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

Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

1 day 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

2 weeks 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

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 month ago

on

October 30, 2025

By

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. 

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite. 

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website. 

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram. 

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host  a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram. 

Continue Reading

Popular