Bars & Parties

Phase 1 owner says community has final say on bar’s future

Business ‘a little slow’ since reopening

Published

10 years ago

August 27, 2015

Joey DiGuglielmo

Allen Carroll (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Allen Carroll (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Phase 1 owner Allen Carroll says business at Phase 1 has been “a little slow” since he reopened the lesbian club in March.

Open Thursdays through Saturdays only, Carroll says it will ultimately be up to the community to decide if it wants Phase 1 to continue.

“I don’t really know if the girls still want their own club,” he says. “I don’t want to close, but the girls have got to support it. I’ve always been there for the women. I don’t fully get it. We’ve been there through good times and bad times.”

Carroll says five of his previous staffers returned when he reopened. He also says property tax increases have not been an issue as some have speculated.

“I pay my taxes, you can look it up,” he says. “People have said we can’t afford to be on this street anymore. I said, ‘Hell, I’ve been here 45 years, I ain’t going anywhere.’ I’ll be 74 in November, so I don’t care,” he says. “I mean I would love to see them keep their own bar. Some girl just on Friday night told me, they say, ‘We hear all this stuff on,’ on what is it, Facebook? And they say, ‘Allen, you’re the only one, we need to get it out there that you have supported us since 1970.’ I try my best. … I feel hurt about it, but that’s life.”

He says there’s “no animosity” toward former Phase 1 manager Angela Lombardi.

“We never had words or anything,” he says. “But we haven’t talked. She’s doing her own thing now.”

Lombardi says she wishes Phase 1 well.

“I’m not mad about anything,” she says. “Whatever Allen felt he needed to do, good for him. I hope it stays open for another 40 years. … I know the struggle. I fought for a long time to try to make it all work so all I can say is good luck to whomever is doing my job now.”

Carroll says Phase 1 is “my baby.”

“I’ve seen so many girls’ clubs open and close, open and close, they always come back to the Phase,” he says. “I hope the girls want to keep it. It really comes down to them. There’s only so much I can do.”

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Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(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.

Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

Published

2 weeks ago

November 28, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

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.

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

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.