Out & About
Costume contests, family friendly options, movie screenings among festivities

Region teeming with queer-friendly Halloween events through Oct. 31.
Friday, Oct. 26
Night of the Living Zoo, an adult halloween party, is at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. There will be craft beer, food from popular D.C. food trucks, a costume contest, a DJ and performance artists. General admission tickets are $30 for Friends of the Zoo members and $40 for non-members. Tickets include access to the party, complimentary soda and water, after-hours access to animal houses and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are $65 for Friends of the Zoo members and $90 for non-members. They include an additional drink ticket, VIP express check-in, a private dance floor, bar and lounge, complimentary food tastings from D.C. restaurants, animal demonstrations and more. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events.
BloominGays presents a screening of “Hocus Pocus” at Crispus Attucks Park (Crispus Attucks Ct., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring a blanket or low-to-the-ground chair. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/bloomingdalegays.
XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Charmed tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite vampire slayer, ghost, zombie, witch or mermaid from television. Prizes will be given for categories such as Best Witch and Best Throwback Costume. DJ Honey Johnson will play music. Happy hour pricing is from 10-11 p.m. There will also be food served. Cover is $5. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
The Coven D.C. hosts Otherworld at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Tezrah will play music. For more information, visit facebook.com/thecovendc.
Skin Tight USA and Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) host Pre-Halloween, a cos-play party and costume contest, tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be more than $500 in prizes and raffles. DJ JerrBear and DJ D’Manda Martini will play music. Cover is $5 at the door. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Saturday, Oct. 27
The Ivy Project presents Witches Be Cray, an LGBT Halloween party, at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be a costume contest, giveaways and Halloween games. Drink specials run all night. DJ Electrox and DJ Milko will play music. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/ivyprojectdc.
XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Vamp, a Halloween ladies party, tonight from 10 p.m. -2:30 a.m. Madame Seduction will perform. DJ Mim will spin tracks. There will be craft cocktails and small bites. Cover is $10. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
No Justice No Pride hosts a Halloween and house warming party at its new location (169 Uhland Ter., N.E.) tonight from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. This party is also a fundraiser to provide aid for the transgender community. Costumes are encouraged. There will also be drink specials and DJs. For more details, visit facebook.com/nojusticenopride.
DAR Museum (1776 D St., N.W.) hosts a Victorian Halloween Party today from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The family-friendly party will have treats, tricks and games common during Victorian Halloween. Admission is free. Costumes are optional. For more information, visit facebook.com/darmuseum.
Lindy Promotions celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Halloween bar crawl Nightmare on M Street today from 1-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino hosts the event. Participating bars include Decades, Living Room, Public Bar, Blackfinn Ameripub, Heist and more. Registration is from 1-7 p.m. Tickets range from $15-20 and include cover-free entry to all bars, drink specials, costume contests and more. For more details, visit lindypromo.com.
CTRL hosts Halloqueen, a gay dance party, at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. DJ Claudia, DJ Dvonne, DJ Jeff Prior, DJ Adam Koussari-Amin and more will spin tracks. Donna Slash will give a special performance. There will also be a costume contest. For more information, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.
The Cherry Fund hosts Cherry Horror Halloween at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Paulo Pacheco and DJ Sean Morris will play music. Proceeds from the party will be donated to the Barry D Smythers Fund for Mental Health Awareness. Tickets are $15. For more details, visit facebook.com/cherryfund.
Project D.C. Events hosts its Halloween Crawl today from noon-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. The list of participating bars includes James Hoban’s, The Exchange, Bravo Bravo and more. There will be a costume contest, free raffles and event pictures. Guests will receive a souvenir haunted mug, drink and food specials, cover-free access to bars and more. Tickets are $35 online and $40 day of the event. For more information, visit dchalloweencrawl.com.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Where the Girls Go and Vanniety Kills hosts its OverEasy Season Finale: Scared Straight, a Halloween costume party, at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) today from 3-8 p.m. DJ Keenan Orr, DJ Kryptk and DJ Tezrah will spin tracks. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook/com/wherethegirlsgo.
Augment VR Arcade and Bar (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) presents scary virtual reality experiences today from 2-8 p.m. A team of four can play each other in survival shooter games, a haunted mansion and a zombie killer game. Tickets range from $60-195. For more information, visit augmentarcade.com.
Monday, Oct. 29
D.C. Gaymers hosts Happy Poké-Week at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 7-11 p.m. Attendees can compete in the D.C. Gaymers’ Pokémon League. Attendees can also participate in a costume contest. There will be a raffle with prizes including gaming figures and accessories. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcgaymers.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Queer Girl Movie Night hosts a Halloween edition at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The film will be a campy, B-horror movie featuring queer, female leads. Movie starts at 8 p.m. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Womxn Crush Wednesday: Queering Halloween tonight from 6-10 p.m. This happy hour is for LBT womxn; non-binary femmes, genderqueer and non-gender conforming individuals. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
D.C. Finest hosts Haunted Halloween on 17th St at Barcode (1101 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ LDR, DJ Yazadan and DJ Ivan will spin tracks. Admission is free before midnight. VIP tickets are $15 and include express entry. For more details, visit facebook.com/dcfinestgroup.
Dark & Stormy hosts a Halloween party at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. DJ Kangal, DJ Mindjacket and DJ Hemlock will play electronic, synth-wave, retro, goth, industrial, EBM and dark disco music. Guests with the best costumes will receive free T-shirts. Cover is $5. For more information, visit facebook.com/darkandstormydc.
Out & About
Whitman-Walker to host legal services workshop
Event held virtually and in-person at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center
Whitman Walker Health Center will host a legal services workshop on Tuesday, July 21 at 3 p.m. virtually and in-person at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Attorneys from WWH will give an overview of the free legal services they offer and discuss recent challenges. WWH meets clients where they are to address the issues they are facing, such as:
- Immigration relief based on LGBTQ+/HIV status
- Public benefits, including Social Security Disability denials
- Appealing health insurance denials of Gender Affirming Care
- Name changes and ID Document update
Register online to attend virtually. To attend in person, no registration is required.
Friday, July 17
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, July 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, July 19
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, July 20
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, July 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, July 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, July 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Out & About
Rehoboth’s Aqua to celebrate 20th anniversary Sunday
Event marks culmination of Pride weekend in beach community
Aqua Bar & Grill in Rehoboth Beach will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sunday, July 19 from 2-7 p.m. DJ Biff will entertain the crowd; there will be complimentary birthday cake and surprise guests.
The event marks the culmination of Pride weekend in Rehoboth Beach, which runs all weekend with panel discussions, parties, and more.
