Connect with us

Bars & Parties

25 LGBTQ events this week

Annie’s celebrates 75, book signing at The Corner, Miss Gay Arlington among highlights

Published

3 years ago

on

From left, Annie's Paramount Steak House celebrates 75 years; Blade editor Kevin Naff discusses his book 'How We Won the War for LGBTQ Equality' at a book signing; India Larelle Houston is honored at Miss Gay Arlington Pageant. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.

Spike Hellis & Void Vision w/ Struggle & DJ Mindjacket

Monday, April 24
8:30 p.m.
The Runway DC
3523 12th Street, N.E.
$10-$15
Facebook | Eventbrite

Vanguard Dark Dance Party and EBM Worldwide present Spike Hellis and Void Vision with Struggle and DJ Mindjacket at Runway DC tonight.

Reign: Drag Variety Show

Monday, April 24
8:30 p.m.
Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W.
Eventbrite

Every Monday, wind down with some carefree drag at Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar.

JR.’s Showtunes

Monday, April 24
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

You can belt out your favorite songs among friends at Showtunes Monday tonight.

Party & Prance: Ballet Class and Kiki

Tuesday, April 25
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Haus of bambi holds a free queer ballet class and kiki at Trade! Come sip, spin, and learn some ballet fundamentals with your sibs and a drink in your hand. All are welcome to join in or cheer on from the sidelines.

Impulse Group College Game Night

Tuesday, April 25
7-10 p.m.
Party HQ
15606 Emerald Way
Bowie, Md.
Eventbrite

The Impulse Group is holding ‘LGBTQ+ College Game Night’ with games food, drinks, bowling and laser tag at Party HQ on Tuesday.

Drag Bingo

Tuesday, April 25
7 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook

Desiree Dik leads a game of Drag Bingo at Red Bear Brewing Company on Tuesday at 7.

Goldilocks Trivia

Tuesday, April 25
8-9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Go to JR.’s on Tuesday when you are in the mood for a trivia game that is ‘Not too easy. Not too hard.’

Daddy Issues

Wednesday, April 26
9 p.m.
Kiki
915 U Street, N.W.
Instagram

Crystal Edge hosts the weekly drag show at Kiki on Wednesday.

“How We Won the War for LGBTQ Equality” book signing

Thursday, April 27
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Corner at Whitman Walker
1701 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite

Kevin Naff, author of ‘How We Won the War for LGBTQ Equality’ and editor of the Washington Blade, speaks about his new book at a book signing at The Corner at Whitman Walker on Thursday.

Team DC Spring Sports Mixer

Thursday, April 27
6-8 p.m.
Kiki
915 U Street, N.W.
Facebook

The umbrella LGBTQ sports organization Team DC holds a mixer at Kiki on Thursday.

DC Boys of Leather April Happy Hour

Thursday, April 27
6-9 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Wear your gear for an evening out at Trade on Thursday.

Thirst Trap Thursdays

Cake Pop! performs at Pitchers DC. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Thursday, April 27
10 p.m.
Pitchers DC
2317 18th Street, N.W.
Instagram

Cake Pop! and Venus Valhalla host a fabulous drag show every Thursday at Pitchers.

Trans/Queer+ Empowerment Boxing Classes

Friday, April 28
6-7 p.m.
Healey Family Student Center
3700 Tondorf Road, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite

Take a class among friends at Trans/Queer+ Empowerment Boxing on Friday.

Miss Gay Arlington 2023

Friday, April 28
7 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook

India Larelle Houston will be honored at ‘A Night in Rio’ at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City. The pageant will see a new Miss Gay Arlington crowned.

Miss Gay Western Maryland 2023

Friday, April 28
Doors 8 p.m. / Pageant 9 p.m.
The Lodge
21614 National Pike
Boonsboro, Md.
Facebook

If you live on the other side of the DMV, the Miss Gay Western America pageant features Miss Gay America Tatiyanna Voche’, Miss Gay Maryland America Amethyst Diamond, as well as the current reigning Miss Gay Western Maryland Dezi Minaj.

Kicks & Giggles Glow/Crazy

Friday, April 28
9 p.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook

Kicks & Giggles present a glow party at Green Lantern on Friday.

Trans Agenda

Friday, April 28
10 p.m.
As You Are
500 8th Street, S.E.
Instagram

Mas Vusi hosts a show with Mota, Bootsy Omega and Silver Ware Sidora to support Transformations. Music is provided by Franxx.

Class Act Drag Brunch

Saturday, April 29
Doors 11:30 a.m. / Show 12:30 p.m.
Sign of the Whale
1825 M Street, N.W.
Eventbrite

Tiffany D. Carter hosts the Class Act Drag Brunch at Sign of the Whale on Saturday.

Annie’s 75th Anniversary

Saturday, April 29
12-6 p.m.
Annie’s Paramount Steak House
1609 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Storied community restaurant Annie’s Paramount Steak House celebrates its 75th anniversary with a party on Saturday.

HUMP Film Festival

Saturday, April 29
– Doors 6:30 / Show 7 p.m.
– Doors 9 p.m. / Show 9:30 p.m.
Black Cat
1811 14th Street, N.W.
$25
Facebook | Tickets

Dan Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival comes to Washington, D.C. on Saturday with two showings at the Black Cat.

Mx. Tater Tot

Saturday, April 29
7 p.m.
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
713 8th Street, S.E.
Eventbrite

Tara Hoot and Logan Stone host this month’s Mx. Tater Tot Pageant on Saturday at Crazy Aunt Helen’s. This month’s contestants include Alec Tricity, Blas Femme, D’manda Martini, Shoujo-A-Go-Go and Venetian.

Afterglow: An Epic EDM Journey

Saturday, April 29
7 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No cover happy hour. Priority entry tickets $30
Tickets

Come by early for the happy hour and get in free, or avoid the line later by getting a priority ticket: either way a late night of dancing to music by J Warren is slated to be “an epic EDM journey.”

Freddie’s Follies

Destiny B. Childs performs at Freddie’s Follies. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Saturday, April 29
9 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook | Website

The ever-popular Freddie’s Follies holds a show on Saturday hosted by Destiny B. Childs.

Brunchin’ at St. Arnolds

Sunday, April 30
11:30 a.m.
St. Arnold’s on Jefferson
1827 Jefferson Place, N.W.
Reservations

Logan Stone hosts “Brunchin’ at St. Arnolds” on Sunday.

Sunday, April 30
Happy hour 7 p.m. / Showtime 8 p.m.
Dupont Italian Kitchen
1637 17th Street, N.W.

Catch a showcase of all types of drag in the Drag Star Search show on Sunday.

Related Topics:
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

2 weeks ago

on

December 26, 2025

By

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

4 weeks ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

(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

1 month ago

on

November 28, 2025

By

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