Bars & Parties
Calendar: Sept. 7-13, 2018
Parties, concerts, comedy and more for the week ahead
Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule has returned from a long hiatus. She has a new album out and plays City Winery Sunday night. (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
Friday, Sept. 7
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Woof, a happy hour, today from 5-11 p.m. Drink specials are $4 rail drinks until 11 p.m., $4 Bud Light bottles until 10 p.m., draft beers until 10 p.m. and $9 draft pitchers until 10 p.m. Free pizza will be given at 7:30 p.m. There is no cover before 9:30 p.m. For details, go here.
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts its Out of Town Show at the Sphinx on K (1315 K St., N.W.) tonight from 7-10 p.m. Performers will include out-of-town reigning monarchs, past monarchs and more. Tickets are $20. For more information, go here.
Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The facilitated group discussion covers building understanding of gay culture and personal identity and awareness of community events for LGBT men between the ages of 18-35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit gaydistrict.org.
Comedian Michael Ian Black performs at Drafthouse Comedy (1100 13th St., N.W.) tonight with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Black is known for his appearances on “The Jim Gaffigan Show” and “The Good Fight,” among others. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit drafthousecomedy.com.
Saturday, Sept. 8
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts Universal Pride Meeting, an LGBT group to support, educate and empower people with disabilities, today from 1-2:30 p.m. Discussion will include the intersections between being LGBT and disabled, dating and relationships and creating access/breaking down barriers in public spaces. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Kathy Griffin brings her “Laugh Your Head Off World Tour” to DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $37-75. For more information and to purchase tickets, start here.
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts Gala of the Americas: Coronation VII at the Sphinx on K (1315 K St., N.W.) tonight from 6 p.m.-midnight. The event will complete Reign VI and Emperor and Empress Romeo Dennis-Chalet B. Childs and CI Tooker Bottoms Jewel will step down. Emperor and Empress VII will be crowned later in the night. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. and the ball begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $130. For more details, go here.
LGBT dance party Mixtape holds its 10th anniversary and finale party at U Street Music Hall (1115 U Street N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. DJ Matt Bailer and DJ Shea Van Horn will play music for the party’s farewell. Tickets are $10. Guests ages 18-20 will be admitted through advance ticket only.
The Coven D.C., a witchy, queer women’s dance party, is at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Honey will spin tracks. Cover is $10. A portion of ticket proceeds will go towards D.C. Books to Prisons. For more details, visit thecovendc.com.
Sunday, Sept. 9
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts its Victory Brunch at the Sphinx on K (1315 K St., N.W.) today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $40. For more information, go here.
Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule hosts her album release party for “Nostalgia Kills” in the Wine Garden at City Winery (1350 Okie St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Monday, Sept. 10
LaTiDo presents Jazz Night at Bistro Bistro (1727 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 8-10 p.m. Russwin Francisco and the group Summer Parfait will be the featured performers. Guest performers will include Krystle Cruz, Michelle Moses-Eisenstein, Taunya Ferguson, Lawrence Grey, Jr., Michael Santos Sandoval and Karen Vincent. Don Michael Mendoza and Anya Randall Nebell will host the event. Paige Rammelkamp will serve as music director. General admission tickets are $15 at the door. Student and senior tickets are $7 and tickets for non-performing LaTiDo alumni are $5. For more details, go here.
Tuesday, Sept. 11
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its trans support group tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. The group is meant to provide an emotional and physical safe space for transgender individuals and those questioning their gender identity. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Author John Larison, author of the trans-themed novel “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” is at East City Bookshop (645 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., no. 100) this evening at 6:30 p.m. for a reading and book signing. Details at eastcitybookshop.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 12
Queer singer/songwriter Be Steadwell performs “Queer Love Songs” at Busboys and Poets (625 Monroe St., N.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. This event is presented by Busboys and Poets’ ZAMI gender and sexuality series. Seating is first come, first served. A full food menu and the bar will be available for the performance. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, go here.
Big Gay Book Group meets at Trio Bistro Restaurant (1537 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Not So Good A Gay Man: A Memoir” by Frank M. Robinson. Newcomers welcome. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed and newcomers are welcome. Call 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.
Thursday, Sept. 13
Pretty Boi Drag presents #AmateurKingNight at Bier Baron (1523 22nd St., N.W.) tonight from 8-11 p.m. The stage will be open to new and first time drag kings. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Performers do not need to purchase tickets. For more details, visit facebook.com/prettyboidrag.
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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Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
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