Bars & Parties
New Year’s Eve party options abound in D.C. and beyond
Major events planned at the Yards, Town, Lucky Strike and more

The Yards (355 Water St., S.E.) presents a family-friendly countdown from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can enjoy a trackless train ride through the Yards, face painting, balloon artistry, music and more. Admission is free.
Xavier Entertainment hosts New Years Eve Time Square, a gay men’s New Year’s Eve party, at Karma DC (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be two DJs, live entertainment and a complimentary champagne toast. General admission tickets are $20. VIP tickets are $40 and include VIP cutline entry all night, entry to the VIP section, a light buffet and coat check.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party at 9 p.m. Trixie Mattel, Tatianna, Banaka and Riley Knoxx will perform in the drag show at 9:30 p.m. Lena Lotts hosts the show. Tickets are $35. Guests not attending the party will be allowed into the club at 11 p.m. DJ Ed Bailey and DJ Joe Gauthreaux will play music upstairs. Admission for the after the show is $25.
The Qrew and Tagg Magazine host Cosmic Q Year’s Eve, a ladies New Year’s Eve party, at Lucky Strike (701 7th St., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. DJ Jai Syncere and DJ Tezrah will spin tracks all night. There will be gift bags for the first 150 people, a complimentary champagne toast, free food, happy hour specials, free D.C. Brau Beer and games. General admission tickets are $25 and include a free buffet from 10-11 p.m. and champagne toast. VIP tables are $385 and include four tickets, buffet, one bottle or beer tower, bottomless spinach/salsa dip and tortilla chips and champagne toast. The Ultimate VIP Package includes the tickets, two reserved bowling lanes, an exclusive VIP lounge, complimentary bottle of red wine and everything else in the VIP table package.
BKE hosts three New Year’s Eve parties this year. First is the New Year’s Eve Fashion Gala at the St. Gregory Hotel (2033 M St., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Festivities begin at 9 p.m. with a live band performing in the lobby. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of Prosecco and the opportunity to take red carpet photos with fashion models wearing outfits featuring local designer brands. The ballroom opens at 10 p.m. for the party with music from DJ Vito Lee. Individual tickets are $54 and includes two complimentary glasses of Prosecco, one on the red carpet and one at midnight. The dinner package is $159 and includes a three-course dinner, a complimentary glass of Prosecco and a complimentary midnight toast. Couples dinner and VIP hotel suite package is $150 and offers a three-course dinner, luxury hotel suite, complimentary bottle of Prosecco in room, two glasses of complimentary sparkling wine with dinner and New Year’s Day brunch for two.
Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala will be at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Rd., N.W.) from 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Each ballroom will represent an international DJ with music entertainment including DJs, a jazz orchestra, Latin salsa band, Caribbean island band and an Irish band. There will be an open bar, two midnight balloon drops, karaoke and party favors. Presidential tickets are $249 and offer 7:30 p.m. admission, a cocktail reception and appetizers and a three-course sit-down dinner with dessert buffet. Ambassador Level tickets are $205 and offer the dinner and dessert buffet with 9 p.m. admission. Post-dinner admission is $110 and gives access to the party. Dinner not included.
New Year’s Eve at the Pandora Seafood House and Bar (36 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md.) is from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets are $128.74 for the three-course dinner and four-hour open bar. Tickets are $70.68 for just the open bar. Admission is $33.72 for entry with cash bar and a midnight toast.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts its New Year’s Eve Ball at 7 p.m. Peaches O’Dell & Her Orchestra and Tony Anthony & His Malvivants will perform on the main stage. DJ Dredd will spin tracks on the backstage. Tickets are $30.
Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) presents New Year’s Eve Blowout at 8 p.m. with an all night open bar, limited appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. DJs will play on the first and second floor. Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 day of show.
Lindy Promotions hosts its New Year’s Eve party at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 9 p.m. EDM DJ Vice will perform. There will be a five-hour premium open bar, dinner buffet from 9-11 p.m., complimentary party favors, champagne toast and a balloon drop. General admission tickets are $99. Premiere VIP Access tickets are $119 and include an additional 30-minute open bar. VIP ticket packages range from $139-159 and offer reserved tables, early admission and an extra 30-minute open bar.
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets (1824 Half Street, S.W.) has a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. featuring naked dancers, party favors, champagne and a cash balloon drop at midnight.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a New Year’s Eve party at 10 p.m. featuring performances from Archie Hamilton, Chez Damier, Eddie C, M.A.N.D.Y., Matthew Dear, Punisher and more. Tickets range from $50-60.
Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) presents “Back II the Future,” a retro gala, at 8 p.m. The party will feature ‘80s music and a complimentary bar from 8-9 p.m. Tickets are $40.
Lighthouse D.C. hosts Gatsby Gala, a New Year’s Eve charity benefit, at Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th St., N.W.) from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. All proceeds benefit homeless and low-income families transitioning to affordable housing. There will be an open bar, food, a live jazz band, swing lessons, dance and costume competitions and more. Tickets start at $121.
Bars & Parties
MIXTAPE returns Jan. 4

“MIXTAPE with DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn” will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. at the Atlantis.
This event is D.C.’s legendary LGBTQ dance party. Founded in 2008 by DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, MIXTAPE quickly became a staple of the city’s queer nightlife, bringing together a vibrant crowd of music lovers, dancers, and everyone in between. Known for its eclectic blend of indie, house, nudisco, and throwbacks, MIXTAPE creates a unique, inclusive experience that brings people back to the dance floor time and again.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Atlantis website.
Bars & Parties
Ring in the New Year with Capital Pride
Rainbow Masquerade features drag shows, aerial silk performances

Capital Pride will host “Rainbow Masquerade NYE Party” on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. at 3400 Georgia Ave. NW.
There will be an all-night open bar, midnight Champagne, drag shows and aerial silk performances. There will also be dessert and midnight snack tables and themed photo ops.
To get tickets and a discount (Code: CAPPRIDE for $25 off), visit Capital Pride’s website.

Capital Pride/World Pride will host Rainbow Masquerade at Hook Hall, a New Year’s Eve party featuring drag shows, silk aerial acts, private lounges and the venue’s Hot Tub Cabana. According to Brandon Bayton, Capital Pride executive producer, “Step into the Fabric of Freedom and toast World Pride 2025 in style—where every moment sparkles, every performance dazzles and every toast makes a difference. It’s going to be an amazing night!”
The party is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave., N.W. Proceeds benefit Capital Pride D.C. and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
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