Bars & Parties

20 LGBTQ events June 11

Published

3 years ago

June 11, 2023

The Capital Pride Festival is today. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Happy Pride! Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do today (Sunday, June 11) in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community. The biggest item on the list is the Capital Pride Festival today.

Capital Pride Official Afterhours Presented by Cherry Fund

Sunday, June 11
3:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
Flash
645 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$50
Eventbrite

The Cherry Fund presents the Capital Pride Official Afterhours in the wee hours of the morning at Flash from 3:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Unhinged Pride

Sunday, June 11
3:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
Some tier 2 priority entry tickets available (includes clothes check) at $50
Tickets

Party early into the morning at Bunker at Unhinged Pride from 3:30 a.m.-9 a.m. There are some tier 2 priority entry tickets available (includes clothes check) at $50 on Bunker’s website.

Class Act Drag Brunch

Sunday, June 11
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sign of the Whale
1825 M Street, N.W.
$0-$100
Eventbrite

Wake up to Tiffany D. Carter leading the Class Act Drag Brunch at Sign of the Whale today.

Elevate Drag Brunch: Pride Edition

Sunday, June 11
11 a.m. seating
Officina at the Wharf
1120 Maine Avenue, S.W.
$25
Eventbrite

The Elevate Drag Brunch: Pride Edition has seatings at 11 a.m. this morning at Officina at the Wharf. Dabatha Christie hosts a show featuring Dustyn Dawn, Christina Doll, Nubia Love Jackson and Baphomette.

Brewed Up Drag Brunch

Sunday, June 11
12 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
$25
Eventbrite

Desiree Dik hosts the Brewed Up Drag Brunch Pride Brunch today at noon. Performers include Sweet Pickles, Thea Trickality, Laronica Vegas, Ricky Rosé.

Capital Pride Festival and Concert

*The Capital Pride Festival draws giant crowds. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)*

Sunday, June 11
12-10 p.m. (Concert 1-8 p.m. / Sunset Dance Party 8-10 p.m.)
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Free (A few VIP tickets are available close to the Festival Stage for $55)
Website

The Capital Pride Alliance presents the 2023 Capital Pride Festival today from noon until 10 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The event is free and open to the public, but you can purchase VIP passes from Capital Pride’s website to get closer to the stage for the concert. The Pride Concert is held from 1-8 p.m. with a Sunset Dance Party from 8-10 p.m.

Pride Fest Pregame

Sunday, June 11
12-4 p.m.
Dirty Habit DC
555 8th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Head over to the Dirty Habit DC for the Pride Fest Pregame party on today from noon to 4 p.m.

Shi-Queeta Lee’s Illusion Drag Brunch

Sunday, June 11
12-2 p.m.
H Street Country Club
1335 H Street, N.E.
$50
Eventbrite

Famed drag artist Shi-Queeta Lee headlines the Illusion Drag Brunch at H Street Country Club today from noon to 2.

Nellie’s Pride Drag Brunch

Sunday, June 11
1 p.m.
Nellie’s Sports Bar
900 U Street, N.W.
$50
Eventbrite

Nellie’s Sports Bar holds the Nellie’s Pride Brunch today at 1 p.m.

Pride Tea Dance

Sunday, June 11
1-5 p.m.
Republic Restoratives Distillery
1369 New York Avenue, N.E.
$10
Eventbrite

LGBTQ-owned Republic Restoratives Distillery is holding a Pride Tea Dance on today from 1-5 p.m.

Pride Artisan Market

Sunday, June 11
2-5 p.m.
Capitol Cider House
3930 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Free
Eventbrite

The Pride Artisan Market is free and open to the public at Capitol Cider House from, 2-5 p.m. this afternoon.

Sunday Funday: Pride Week

Sunday, June 11
2 p.m.
The Dirty Goose
913 U Street, N.W.
Instagram

The Dirty Goose holds a Sunday Funday: Pride Week party starting at 2 p.m. this afternoon.

früt Tea Dance

Sunday, June 11
3 p.m.
Kiki
910 U Street, N.W.
Instagram

Kiki holds the früt Tea Dance starting at 3 p.m. this afternoon with DJ Lemz and DJ Jaxknife.

PRIDE Beer Bust

Sunday, June 11
3-9 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Facebook

UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant has a rooftop Pride Beer Bust from 3-9 p.m. today with music from DJ Mike Babbitt.

Sunday, June 11
4 p.m.
Puro Gusto Cafe
1345 F Street, N.W.
Eventbrite

Go Gay DC hosts an LGBTQ+ Social today at 4 p.m. at Puro Gusto Cafe.

La Loca Pride Edition

Sunday, June 11
7 p.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
$10
Tickets

Celebrate Latinx culture at La Loca Pride Edition today starting at 7 p.m. at Bunker.

Pride in the Sky with Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

Sunday, June 11
8 p.m.
Hotel Zena
1155 14th Street, N.W.
$35-$75
Eventbrite

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Vanessa Vanjie Mateo attends Pride in the Sky at Hotel Zena tonight.

Sunday Service at DC9: Charm City Takeover

Sunday, June 11
8 p.m.
DC9 Nightclub
1940 9th Street, N.W.
Instagram

Experience the drag variety review with special guest host Pariah Sinclair tonight at 8 p.m. at DC9 Nightclub.

Davon Hamilton Events/Impulse DC Pride Close-Out Party

Sunday, June 11
10 p.m.-3 a.m.
Sachi Nightclub
727 15th Street, N.W.
$0-$100
Eventbrite

Davon Hamilton Events and Impulse Group DC join forces to produce the DC Pride Close-Out Party on late tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday morning at Sachi Nightclub.

KINETIC: DiscoVERS with DJ Alexis Tucci

Sunday, June 11
10 p.m.-3 a.m.
Sax Restaurant
734 11th Street, N.W.
$40-$70
Facebook | Eventbrite

KINETIC Pride events conclude with KINETIC: DiscoVERS with DJ Alexis Tucci tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday morning at Sax Restaurant.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

a&e features

Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties

Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more

Published

2 weeks ago

December 26, 2025

Evan Caplan

Trade leans into a shark motif with its NYE plans. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

4 weeks ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

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

Published

1 month ago

November 28, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Thurst Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.