Arts & Entertainment
Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Nightlife
Winners from the Blade’s readers poll
To see the winners of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers poll in other categories, clickĀ here.
Best Outside-the-District Bar
Freddieās Beach Bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
555 23rd St.
South Arlington, Va.
703-685-0555
Runner-up: Club Hippo
Baltimore
Best Rehoboth Bar
Blue Moon
Runner-up: Purple Parrot
Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
After more than 30 years of entertaining crowds of tourists and locals alike, the Blue Moon is an iconic presence on Baltimore Avenue. The restaurant side of the building serves up some of the best food in town, while the bar side is busy year round. From the friendly bartenders ā Matt, Chandler, Rich and others ā to the lineup of entertainment, which includes Cashetta, Mona Lotts and, of course, the Queen of Rehoboth, Pamala Stanley, thereās always an energetic and welcoming vibe at the Moon. (KN)
Blue Moon
35 Baltimore Ave.
302-227-6515
Best Happy Hour
Bear Happy Hour at Town
Bear Happy Hour at Town Danceboutique (Washington Blade photo by Jon Wooten)
Fridays from 6-10 p.m.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St., N.W.
202-234-8696
Runner-up: Nellieās Sports Bar
Best Place to Meet Men
Nellieās Sports Bar
Nellie’s Sports Bar (Washington Blade photo by Lee Whitman)
900 U St., N.W.
202-332-6355
Runner-up: JR.ās
Best Drag Show
Ladies of Town
Runner-up: D.C. Kings
Ladies of Town (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The Ladies of Town perform cabaret style every Friday and Saturday night downstairs at 10:30 p.m. and feature many of the most well-known and established drag queens in the D.C. area. The cast is Lena Lett, Shi-Queeta-Lee, BaāNaka, Tatianna and Epiphany B. Lee. The Ladies of Town also won this award in 2008, 2011 and 2012. (JD)
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St. N.W.
202-234-8696
Best Place to Meet Women
Phase 1
Phase 1 (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
525 8th St. S.E.
202-544-6831
Runner-up: Ladies Tea at Hankās Oyster Bar
Best Gay-Friendly Straight Bar
Dacha Beer Garden
Runner-up: Stoneyās
Dacha Beer Garden (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Beer lovers rejoice. This beer garden, located in the Shaw neighborhood, is perfect for expanding your beer palate. If youāre feeling adventurous you can even order a boot of beer ā exactly what the name suggests. (MC)
Dacha Beer Garden
1600 7th St., N.W.
202-524-8790
Best Live Music
9:30 Club
9:30 Club (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
815 V St. N.W.
202-265-0930
Runner-up: Black Cat
Best Neighborhood Bar
JR.ās
JR.’s (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
1519 17th St., N.W.
202-328-0090
Runner-up: Nellieās Sports Bar
Best Menās Party
Mixtape
Runner-up: Bear Happy Hour at Town
Mixtape (Photo by David Claypool | kaloramaphoto.com)
Mixtape, which celebrated its sixth anniversary last month, wins this category again this year after last winning in 2012. The monthly dance party, where DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer spin āanything you can dance toā has its third annual Mixtape Halloween Bash Oct. 31 at the Howard Theatre (620 T St. N.W.). Doors open at midnight and tickets are $10. (JD)
Mixtape
Locations vary
Best Womenās Party
Phasefest
Runner-up: Bare by LURe
Phasefest (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
Best Alt Party
GAY/BASH!
The Black Cat
1811 14th St., N.W.
Joshua Vogelsong of GAY/BASH! (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Next event is Halloween Freak Show Saturday night, a queer night of rock and pop gems with DJs Dean Sullivan and Josh Vogelsong and performances by Heidi Glum and Rumor Millz. Doors open 10 p.m. Cover is $5. Tickets available at the door or at blackcatdc.com. GAY/BASH! also won this prize last year. (JD)
Runner-up: Otter Crossing
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier returns bigger than everĀ with two-day WorldPride celebration
The Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this yearās event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before ā all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nationās capital.
With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].
Saturdayās signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation ā one of D.C. Prideās most anticipated spectacles.
āWeāre expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,ā said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. āItās a celebration of our communityās progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.ā
Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the cityās annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.
Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.
Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.
Event Details:
š Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
š
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
š„ļøBoat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). š Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
šļø VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering,Ā Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com
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