Bars & Parties

Calendar Aug. 3-9, 2018

Parties, happy hours, social gatherings and more for the week ahead

Published

7 years ago

August 2, 2018

LGBT events DC, gay news, Washington Blade

A work by Japanese artist Yuki Hiyama on display this month at Touchstone Gallery. An opening reception for the show is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. at the gallery. (Image courtesy Touchstone Gallery)

FRIDAY, AUG. 3

The seventh annual Chesapeake Bay Balloon and Wine Festival is today, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Triple Creek Winery (11138 3 Bridge Branch Rd., Cordova, Md.). There will be 25 hot air balloons with tethered balloon rides and flights available. The festival is kid-friendly. Live entertainment, food and craft vendors, and Triple Creek wines will be featured. Tickets include balloon glow, which will take place each evening, a tasting of six different wines, a wine glass and more. Adult tickets are $31 Friday, $36 Saturday and $16 Sunday. Children ages 6-15 are $5 each day, and children 5 or younger are free. To purchase tickets, visit balloonfestival.ticketspice.com. No refunds are available for tickets. For more information, visit triplecreekwinery.com.

Bear Happy Hour is at UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant (639 Florida Ave. N.W.) tonight from 5-10 p.m. Hosted by D.C. Bear Crue, all are welcome and are invited to “come as you are.” Rail cocktails and draft pitchers (Bud Light and Shock Top) are $5 until 10 p.m. Free appetizers will be handed out throughout the night and food will be available for purchase. For more information, go here.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.) hosts Woof! Happy Hour tonight from 5-11 p.m. There is no cover charge until 9:30. After 9:30, only guests 18 and over will be admitted. There will be free pizza at 7:30. Drink specials include $4 Rail/Well drinks until 11, $4 Bud Light bottles and all draft beers until 10, and $9 draft pitchers until 10. Parking is limited and guests should not park in front of the bar by the strip mall to avoid being towed. For more information, go here.

OutWrite 2018, an LGBT literature non-profit festival, hosts its kickoff event “Laughing Out Loud” tonight at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave. N.W.) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This evening of literary comedy with Michelle Tea is hosted by Chelsea Shorte and features sets by Anthony Oakes and Camille Roberts. The event is on the second floor of the building and is only accessible by stairs. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Details here.

SATURDAY, AUG. 4

Yoga Garden is at The Midlands (3333 Georgia Ave. N.W.) today at 10 a.m. There will be a one-hour vinyasa flow session followed by drinks. Tickets are $16.82 with tax and include yoga and Dogfish Head beer. They can be purchased through Eventbrite.

City Winery (1350 Okie St. N.E.) hosts World of Rosé on the Rooftop today from 2-5 p.m. The event is general admission for guests 21 and over. Led by City Winery’s beverage director Vanessa Phillips, over 50 sparkling and still Rosé examples will be poured from each major wine-producing region. There will be different tasting stations all around the rooftop. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at citywinery.com.

Gay Latino Tropical Night is tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St. N.W.). Hosted by Rumba Latina, the night will feature drink specials and is jungle-themed. For more information, visit gogaydc.org.

SUNDAY, AUG. 5

SUBMERGE: a summer Pride pool party is today from 2-8 p.m. at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.) on the rooftop. There will be a pool and a full bar. Tickets are $18 for pre-sale and $25 at the door. They can be purchased through Eventbrite and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Tickets include drink specials and towel service. DJ RVSSLL will be spinning. Seating and cabanas will be limited. All are welcome and the event will be body positive, inclusive and respectful of diversity. The rooftop is ADA wheelchair accessible.

Busboys and Poets (14th and V St. N.W.) hosts *SPARKLE*, a queer open-mic poetry reading, tonight from 8-10 p.m. Regie Cabico, producer of international queer poetry slam “Capturing Fire” and National Poetry Slam award-winning spoken word poet, hosts. The cover charge is $5. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at busboysandpoets.com or in the bookstore (cash only). Ticket purchases are limited to four per person, and guests must have their wristbands on to enter the event. No refunds are offered. For more information, visit gogaydc.com.

Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.) hosts a Zodiac Drag Contest tonight from 8-10 p.m. The monthly amateur drag competition is hosted by Ophelia Bottoms. No cover charge is necessary to watch, but contestants will accept tips. The winner receives the zodiac sign title for the date and will be judged by audience applause. Tonight’s winner will be dubbed Miss Leo 2018 and will receive $50 and a slot in the final competition next May. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.

MONDAY, AUG. 6

D.C. Gay Board Gamers Group meets tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Soho Tea and Coffee (2150 P St. N.W.). Gamers are welcome to bring a game to share and are encouraged to patronize the host coffee shop. There is a $1 fee for attendance. For more information, go here.

TUESDAY, AUG. 7

The Congressional Chorus is holding tenor and bass auditions today at the chorus offices (733 8th Street N.W., Suite G303), one block away from the Gallery Place Metro stop. To reserve an audition time, contact David Simmons at [email protected].

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W.) hosts a safer sex kit packing party tonight from 7-9 p.m. The HIV Working Group will be packing safe sex kits for distribution at LGBT spaces around D.C. Volunteers are welcome. For more information, go here.

Prime Timers, a social group for older gay and bi men, meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Hi-Tide Lounge (101 N. Union St., Alexandria, Va.). Details at gogaydc.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Trio Bistro (17th and Q St. N.W.), near the Dupont Circle Metro. The members will be discussing Stephen McCauley’s “My Ex-Life.” Newcomers are always welcome to attend. For more information and to RSVP, email [email protected].

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. S.E.), across from the Marine barracks, to play duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. For a partner, call 202-841-0279.

Lez Read, a lesbian book group through Politics and Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse (5015 Connecticut Ave. N.W.), hosts a lesbian book discussion tonight from 7:30-10 p.m. The meeting will be in The Den, the coffeeshop downstairs from the book store. The group reads a wide variety of books on lesbian and queer themes by lesbian or queer-identifying writers. It is not necessary to have read the book in advance before attendance. For more information, go here.

THURSDAY, AUG. 9

The Highwaymen’s Hot Jock Night is at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd. N.E.) tonight from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. There will be a Hot Jock Contest with prizes like tickets to events, jocks, toys and hankies. Draft beer at the club bar is $3 and Jell-O shots are $2 or three for $5. For more information, go here.

The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has its Chamber Connect event tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Graham Hotel in Georgetown (1075 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W.). State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Va.) will attend and provide remarks. Details here.

Up Next

Calendar: Aug. 10-16, 2018

Don't Miss

Tom Goss comes home

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 week 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.

Arts & Entertainment

D.C. bars step up to offer discounts for fed’l employees

Deals, freebies, events, and happy hours galore

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2025

Evan Caplan

Bunker is offering free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

(Editor’s note: This list was compiled on Wednesday afternoon and is not meant to be comprehensive. If you would like to add your bar’s specials, please email [email protected].)

As the federal government comes to a standstill, the DMV restaurant and bar community has come to the aid of furloughed workers, who suddenly have plenty of time on their hands. More than a handful of spots are offering deals, discounts, freebies, events, and more. Many do require an identification to validate employment status. Plus, this shutdown looks like it’s here to stay for some time, so take advantage.

Franklin Hall: This sports bar on Florida Avenue is kicking off the shutdown hard: offering $6 Mixed Drinks, Canned Beers, and “furloughed Shooters” – as well as a free food buffet 4PM-6PM.

Carmine’s, located downtown, is offering steep discounts – $5 meatball sliders, and $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again” and “The Essential Worker.” Carmine’s specifically noted that the specials are open to all, not just affected workers.

Compass Coffee is offering a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street is offering a long happy hour – from 3 p.m. to close with wine specials, plus discounted fries and snacks.

Union Pub is providing steeply cheap beer ($3), alongside discounted hot dogs.

Two locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving up all-day happy hour at the bar, along with $2.50 oysters and a percent off checks for federal workers.

Boqueria DC is giving federal workers with ID happy hour pricing all day long: meaning cheaper sangria, wine, beer, and lots of tapas.

Osteria Morini in D.C. is offering a “Federal Employee Appreciation Special” with $15 pastas for federal employees; Cucina Morini has $10 “primi pastas.”

Duke’s Grocery is offering a complimentary drink: A free shot of bourbon or a glass of house wine when you buy any burger or entrée. Plus, there are $5 select beers.

Thompson Restaurants is offering all government employees 20% off their bill by showing a valid government ID. The offer spans 11 of Thompson’s restaurant brands and more than 65 locations across the DMV, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more.

Shaw’s Tavern: $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 Deep Eddy, $10 burger and pizza, with ID.

LGBTQ BARS

Crush: This bar is offering a “Pouring it forward” event with a free vodka hour, 10-11 p.m. this Friday.

Number Nine is offering $9 cocktails all night after 9 p.m.

Bunker has free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend.

District Eagle offers 30% off drinks for anyone with government, contractor, or military IDs this weekend.

Kiki has free Deep Eddy happy hour 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Her Diner offers all-night drink specials with ID.

Bars & Parties

Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16

Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

Published

6 months ago

May 8, 2025

Staff reports

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff (right) with Rep. Sarah McBride at the 2024 Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.

This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.