Arts & Entertainment
Nightlife Guide
LGBT-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants in the D.C. area
WASHINGTON, DC
30 Degrees
[map]
1639 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-462-6569
In Dupont Circle area; popular with men but check schedule for other events.
Annie’s
[map]
1609 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-0395
In Dupont Circle area; popular longtime restaurant and steakhouse with recently renovated Upstairs Lounge.
Bachelor’s Mill
[map]
1104 8th St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-544-1931
Longtime bar popular with African-American men in Capitol Hill area.
Banana Café
[map]
500 8th St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-5906
bananacafedc.com
Popular Capitol Hill area restaurant and bar (Eastern Market Metro) for both men and women. Features Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine.
Cobalt
[map]
1639 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-462-6569
cobaltdc.com
In Dupont Circle area; part of complex of LGBT businesses at this address, including Level One restaurant on street level and 30 Degrees bar.
Crew Club
[map]
1321 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-319-1333
crewclub.net
Men’s 24-hour gym in Logan Circle area, featuring steam rooms, lounges, private dressing rooms and more.
DC Eagle
3701 Benning Road NE
Washington, DC 20019
202-347-6025
dceagle.com
The popular Levi/leather bar’s origins date to the 1960s. Features billiards, regular tournaments and other special events.
DIK Bar
[map]
1637 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-328-0100
dupontitaliankitchen.com
In Dupont Circle area, above Dupont Italian Kitchen.
Duplex Diner
[map]
2004 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-265-9599
duplexdiner.com
Popular restaurant and bar in the Adams Morgan area; happy hour specials and many other special events. See web site for updated schedule.
Fireplace
[map]
2161 P St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-293-1293
In Dupont Circle area; neighborhood bar popular with men.
Green Lantern
[map]
1335 Green Court, NW
Washington, DC 20005
greenlanterndc.com
twitter.com/greenlanterndc
Friendly bar for men hosts regular happy hours and special events, including karaoke and shirtless drink special nights. Check web site for details. McPherson Square Metro.
JR.’s
[map]
1519 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-328-0090
jrswdc.com
Longtime friendly Dupont Circle area bar popular with men; videos, regular special events.
Larry’s Lounge
[map]
1836 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-483-1483
Dupont Circle area bar and restaurant popular with both men and women.
Nellie’s Sports Bar
[map]
900 U St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-332-6355
nelliessportsbar.com
Sports bar featuring poker events, drag bingo, trivia contests and other specials. Popular bar with massive outdoor deck and plenty of TVs for watching sports.
Town Danceboutique
[map]
2009 8th St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-234-TOWN
towndc.com
Dance club and bar popular with men and women, features regular drag performances. U Street Metro.
Ultra bar
[map]
911 F St., NW
Washington, DC 20004
ultrabardc.com
twitter.com/UltraBar
Large dance club with gay-friendly events and vibe located downtown near Metro Center.
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets
[map]
1824 Half St., SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-863-0670
secretsdc.com
Featuring all-nude male dancers Wednesdays-Sundays, drag performances, large dance floor and many regular special events, contests and more. Large parking lot available; located in Buzzard’s Point warehouse district.
BALTIMORE
1722
[map]
1722 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Multi-level after-hours dance club attracts a mixed crowd but remains gay-friendly.
Drinkery
[map]
205 W. Read St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-225-3100
Another of Baltimore’s friendly neighborhood bars in Mount Vernon featuring billiards, jukebox and welcoming service.
Gallery
[map]
1735 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-539-6965
Longtime bar and restaurant popular with African-American clientele.
Grand Central
[map]
1001 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-752-7133
centralstationpub.com
Large entertainment complex featuring friendly pub, lesbian bar Sappho’s upstairs and a dance club on the first floor.
Sapphos
[map]
1001 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-752-7133
centralstationpub.com
Part of the Grand Central complex, Sappho’s attracts a lesbian crowd and offers comfy couches, outdoor patio and more in its second floor location.
ARLINGTON, VA
Freddie’s Beach Bar
[map]
555 23rd St. South
Arlington, VA 22202
703-685-0555
Freddie Lutz’s Virginia establishment includes a restaurant and friendly bar, regular specials and is popular with men and women. Crystal City Metro.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Andy Cohen coming to D.C.
Want to dance for a good cause?
Calendar: May 3-9
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HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Pride season has begun
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
