Arts & Entertainment
D.C. area teeming with queer New Year’s Eve party options
Ring in 2019 whether you plan to dance into the wee hours of the morning, indulge in an elaborate dinner or celebrate New Year’s Eve in the daytime
Ring in 2019!
Whether you plan to dance into the wee hours of the morning, indulge in an elaborate dinner or celebrate New Year’s Eve in the daytime, there are plenty of local options to customize how you want to ring in 2019.
The Yards D.C. (301 Water St., S.E.) hosts Noon Yards Eve tonight from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Families can ring in the new year early with activities for kids of all ages including a train ride throughout the Yards, inflatable moon bounces, glitter tattoo artists, balloon artistry, music and more. Say hello to 2019 at noon with a balloon drop. Free admission. For more information, visit facebook/com/theyardsdc.
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts its New Years Eve Variety Show at the Barking Dog (4723 Elm St., Bethesda, Md.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Athena, Trace and Chip host the party.Tickets are $80 and includes food, open bar and party favors. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Reign VII Charities. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 10:30 show. For more details, visit facebook.com/imperialcourtdc.
XX+Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) presents MasQUEERade- NYE tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. General admission tickets are $20 and includes a midnight champagne toast. VIP tickets are $65 and include open bar from 10 p.m.-midnight, hors d’oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast. Diamond tickets are $350 and give one table, a bottle of Dom Perignon, four tickets, appetizers and a champagne toast. The Bad and boujee ticket is $500 and includes all of the above for five ticket holders, a private performance and a surprise gift. For more information, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., N.W.) hosts its New Year’s Eve International Global Gala tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be seven party rooms, performances from live bands including Dr. Fu and Herr Metal, Cirque performances, strolling entertainers, karaoke, a midnight balloon drop, appearances from the Washington Nationals’ mascot Teddy and the Washington Capitols mascot Slapshot and more.Tickets range from $119-230. For more information, visit thingstodc.com.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts New Year’s Eve Ball tonight at 7 p.m. The MainStage will feature a performance by Peaches O’Dell and Her Orchestra and the backstage will feature DJ Dredd and Grap Luva. Tickets are $30 for both floors. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.
SAX Restaurant & Lounge (734 11th St., N.W.) presents Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Live Cirque performances will occur throughout the night themed around fire and ice. Attendees can also experience aerialists, choreographed dance sets, lavish costumes, pole performers and go-go dancers. There will be a midnight champagne toast. Tickets include one free drink ticket. Single admission tickets are $50 and couple tickets are $75. For more information, visit facebook.com/saxwdc.
The Mansion on O Street (2020 O St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve masquerade party tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests can enjoy a premium open bar from 10 p.m.-1 a.m., a midnight champagne toast, a chocolate fountain, red carpet photo-op, a kissing booth, party favors, a DJ and more. Tickets are $175. For details, visit omansion.com.
Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts Y2k19 New Year’s Eve Retro Gala tonight from 8 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be multiple floors with different decades of music. The 2000s floor with play Top 40 and EDM. The ‘90s floor with spin boy band/girl group hits, one-hit wonders and house favorites. The Decades of Hip-Hop floor will play hip-hop music from four decades. The rooftop will have a mix of classic house and modern dance. Tickets are $45.59. For more information, visit decadesdc.com.
A-Town Bar and Grill (4100 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, Va.) hosts New Year’s Eve 2019 Masquerade at A-Town tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets range from $25-45. Tables are $300 and include five person entry, one bottle of champagne, 15 drink tickets, two appetizer samples and a private table all night. For more details, visit facebook.com/atownballston.
Madhatter (1319 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts its NYE Ball tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be a DJ, dance floor, party favors and giveaways. Ticket includes five-hour open bar and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75. For more information, visit madhatterdc.com.
Dstrkt Events presents NYE ’19 at Vivid Lounge (1334 U St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be a Ketel One vodka open bar from 9-10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets start at $20. For more details, visit distrktnye.eventbrite.com.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Leather & Lace Ball: New Year’s Eve with Bebe Zahara Benet tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be pop up performances throughout the night by Benet (winner of season one of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3” contestant), Ba’Naka, Sandra O’Nassis Lopez, Brie DeVine, Evon Michelle, Bambi Necole Ferrah and more. Eddie Danger and Reno will go-go dance for the night. At 9 p.m. there will be a VIP meet and greet with Benet. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served all night. Dress cod is leather, lace, rubber or casual sexy chic. DJ Ryan DoubleYou plays music for the night. Tickets range from $17.55-28.16. For more details, visit dceagle.com.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a three-day New Year’s Eve celebration kicking off tonight at 10 p.m. and going 24 hours until Jan. 2 at noon. The lineup, which will be announced at a later date, will include international and local DJs. Tickets give entry to the party all three days and attendees can come and go. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit flashdc.com.
All Hank’s locations will offer special menu items for New Year’s Eve. Hank’s Pasta Bar (600 Montgomery St., Alexandria, Va.) will have a $75 per person tasting menu with items such as lobster bisque and toasted ciabatta crostini, hypo Bibb salad with pear and gorgonzola in a champagne vinaigrette, wild mushroom gnocchi and more. Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town Alexandria (1026 King St., Alexandria, Va.) will include butter poached lobster tail, warm baby octopus salad and more. Hank’s Oyster Bar at the Wharf (701 Wharf St., S.W.) will have surf and turf and stuffed lobster tail and Hank’s Oyster Bar in Capitol Hill (633 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) will have surf and turk and lamb shank. For more details, visit hankspastabar.com or hanksoysterbar.com.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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