Connect with us

Bars & Parties

Calendar: Jan. 29-Feb. 4

Events in the week to come

Published

on

Red Bear Brewing, gay events dc, gay news, Washington Blade
Red Bear Brewing hosts ‘A Dark Beer Journey.’ (Washington Blade file photo by Zach Brien)

Friday, Jan. 29

The Manassas Park Community Center (99 Adams St. Manassas Park, Va.) hosts a virtual LGBTQ+ youth hang out tonight at 7 p.m. This free event facilitated by queer and ally facilitators from the center is a chance for you to meet new people, play games and possibly win prizes from the comfort of your home. For more information, call 703-335-8872 or visit the event’s Facebook page.

The D.C. Center hosts a free social anxiety workshop tonight at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Participants can learn more about the causes of social anxiety and its special effects on the LGBTQ community, although the workshop is open to the general public. No one will be required to speak or interact, and participants should understand this is an educational event, not a therapy session. More information is available at socialanxietyhelp.com and thedccenter.org.

Saturday, Jan. 30

Colage, a national organization dedicated to supporting people with one or more LGBTQ+ caregivers, hosts “Being the Child of an LGBTQ+ Parent in the 1970s or 1980s” today at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Email [email protected] or visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.

Sunday, Jan. 31

A Dark Beer Journey hosted by Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) and DC Beer ends tonight at 10 p.m. DC Dirt, Black is Beautiful and Grande Goddess are among the stouts, porters and other dark beers during this special event. Visit redbear.beer for more information on this and other events.

Monday, Feb. 1

Busboys and Poets and The Downtown Columbia Partnership host Poetry on Ice at the Color Burst Ice Rink (6251 Mango Tree Rd., Columbia, Md.) tonight at 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for this family-friendly event featuring live music, spoken word performances and more honoring the birthday of Busboys and Poets namesake, Langston Hughes. For more information, visit merriweatherdistrict.com/whats-on/color-burst-ice-rink.

Tuesday, Feb. 2

The American History Museum presents the free panel discussion “Pandemic Perspectives: Race and Place – Yellow Fever and the Free African Society in Philadelphia” today at 4 p.m. When yellow fever raged through Philadelphia in 1793, many fled, including doctors. The Free African Society helped provide free care during the epidemic, but suffered a backlash in its wake. To learn more and register for this event, visit si.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

BookMen DC, an informal group discussing fiction and nonfiction gay literature, meets tonight, and every third Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Participants do not have to become members, commit to reading every book, or attend every meeting. More information is available at bookmendc.blogspot.com and thedccenter.org.

Thursday, Feb. 4

P&P Live! presents a virtual discussion with Jeane Theoharis on “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks,” a young reader’s edition of the original work which won an NAACP Image Award, today at noon via their website. This version is accessible to a 12-and-up audience and corrects the myths that Parks was a meek, passive player in American history. For more information on this event, and to purchase the book, visit politics-prose.com.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

a&e features

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

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

Published

on

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). 

Continue Reading

Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

on

(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

Continue Reading

Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Popular