Bars & Parties
Wedding receptions with style
You’ve popped the question, walked the aisle and now it’s time to pop the Champagne. But where to hold your reception on the big day in D.C.?
If you’re looking for a hotel ballroom, the city offers plenty of options, from traditional to trendy. There are a few things to keep in mind when considering hotel reception spaces.
Find out how many events your location of choice holds so you can be sure you won’t be hurried out once your allotted time is over. Map out the spaces for your special moments like the first dance, the wedding cake cutting, seating, etc., and make sure there is enough space to accommodate your guests. If you are using the in-house caterer make sure the kitchen is equipped for any special menu items you may have planned. Some hotels have decor restrictions, so make sure you ask about furniture rearranging and ask to see photos of prior wedding receptions to inspire a few ideas.
Below are just a handful of area hotels ready to host same-sex wedding receptions when gay nuptials become legal, which is expected to happen in early March.
The Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., has wedding planning down to a science. From invitations and wedding cakes to spa and beauty services, the Four Seasons can help ease the stress of planning a wedding. With original wedding packages or a package of your own design, the wedding consultants offer their expert assistance so you can enjoy your day with confidence. The Four Seasons features a sunlit, sophisticated space that occupies more than 13,400 square feet, including a terrace overlooking the C&O Canal.
The Madison, a Loews Hotel, 1177 15th St., N.W., is ready to help make memories that last a lifetime. The Madison recently added 1,500 square feet of new banquet space, which has created a total space of 12,000 square feet that will accommodate most any guest list. The expert event planners will help create the wedding of your dreams, along with amenities such as a fitness center and spa services to cater to your every need.
W Hotel, 515 15th St., N.W., “where historic Italian Renaissance meets modern cool” offers 12,000 square feet of event space that will make your wedding nothing less than spectacular. The Altitude, the rooftop ballroom at the W, would be a perfect location with its gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a backdrop of the nation’s most important landmarks. The expert event planners will work magic so your wedding day wishes come true in style.
Founded in 1981, the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants that are acknowledged as an industry pioneer and leaders in the boutique hotel concept. The Kimpton Hotel Group occupies five locations in the Dupont and Logan Circle areas plus two additional locations within sight of the National Mall and the U.S. Capital. For a truly memorable wedding experience consider Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St., N.W. The Hotel Palomar is urban art gallery meets chic boutique hotel that will amaze your guests. The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of reception space, including the ultra stylish Phillips Room, named for the nearby Phillips Collection. The Phillips Room can accommodate up to 300 guests.
Other national hotel chains are also catering to same-sex couples in Washington. The Marriott and Renaissance Hotel chains offer 10 properties in the area, including the historic Mayflower. For a list of Marriott’s area hotels and information on booking a reception, visit dcmarriottweddings.com.
Other friendly options to consider when looking for reception space:
The Fairmont
2401 M St., N.W.
202-429-2400
fairmont.com/washington
The Fairfax at Embassy Row
2100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
202-293-2100
starwoodhotels.com
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
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
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.
Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.
Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.
Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.
Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.
Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.
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