Bars & Parties
25 LGBTQ events this week
Annie’s celebrates 75, book signing at The Corner, Miss Gay Arlington among highlights
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
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
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.
Drag Star Search
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.
Bars & Parties
MIXTAPE returns Jan. 4
“MIXTAPE with DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn” will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. at the Atlantis.
This event is D.C.’s legendary LGBTQ dance party. Founded in 2008 by DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, MIXTAPE quickly became a staple of the city’s queer nightlife, bringing together a vibrant crowd of music lovers, dancers, and everyone in between. Known for its eclectic blend of indie, house, nudisco, and throwbacks, MIXTAPE creates a unique, inclusive experience that brings people back to the dance floor time and again.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Atlantis website.
Bars & Parties
Ring in the New Year with Capital Pride
Rainbow Masquerade features drag shows, aerial silk performances
Capital Pride will host “Rainbow Masquerade NYE Party” on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. at 3400 Georgia Ave. NW.
There will be an all-night open bar, midnight Champagne, drag shows and aerial silk performances. There will also be dessert and midnight snack tables and themed photo ops.
To get tickets and a discount (Code: CAPPRIDE for $25 off), visit Capital Pride’s website.
Capital Pride/World Pride will host Rainbow Masquerade at Hook Hall, a New Year’s Eve party featuring drag shows, silk aerial acts, private lounges and the venue’s Hot Tub Cabana. According to Brandon Bayton, Capital Pride executive producer, “Step into the Fabric of Freedom and toast World Pride 2025 in style—where every moment sparkles, every performance dazzles and every toast makes a difference. It’s going to be an amazing night!”
The party is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave., N.W. Proceeds benefit Capital Pride D.C. and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
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