther” at Farragut Square (912 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The screening is part of Farragut Square’s Golden Cinema series. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/geekniteout.
R&B singer/actress Melba Moore performs at Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Moore’s career achievements include four Grammy nominations and a 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Tickets are $35. There is a $12 food/beverage minimum per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more details, visit bluesalleylive.com.
XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Slumber Party, a ladies dance party, tonight at 9 p.m. Dress code of pajamas and other slumber party attire is encouraged. There will be a popcorn bar, ice cream bar, $1 Jello shots, $5 cotton candy shots, dancers, pillow fights and more. At midnight, there will be a lingerie and onesie competition. Winner receives a $20 bar tab and a special gift. DJ Honey will play music. Cover is $5 at the door. For details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
D.C. Bear Crue hosts Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 5-10 p.m. Drink specials include $5 rail cocktails and $5 draft pitchers. Free appetizers will be handed out all night. For more information, visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Exile, a 18-and-older dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. At 10:30 p.m. the Birds of Prey Drag Show kicks off hosted by Ba’Naka. Brie Devine, Jaxknife Complex, Iyana Deschanel and Brooklyn Heights will perform. DJ C Dubz will spin tracks. For more details, visit facebook.com/eagledc.
Saturday, Aug. 18
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a drag brunch today with shows at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Chanel Devereaux and her girls will perform imitations of Lady Gaga, Pink, Beyonce and more. Tickets are $41.91 and include an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. Food items on the menu include roast pork, vegetarian pasta, grits, salad and more. The first mimosa or bloody Mary is free. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Freed Bodyworks (1337 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts Yoga and Queer Identity with Melanie Williams today from 1-4 p.m. The workshop will begin with a brief meditation followed by a discussion on the eight limbs of yoga through a queer lens. Afterwards, there will be another brief meditation and an hour-long, all-levels asana practice. The session will close out with savanna and a final guided meditation. The workshop is meant to be a LGBT-only space. Tickets are $35 but a sliding scale is available. For more details, visit facebook.com/freedbodyworks.
The Ladies of LURe hosts BARE’s ninth annual White Party at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Dress code is white. There will be a wet T-shirt contest hosted by MC Alesia Michelle. Participants must bring their own towel but T-shirts will be provided. The top three winners, based on crowd applause, will receive cash prizes. DJ Rosie will spin tracks. The DystRucXion dancers will perform. Drink specials run all night. Cover is $7 before midnight and $10 after. For more information, visit facebook.com/lurewdc.
Sunday, Aug. 19
Bar Roubaix (1400 Irving St., N.W.) hosts D.C. Sassy Brunch today from noon-2 p.m. Desiree Diks hosts the show with performances by Laronica Vegas, Paul and special guests Rose and Mariah Black. Online tickets are $21 and include the show and one entree. Tickets are available at the door for $6 with purchase of food or $10 with no food purchase. Drink specials include $18 bottomless mimosas, bloody Marys and Bloody Marias. For more information, visit facebook.com/sassydragbrunch.
Monday, Aug. 20
PFLAG hosts its monthly meeting at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. Parents, families and friends of the LGBT community are invited to provide encouragement and resources. For more details, visit the dccenter.org.
Tuesday, Aug. 21
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly Bi roundtable discussion tonight at 7 p.m. People are invited to discuss issues related to bisexuality in a private setting. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, Aug. 22
Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U St., N.W.) hosts its 60th anniversary with a block party today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring performances by Maysa, Rare Essence, EU featuring Sugarbear, Soul Searchers, DJ MelloT, Ozone and more. At 7:30 p.m. there will be a tribute to owner Virginia Ali at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Tickets range from $60-150. Proceeds will benefit the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation. For more details, visit benschilibowl.com.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Thursday, Aug. 23
The second annual D.C. Burger Battle is at Hill Country Backyard BBQ at the National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Restaurants will compete to create the best burgers. Tickets are $30 and include burger samples from each restaurant, complimentary beer, live music and games. Ticket proceeds will be donated to SOME (So Others Might Eat). For details, visit dcburgerbattle.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.
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