June is Pride Month, and while Capital Pride might be over, queers still have plenty of fun things to do every night and much to celebrate (like today’s big news, perhaps you’ve heard?). Though we’ve already focused on queer bars in the area, this week we are highlighting LGBTQ Nightlife. On any given night, there are plenty of events upholding the stereotype that us queers love a party.
Via Facebook.
GAY/BASH: Gay/Bash, hosted every month at Black Cat, is the most alternative queer party in D.C. DJs Dean Sullivan and Donna Slash play whatever they feel like, so expect to hear a mix of electro, pop, and Rob Zombie. Backed by some of the finest drag performers in the city like Heidi Glüm, Rumor Millz, and Pussy Noir, Gay/Bash is eccentric, in your face, and a hell of a lot of fun. Ke$ha was so impressed she invited the Gay/Bash drag crew to be back-up dancers at her Black Cat gig. — Rohan Mahadevan
Black Cat is located at 1811 14th St NW.
Mixtape: Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer throw one of the longest-running queer dance parties in the city. Since 2008, Mixtape is always a blast whether it is at the 9:30 Club, Black Cat, or Howard Theatre. The music is a blend of everything the DJs taste and is always unpredictable. When not DJing the party, Van Horn throws Dark & Stormy at the Black Cat and Bailer has a long running 90’s dance party at DC9, Peach Pit. — Rohan Mahadevan
Check here for more information and the party schedule.
CTRL: CTRL is the little party that could. Like a lot of alternative queer parties, CTRL got its start at the small venue Dalak, then moved to Cobalt and now has a home at Town. Hosted by DJs Devon, Adam, and Jeff, the party remains a must-attend event with various themes, guest DJs, and a host of unforgettable moments. This week’s theme is Red, White, and Blue(Balls) and it is sure to be a killer time. — Rohan Mahadevan
Town is located at 2009 8th Street NW.
Photo via Facebook.
GLITTHER: Queer lady throwdown glittHER has been a staple since the days of She-Rex (RIP) and the party celebrates its second birthday at Zeba Bar this weekend, with resident DJ DeeDub on the decks and all the glitter your crevices can handle—all at no cover. Think: glitterfication stations, glitter photo booth, and half-price pizza! Try not to ingest the glitter. — Alex DB
Zeba Bar is located at 3423 14th Street NW.
BEAR HAPPY HOUR AT TOWN: Town is usually an overpriced shit-show of an experience, but Bear Happy Hour is a must on Friday evenings. Bears for those uninitiated are usually bigger, hairier men, but if you aren’t a bear, don’t be scared away. You can get cheap pitchers of beer (for solo drinking) and, if you’re lucky/quick, free pizza! — Rohan Mahadevan
Town is located at 2009 8th Street NW.
BUTCH QUEEN: Butch Queen is new to the block, but it has been making waves. The “(kinda-sorta) bi-monthly party” at Tropicalia doesn’t play the usual top 40 and remix fare, but skews more rap, house, and trap. Tropicalia is a perfect underground setting for twerking to all the classic Trina and Khia tracks. When not at Tropicalia, the Butch Queen DJs are known to do other events around the city as well. — Rohan Mahadevan
Check here for more information and party schedule.
OTTER CROSSING: Otters are like bears, but typically skinnier, so Otter Den DC throws a monthly party at Green Lantern to celebrate. With a revolving cast of DJs and themes, most recently a celebration of the bathhouse, be sure to check it out the first Friday of every month. — Rohan Mahadevan
Green Lantern is located at 1335 Green Court NW.
Photo by Erin.
SUNDAYS AT DACHA: As noted in a recent Washington City Paper article, gay bars aren’t the only source for queer nightlife in the area. Dacha Beer Garden has become an unofficial gay hangout, especially on Sunday afternoons/evening. It is a great place to have a drink after brunch, and see all of the people you might have swiped right or left on Tinder. — Rohan Mahadevan
Dacha is located at 1600 7th Street NW.
OVEREASY—LADIES TEA DANCE: What’s better than drinking on a Sunday? OverEasy is a long running ladies Tea Dance on Sunday afternoons at Dodge City with DJ Wiilo, DJ India, and Alex DB providing the soundtrack. No cover, no regrets, plenty of time after to go home and contemplate your life before Monday. — Rohan Mahadevan
Dodge City is located at 917 U Street NW.
D.I.K. Bar Karaoke: Nestled above Dupont Italian Kitchen, D.I.K Bar hosts karaoke every Friday and Saturday night, and it is a blast. Some have great voices, others do not, but it’s a judgement-free zone. With a deep catalogue of old tracks, new tracks, and a shit ton of show tunes. You can always find the perfect song. — Rohan Mahadevan
D.I.K. Bar is located at 1637 17th Street NW.
NUMBER 9 BOGO HAPPY HOUR: Number 9 is one of the classiest gay bars in the city. The lounge feel makes it a perfect after work destination. If the atmosphere isn’t a reason to go, the happy hour sure is. Like other bars on the list, Number 9 has BOGO. But unlike competitors, 9’s BOGO goes until 9 p.m., but if you still have drink tickets, those last until 10. The happy hour is not limited to any specific drink, so you can experiment with any of their signature cocktails. — Rohan Mahadevan
Number 9 is located at 1435 P Street NW.
SEE SOME DICK: If the internet isn’t cutting it for you, D.C. has a male “strip” club, Ziegfeld’s Secrets, that can satiate your imagination. Naked dancers shake it on boxes, the bar, and sometimes in the shower room, visible through a window behind the bar. The club is a bitch to get to, but it’s always there if you dare. — Rohan Mahadevan
Ziegfeld’s Secrets is located at 1824 Half Street SW.
Photo by Clif Burns.
NELLIE’S SMART ASS TRIVIA: Ever want to feel really smart or really stupid? Well Smart Ass Trivia every Wednesday night is the perfect place to get a real high or a real low. The five-round trivia is one of the speediest in the city, with two games, one at 8 p.m. and another at 9 p.m. Prizes range from bar tabs to buckets of beer and occasional concert tickets. Bring your smarts, as it can get hard real fast (dick joke intended). — Rohan Mahadevan
Nellie’s is located at 900 U Street NW
DANCEHALL @ PHASE1: DJ Ego and Phase One bring you a night of nonstop dancehall, soca, and reggae Saturdays in its recently-reopened Eastern Market location. If you missed the first installment in May, or haven’t been back since before the closing and renovation, this is an excellent opportunity to check it out. — Alex DB
Phase1 is located at 525 8th Street SE.
GRINDERING/SCRUFFING/TINDERING WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE: Queers have it great when it comes to getting some on demand. There are a plethora of hook-up apps that can bring people to your home, job, back alley, or anywhere you can imagine. If going out isn’t your thing, a great way to spend a night chatting (and hooking up if that’s your thing) is from an app. Who knows who you might find in this city. (+10 if you find a closeted Republican lawmaker). — Rohan Mahadevan
This can be done anywhere with internet.
