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LGBT New Year’s Eve 2019 D.C.-area party options

Dress up or get down — The District has something for every mood

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New Years Eve parties, gay news, Washington Blade
10 … 9 … 8 … 7 … — don’t want to sit at home? The District has New Year’s Eve party options galore. (Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)

It’s out with the old and in with the new as venues across the District swing into “Roaring ‘20s” 2.0. Nothing is prohibited this time around, so let the Jazz Age reboot begin.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

It’s Gatsby New Year’s Eve 2020 at Eden D.C. (1716 I St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35 to party all night like a literary icon with a complimentary champagne toast, six DJs and three floors of entertainment. For tickets and information, visit eventbrite.com

Capital Gatsby New Year’s Eve D.C. Gala 2020 is 9 p.m. tonight at the Showroom (1099 14th St., N.W.). Tickets start at $174 for this pricier event and guests are encouraged to dress in 1920’s black-tie decadence. The event features a five-hour open premium bar, midnight countdown and toast, multiple food stations, and 1920s inspired dancers, party favors and more. For tickets and more information, visit dcnewyears.net.

The Noon Yards Eve celebration culminating in a noon balloon drop is today from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Yards D.C. (301 Water St., S.E.). This free, family-friendly event features inflatable moon bounces, glitter tattoo artists, music, train rides and more. Visit theyardsdc.com for more information. 

The New Year’s Eve Roaring ‘20s Party hosted by The Mansion on O & O Street Museum (2020 O St., N.W.) kicks off tonight at 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy a chocolate fountain, a tour of the 100-room mansion, a red carpet photo-op and music by DJ Stylz. This former FBI hideout was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Mega Mansions” show and was listed in the top five historic venues by Smithsonian Magazine. Tickets are $250 at forms.omansion.com.

Brand New Day 2020 is a 26-plus-hour marathon party starting at 10 p.m. tonight at Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.). A single $50 ticket grants access to music from national and international artists as well as re-entry to this multi-day event. For details, visit eventlink.to/flash2020

New Year’s Eve at Mr. Henry’s (601 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) features music by local jazz artist Steve Washington. Tickets start at $124 and include live music, all night bites, an open bar and more. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com

A Jazz New Year’s Eve with Branford Marsalis presented by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F St., N.W.) is tonight with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Marsalis, a popular bandleader and saxophonist, has 16 Grammy nominations and three Grammy Awards. Tickets start at $75 and include a night of dancing, a midnight countdown and more. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information. 

The Black Cat New Year’s Eve Ball celebrates the new year with swing music and more by Peaches O’Dell and her orchestra tonight at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Tickets are $30 at blackcatdc.com

The second annual Leather and Lace Ball: New Year’s Eve is tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). This celebration features DJs, drag performers, go go boys and more. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit Eventbrite and dceagle.com

Trade’s (1410 14th St., N.W.) New Queer’s Eve 2020 is tonight at 10 p.m. Vagenesis hosts performances by Rose Evergreen, Khaiya Darnell and Sirius Prism with music by StrikeStone and Wess the DJ. There is no cover for this over-21 event. Visit Facebook events for details.

Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) hosts its New Bear’s Eve Party tonight at 7 p.m. This event features entertainment by pop artist Billy Winn and DJ Deven Trotter. For more information, visit redbear.beer.

The Ziegfelds Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) New Year’s 2020 Party starts at 9 p.m. tonight and features a special show with an expanded cast. The $20 cover includes a midnight countdown and champagne toast. More information is available on Facebook and secretsdc.com

A Night in Havana: A New Year’s Celebration is tonight at 9 p.m. at Casta’s Rum Bar (1121 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $75. This venue serves authentic Cuban food and DJ Vania mixes Latin beats and popular hits all night. Party favors, complimentary fedoras and authentic Cuban hors d’oeuvres are available until midnight. Visit castasrumbar.com for more information. 

The Big ‘80s New Year’s Eve Party celebrates the music of that other decadent decade tonight at 9 p.m. at Union Stage (740 Water St., S.W.). Tickets start at $30. DJ Marco spins Madonna, Whitney, Prince and more all night long until the ball drops. Tickets are available at bit.ly/nye80sDC

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a&e features

Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties

Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more

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Trade leans into a shark motif with its NYE plans. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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). 

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Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

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(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

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

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Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

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Thurst Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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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