Bars & Parties
LGBT events calendar: July 6-12, 2018
Westminster Pride, Mr. & Miss DC Royale Pageant among week’s highlights
Mesma Belsare, a trans South-Asian dancer, will perform as guest artist with Dakshina at its 15th annual Festival of South Asian Arts on Saturday night. (Photo by Kateryna Odyntsov; courtesy Dakshina)
FRIDAY, JULY 6
NOVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals hosts a Happy Hour Social this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pinzimini Lounge in Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va.). Go Gay D.C. leader TJ Flavell will be there to greet everyone. There are opportunities to meet professionals in a variety of fields and industries. There is no cover fee and everyone is welcome. For more information, visit gogaydc.org.
The DC Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105) hosts a transgender discussion group tonight at 7 p.m. The peer-facilitated discussion group is open to members of the transgender community, partners, friends and allies.
The District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St. N.W.) holds an LGBTQ Erev Shabbat service beginning at 8 p.m. tonight in the community room. An Oneg Shabbat social hour follows the service with dessert, coffee and soft drinks.
Gay District hosts a men’s discussion group tonight at 8:30 at the D.C. Center’s Reeves Building. Gay men between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to attend and participate in this facilitated group discussion. After the meeting, members will often go out for dinner together in the surrounding neighborhood. For more information, visit gaydistrict.org.
SATURDAY, JULY 7
The Westminster Pride Festival is today in Westminster (56 W. Main St., Westminster, Md.) from noon- 5 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/events.
Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.) hosts poker from 1-3 p.m. today. The World Tavern Poker Tournaments are free and a gift certificate prize goes to the winner. There is never a buy-in and each game is free. To get extra chips by registering in advance, visit worldtavernpoker.com.
JR’s Bar & Grill (1519 17th St. N.W.) hosts showtunes happy hour tonight from 5-9 p.m.
Mr. & Miss DC Royale Pageant is at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.) tonight from 6-10 p.m. The 2018 crown will be awarded and 2017 DC Royales Xavier Bottoms and Ophelia Bottoms. For more information, go here.
Dakshina, a gay-helmed local dance outfit, hosts the 15th annual Festival of South Asian Arts tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. N.E.). Featured artists include Madhavi Mudgal Dance Company and Nadhi Thekkek. Tickets are $35 per person and $20 for children and seniors. For tickets, go here.
Independence Day Weekend bar night is tonight at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.). Mr. D.C. Eagle 2018 Daniel Ferguson will be there and Thudd Thumper is on bootblack duty. Free red, white and blue Jell-O shots are available for guests wearing red, white or blue. A DILF party is at the main bar. There is a $10 cover charge for the party and advance tickets online are $8. For more information, go here.
Rumba Latina at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.) celebrates its ninth anniversary of Boys in Heels at 10 p.m. tonight. DJs Manny El Demente and DJ Madscience will spin music. There will also be performances by divas of Rumba Latina and hot go-go dancers. Drink specials will run all night.
SUNDAY, JULY 8
Freddie’s Fabulous Champagne Brunch is today at 10 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.). Tickets are $24.99 and the brunch comes with up to four champagne or mimosas, one Bloody Mary, or coffee, soda or juice. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
Shi-Queeta Lee hosts Shi-Queeta’s Palace Chateau Remix Drag Brunch today at 11 a.m. at the Chateau Remix Event Center (3439 Benning Rd. N.E.). There is an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and the first mimosa or Zing Zang Bloody Mary is free. Tickets are $40.
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Camelot” will be performed at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. N.W.) today at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $59-110. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shakespearetheatre.org.
Sunday Funday is at JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St. N.W.) from 4 p.m.-midnight tonight. Skyy highballs and Coors Light bottles are each $3.
MONDAY, JULY 9
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105) hosts a coffee drop-in for older LGBT adults and friends today at 10 a.m. There is no age restriction, but an ID or license is required to get into the building.
Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S, Arlington, Va.) hosts Pasta Monday beginning at 4 p.m. Pasta dishes are half-priced. Happy hour specials are from 4-8 p.m. and karaoke is from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
The DC GLBT Board Gamers group is hosting a board gamers meetup tonight at 6 p.m. at Soho Tea & Coffee (2150 P St. N.W.). Attendees are welcome to bring a game to share. There is a $1 fee for attendees.
TUESDAY, JULY 10
Twilight Tuesday is at Penthouse Pool Club (1612 U St. N.W.) at 7 p.m. tonight. Guests must be 21 to enter with a valid government ID. RSVP is required at Eventbrite.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
The Capital Classics series at Landmark’s West End Cinema (2301 M St. N.W.) continues today with screenings of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” There are shows at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children and seniors. Advance tickets and more information can be found at landmarktheatres.com.
The Ask Rayceen Show is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center (1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.). Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free. The event is a game show, #AskRayceen Squares, which features special celebrity guests. There will be live music by Nia Simmons, burlesque by Uma Hurtman and DJ MIM will be spinning. Free catered food while supplies last is available for early arrivals, and snacks, soda and water will be available for $1 each. There will be a cash bar with drinks for $5 each. For more information, go here.
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Trio Bistro (17 St. & Q St. N.W.). Members will discuss “The House of Impossible Beauties” by Joseph Cassara. Newcomers are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected].
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. S.E.) for Duplicate Bridge. No reservations are required and newcomers are welcome. If you need a partner, call 202-841-0279.
THURSDAY, JULY 12
The Ugly Mug (723 8th St. S.E.) and District Karaoke host Pride karaoke tonight at 7 p.m. There are Tex-Mex Thursday food and drink specials all night, including $8 nachos and quesadillas, $4 Pacifico drafts, and $6 margaritas.
“Hamilton” is at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. There is a four-ticket limit per household. Tickets can either be mailed or picked up at the box office. Ticket price ranges from $199-625 each, and when available, standing room tickets may be purchased for $49 starting two hours prior to curtain. Forty $10 orchestra seats are offered at all performances. For tickets, visit the only official website at kennedy-center.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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