Bars & Parties
25 LGBTQ events this week
Mr./Miss/Mx. Capital Pride, Trans Pride and Con Acento 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.
DC Boys of Leather May Happy Hour
Thursday, May 18
6-9 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook
The DC Boys of Leather hold its monthly happy hour at Trade tonight.
LIYT Nights and Drag Duels
Thursday, May 18
6:30-10 p.m.
Veterans Plaza
1 Veterans Place
Silver Spring, Md.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Catch a drag duel with “music, comedy performances, choreographed dance, and more” in Silver Spring tonight at Veterans Plaza.
Potomac Motorcycle Club Bar Night
Thursday, May 18
7-11 p.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook
The Potomac MC holds its bar night at the Green Lantern at 7 p.m. tonight.
Mr./Miss/Mx. Capital Pride Pageant
Thursday, May 18
7-11 p.m.
Penn Social
801 E Street, N.W.
$17.01+
Facebook | Tickets
The long tradition of a Capital Pride pageant returns after a few dormant years tonight at Penn Social.
LGBTQ+ Social at Puro Gusto
Friday, May 19
7 p.m.
Puro Gusto Cafe
1345 F Street, N.W.
Eventbrite
Go Gay DC welcomes you to a night out of conversation and dinner at Puro Gusto Cafe on Friday.
DTF
Friday, May 19
8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No cover before 10 p.m.
Website
Bunker holds a leather and pup happy hour with no cover from 8-10 on Friday, with a party featuring Boomer Banks into the morning.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8” Viewing Party
Friday, May 19
8-9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8” with other fans at JR.’s Bar on Friday at a show hosted by Citrine.
Dirty Dancin’
Friday, May 19
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover / 21+
Facebook
DJ Popperz brings the music to Dirty Dancin’ at UPROAR Lounge on Friday.
Trans Pride
Saturday, May 20
9:30 a.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite | Website
There is a full day of workshops planned at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday for Trans Pride.
LGBTQ+ Brunch
Saturday, May 20
10 a.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
Hang out with friends new and old at a brunch in Arlington, Va. on Saturday.
Class Act Brunch
Saturday, May 20
Doors 11:30 a.m. / Show 12:30 a.m.
Sign of the Whale
1525 M Street, N.W.
Eventbrite
Tiffany D. Carter hosts the Class Act Drag Brunch at Sign of the Whale on Saturday and Sunday.
PrEP for Pride
Saturday, May 20
12-7 p.m.
4545 Crain Highway
White Plains, Md.
Eventbrite
Head out to Charles County for a day of Pride activities.
Team DC Night OUT at Washington Prodigy Women’s Football
Saturday, May 20
6 p.m.
Anacostia Senior High School
1601 16th Street, N.W.
$10-$15
Tickets
Catch the Washington Prodigy vs. the Tennessee Trojans at a Team DC Night OUT game on Saturday.
The Mx. Tater Tot Pageant
Saturday, May 20
6 p.m.
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
713 8th Street, S.E.
Webstite
DJ Phil Reese spins the tunes as Logan Stone and Tara Hoot find a new Mx. Tater Tot.
Trans Pride After Party
Saturday, May 20
6:30-8:30 p.m.
As You Are
500 8th Street, S.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Trans Pride finishes up with an afterparty on Saturday at As You Are.
Freddie’s Follies
Saturday, May 20
9 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook
The weekly drag show, consistently one of the best in the city, always draws a crowd.
The Bear Cave
Saturday, May 20
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
No cover
Facebook
The Bear Cave features DJ Popperz and dancers Kobra, Ricardo and Marshall on Saturday.
Con Acento
Saturday, May 20
9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Evry Pleasure leads a drag show celebrating hispanic heritage with Domingo, Labianna and Osiris Romanov on Saturday.
Elevate Drag Brunch
Sunday, May 21
11 a.m.
Officina at the Wharf
1120 Maine Avenue, S.W.
$25
Facebook
Chanel Belladonna hosts a drag brunch with Druex Sidora, Citrine and Jasmine Blue at Officina at the Wharf on Sunday.
Equality Prince William Pride
Sunday, May 21
12-4 p.m.
Harris Pavilion
9027 Center Street
Manassas, Va.
Facebook
Meet at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. for Equality Prince William Pride 2023 on Sunday.
The Nail Salon
Sunday, May 21
4:30 p.m. lounge / 6 p.m. curtain
St. Vincent Wine
3212 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$15
Instagram
Check out an evening of queer cabaret at St. Vincent Wine on Sunday.
LGBTQ+ Dinner and Conversation
Sunday, May 21
7-11 p.m.
Federico Ristorante Italiano
219 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
The folks at Go Gay DC invite everyone to meet up at Federico for an evening of dinner and conversation.
DC Rawhides: Country Western Dancing
Sunday, May 21
7-11 p.m.
Eastern Market
225 7th Street, S.E.
Facebook
Practice your country line dancing skills at Eastern Market on Sunday.
Drag Show for Charity
Sunday, May 21
8 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
Join up with others to give money to charity at a drag show at Freddie’s on Sunday.
Reign Drag Variety Show
Monday, May 22
8:30 p.m.
Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W.
Second floor
Logan Stone hosts “Reign” at DIK Bar on Monday.
a&e features
Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more
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).
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
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.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
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.
