Bars & Parties
Calendar: April 11-17
Center groups, parties, exhibits and more for the week ahead
Kelly Mantle from the current season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is at Town Saturday night. (Photo courtesy Mantle)
Calendar for the week ahead in LGBT D.C. events:
Friday, April 11
Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) hosts “Bear Happy Hour” tonight from 6-10 p.m. There will be $4 rail drinks, $3 draft pints, $7 draft PBR pitchers and more. For more details, visit rockandrollhoteldc.com.
Siren hosts its fourth annual “Robyn Riot” at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be an open vodka bar from 10-11 p.m. Music will be mostly Robyn with a few other artists mixed in. DJ Majr, DJ Delia Volla and DJ Sam Blodgett will spin tracks with a performance by Pussy Noir. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Women in Their 20s, a social discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all women interested in women, meets today at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 8-9:30 p.m. All welcome to join. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Number Nine (1435 P St., N.W.) hosts a happy hour today from 5-9 p.m. All drinks are half price. Admission is free. For more information, visit numberninedc.com.
Saturday, April 12
Washington Humane Society hosts “Fashion for Paws Eighth Annual Runway Show” at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., N.W.) tonight from 8 p.m.-midnight. Cocktail attire is required. Dinner begins at 8 p.m. and the runway show starts at 9:15 p.m. Tickets start at $100.
Kelly Mantel from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season six comes to Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11 p.m. Drinks are $3 before 11 p.m. The drag show starts at 10 p.m.
“Pink and Drink,” a Dupont Circle bar crawl, returns today from 1-9 p.m. There will be music, raffles and prizes. Drink specials include $4 pink 52 shots, $3 Finlandia Vodka drinks, $3 Southern Comfort and more. Wear pink to help raise breast cancer awareness. Participating bars include The Front Page (1333 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.), Rumors (1900 M St., N.W.) and many more. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. Tickets are $15. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pinkanddrink.com.
Countdown to Yuri’s Night, a commemoration of Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s historic first manned space flight, is tonight at 8 p.m. at Anacostia Arts Center (1231 Good Hope Road, S.E.). Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Shuttle service will be provided to the Eastern Market and Anacostia Metro stations free. Visit c2yn.com for details.
Sunday, April 13
Special Agent Galactica performs with guitarist Peter Fields at Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Galactica mixes music with anecdotes about her life and people she has met as a cadet. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit shawstavern.com.
Chick Chat, a lesbian 50-and-over singles group, tours the Cylbum Arboretum (4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore) today from 2-3 p.m. To RSVP, email [email protected]. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Sunday Drag Brunch” today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For more details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a drag brunch today with two shows at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Monday, April 14
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts poker night tonight at 8 p.m. Win prizes. Free to play. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Tuesday, April 15
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts its weekly ”FUK!T Packing Party” from 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit thedccenter.org or greenlanterndc.com.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts a MENA discussion forum today at 6:30 p.m. The panel discussion topic is LGBT issues in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, April 16
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, call 301-345-1571.
The D.C. Center hosts “Woman to Woman,” a support group for HIV-positive women who love women, today at the Women’s Collective (1331 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) from 5:30-7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts free and confidential HIV testing today from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay literature group, discusses two novellas by Allan Gurganus, “Preservation News” and “He’s One, Too” at 7:30 p.m. tonight at AFSA headquarters (2101 E St., N.W.). All welcome. Visit bookmendc.blogspot.com for details.
Thursday, April 17
Whitman-Walker Health presents “Be the Care,” its annual spring affair, at National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Jeffrey Crowley, program director of the National HIV/AIDS Initiative at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, will be presented with the “Partner for Life” award. There will be a cocktail reception. NBC 4 news anchor Pat Lawson Muse will emcee the event. Tickets start at $75. For more details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly Poly Discussion Group at 7 p.m. People of all different stages are invited to discuss polyamory and other consensual non-monogamous relationships. This event is for newcomers, people in established polyamorous relationships and open to folks of all sexual orientations. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Center and Professionals in the City host speed dating for women in their 20s and 30s at Finn and Porter located inside the Embassy Suites Hotel (900 10th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. Dating is approximately one hour. After enjoy a mixer with fellow speed daters. Cash bar. Check in is at 7 p.m. and dating begins at 7:20 p.m. Complimentary valet parking offered to anyone who purchases two drinks or other items from the bar or restaurant. Cost is $30. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
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.
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