Bars & Parties
Calendar: Oct. 5-11, 2018
Concerts, meetings, festivals and more for the week ahead
‘Multiple Dimenions,’ a work by Sally Canzoneri, is on display now at Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy Touchstone)
Friday, Oct. 5
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Woof Happy Hour and Porn Star Bingo today from 5-11 p.m. Beux Banks hosts Porn Star Bingo. Attendees will receive free pizza at 7:30 p.m. Drink specials run until 11 p.m. No cover before 9:30 p.m.
D.C. Bear Crue hosts Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) this evening from 5-10 p.m. Drink specials run until 10 p.m. and include $5 rail cocktails and $5 draft pitchers. Free appetizers will be handed out throughout the night.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) presents Birds of Prey, a drag show, tonight at 10:30 p.m. Brooklyn Heights will serve as guest host. Iyana Deschanel, Sasha Adams Sanchez, Ariel Von Quinn, Venus Fastrada and Alexa Shontelle will perform. DJ CDubz will spin tracks. Maxxi Overdrive will give a special guest performance. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcbridsofprey.
Dan Savage’s Hump Festival is at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight with two shows. The festival will screen the best amateur porn films shown at the festival from 2008-2017. There will be showings at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) opens its October galleries with a reception from 7-8:30 p.m. Gallery A will feature the Touchstone Gallery Member Show. Gallery B and C will showcase “Pictures of Nothing,” an exhibit of paintings by McCain McCurray and “Multiple Dimensions” by Sally Canzoneri. This exhibit presents the same images in two and three dimensional works. Canzoneri is Touchstone’s guest artist. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
BlackRock Center for the Arts presents Signature Theatre Cabaret’s “Streisand Songbook” tonight at 8 p.m. Shayna Blass and Awa Sal Secka will perform the hits of La Babs. Tickets range from $25-45. Details at blackrockcenter.org.
Saturday, Oct. 6
All Things Go Fall Classic, a music festival, is at Union Market (1309 5th St., N.E.) today and Sunday. The line up includes Carly Rae Jepsen, Jessie Reyez, Ravyn, Billie Eilish, Misterwives, Betty Who and more. Two day general admission tickets are $95. One day general admission tickets are $65. VIP tickets include access to the VIP Lounge, front-of-stage viewing, complimentary food twice a day, cash bar, express lane entry and more. Two day VIP tickets are $229. Tickets for single day VIP admission vary. For more details, visit allthingsgofallclassic.com.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) presents Lederhosen Realness, an Octoberfest party, today from 4-8 p.m. DJ Chord will play music. Attendees who wear lederhosen will receive drink specials and a discount on a giant stein of beer. There will also be Octoberfest draft beers and food specials. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
The Fillmore (8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) hosts Party2K: A ‘90s Vs. 2000s Dance Party tonight at 8:30 p.m. There will be a video DJ, costume contest and live bands. The winner of the costume contest will receive tickets to see Lauryn Hill at the MGM Grand. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.50. For more details, visit fillmoresilverpsring.com.
Sunday, Oct. 7
Pink Martini performs at the Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. NPR’s “All Things Considered” host Ari Shapiro will also perform as a special guest. Tickets range from $35-95. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit theanthemdc.com.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) celebrates the fifth anniversary of Flashy Sundays tonight from 6 p.m.-4 a.m. DJ Twin and DJ Sean Morris will spin tracks. Admission to the first floor is free. Cover is $20 for the main floor and roof deck.
The Takoma Park Street Festival is today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in between the half-mile stretch of Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, Md. and Carroll St., N.W. There will be three stages featuring 18 local bands performing indie-folk, rock, blues, country, reggae and more. There will also be vendors selling paintings, photographs, pottery, soaps, ceramics, crafts and more. Kids can also enjoy crafts, face painting, inflatables and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/mainstreettakoma.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) has a drag brunch today with shows at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Chanel Devereaux hosts. Drag entertainers will perform as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Pink and more. Tickets are $41.91 and include an all-you-can-eat buffet and one mimosa or bloody Mary. For more details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Monday, Oct. 8
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours for the senior LGBT community this morning from 10 a.m.-noon. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for black gay men 40 and older tonight from 7-9 p.m.
Overeaters Anonymous hosts a meeting specifically for LGBT individuals at St. George’s Episcopal Church (915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, Va.) tonight at 7 p.m. Newcomers welcome. For more information, call 703-521-1999 or email [email protected].
Wednesday, Oct. 10
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.
Big Gay Book Group meets at Trio Bistro Restaurant (1537 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Christodora” by Tim Murphy. Newcomers welcome. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email [email protected].
Thursday, Oct. 11
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Highwaymen Hot Jock Night tonight from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. There will be a Hot Jock contest with prizes for event tickets, toys and more. Drink specials include $3 draft beer, $2 Jell-O shots and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/eagledc.
Busboys and Poets (450 K St., N.W.) presents activist Angela Davis in conversation with Amy Goodman from Democracy Now today from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Full menu and bar will be available. Books by both Davis and Goodman will be available for purchase. For more details, visit facebook.com/busboysandpoets.
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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