Arts & Entertainment
D.C. area teeming with queer New Year’s Eve party options
Ring in 2019 whether you plan to dance into the wee hours of the morning, indulge in an elaborate dinner or celebrate New Year’s Eve in the daytime


Ring in 2019!
Whether you plan to dance into the wee hours of the morning, indulge in an elaborate dinner or celebrate New Year’s Eve in the daytime, there are plenty of local options to customize how you want to ring in 2019.
The Yards D.C. (301 Water St., S.E.) hosts Noon Yards Eve tonight from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Families can ring in the new year early with activities for kids of all ages including a train ride throughout the Yards, inflatable moon bounces, glitter tattoo artists, balloon artistry, music and more. Say hello to 2019 at noon with a balloon drop. Free admission. For more information, visit facebook/com/theyardsdc.
The Imperial Court of Washington hosts its New Years Eve Variety Show at the Barking Dog (4723 Elm St., Bethesda, Md.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Athena, Trace and Chip host the party.Tickets are $80 and includes food, open bar and party favors. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Reign VII Charities. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 10:30 show. For more details, visit facebook.com/imperialcourtdc.
XX+Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) presents MasQUEERade- NYE tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. General admission tickets are $20 and includes a midnight champagne toast. VIP tickets are $65 and include open bar from 10 p.m.-midnight, hors d’oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast. Diamond tickets are $350 and give one table, a bottle of Dom Perignon, four tickets, appetizers and a champagne toast. The Bad and boujee ticket is $500 and includes all of the above for five ticket holders, a private performance and a surprise gift. For more information, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., N.W.) hosts its New Year’s Eve International Global Gala tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be seven party rooms, performances from live bands including Dr. Fu and Herr Metal, Cirque performances, strolling entertainers, karaoke, a midnight balloon drop, appearances from the Washington Nationals’ mascot Teddy and the Washington Capitols mascot Slapshot and more.Tickets range from $119-230. For more information, visit thingstodc.com.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts New Year’s Eve Ball tonight at 7 p.m. The MainStage will feature a performance by Peaches O’Dell and Her Orchestra and the backstage will feature DJ Dredd and Grap Luva. Tickets are $30 for both floors. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.
SAX Restaurant & Lounge (734 11th St., N.W.) presents Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Live Cirque performances will occur throughout the night themed around fire and ice. Attendees can also experience aerialists, choreographed dance sets, lavish costumes, pole performers and go-go dancers. There will be a midnight champagne toast. Tickets include one free drink ticket. Single admission tickets are $50 and couple tickets are $75. For more information, visit facebook.com/saxwdc.
The Mansion on O Street (2020 O St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve masquerade party tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests can enjoy a premium open bar from 10 p.m.-1 a.m., a midnight champagne toast, a chocolate fountain, red carpet photo-op, a kissing booth, party favors, a DJ and more. Tickets are $175. For details, visit omansion.com.
Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts Y2k19 New Year’s Eve Retro Gala tonight from 8 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be multiple floors with different decades of music. The 2000s floor with play Top 40 and EDM. The ‘90s floor with spin boy band/girl group hits, one-hit wonders and house favorites. The Decades of Hip-Hop floor will play hip-hop music from four decades. The rooftop will have a mix of classic house and modern dance. Tickets are $45.59. For more information, visit decadesdc.com.
A-Town Bar and Grill (4100 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, Va.) hosts New Year’s Eve 2019 Masquerade at A-Town tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets range from $25-45. Tables are $300 and include five person entry, one bottle of champagne, 15 drink tickets, two appetizer samples and a private table all night. For more details, visit facebook.com/atownballston.
Madhatter (1319 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts its NYE Ball tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be a DJ, dance floor, party favors and giveaways. Ticket includes five-hour open bar and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75. For more information, visit madhatterdc.com.
Dstrkt Events presents NYE ’19 at Vivid Lounge (1334 U St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be a Ketel One vodka open bar from 9-10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets start at $20. For more details, visit distrktnye.eventbrite.com.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Leather & Lace Ball: New Year’s Eve with Bebe Zahara Benet tonight from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be pop up performances throughout the night by Benet (winner of season one of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3” contestant), Ba’Naka, Sandra O’Nassis Lopez, Brie DeVine, Evon Michelle, Bambi Necole Ferrah and more. Eddie Danger and Reno will go-go dance for the night. At 9 p.m. there will be a VIP meet and greet with Benet. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served all night. Dress cod is leather, lace, rubber or casual sexy chic. DJ Ryan DoubleYou plays music for the night. Tickets range from $17.55-28.16. For more details, visit dceagle.com.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a three-day New Year’s Eve celebration kicking off tonight at 10 p.m. and going 24 hours until Jan. 2 at noon. The lineup, which will be announced at a later date, will include international and local DJs. Tickets give entry to the party all three days and attendees can come and go. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit flashdc.com.
All Hank’s locations will offer special menu items for New Year’s Eve. Hank’s Pasta Bar (600 Montgomery St., Alexandria, Va.) will have a $75 per person tasting menu with items such as lobster bisque and toasted ciabatta crostini, hypo Bibb salad with pear and gorgonzola in a champagne vinaigrette, wild mushroom gnocchi and more. Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town Alexandria (1026 King St., Alexandria, Va.) will include butter poached lobster tail, warm baby octopus salad and more. Hank’s Oyster Bar at the Wharf (701 Wharf St., S.W.) will have surf and turf and stuffed lobster tail and Hank’s Oyster Bar in Capitol Hill (633 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) will have surf and turk and lamb shank. For more details, visit hankspastabar.com or hanksoysterbar.com.

Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Thursday, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)



























2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)










