Bars & Parties
Last chance to wear white
Bare’s White Party set for Saturday at Cobalt

Sticklers for fashion etiquette have one more chance to don their white duds and celebrate the end of summer on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Bare’s White Party, hosted by LURe events at Cobalt.
Noting the old fashion faux pas that “you can’t wear white after Labor Day,” LURe organizers decided the event would be an ideal opportunity to wear white before summer’s heat fades and etiquette dictates darker attire.
Karen Diehl, one of LURe’s organizers, attended white parties all over the United States and wanted to bring the concept to the D.C. area.
“I thought this would be something new and different,” she said.
Though the events are independent, white parties are held annually in New York, Miami and Palm Springs. The Miami White Party, now in its 26th year, is a weeklong event touted as “the world’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser.” Diehl hopes that D.C.’s White Party will become an annual event.
Bare, the monthly ladies’ night hosted by LURe, began in December 2008. It takes place every third Saturday at Cobalt at the corner of 17th and R streets, N.W.
While approximately 600 people attend the monthly Bare events, Diehl expects about 800 attendees for the White Party. “We firmly believe in word-of-mouth … people find out and tell their friends,” she said.
Go-go dancers will warm up the dance floor while attendees enjoy tunes from DJ Rosie, the local DJ known for spinning HRC’s “L Word” premiere parties. She will be joined by DJ Keenan, another Cobalt regular.
Wearing white isn’t just a way to fit in at the party. The best-dressed guests win free drink tickets and white shirts are a must for the evening’s wet T-shirt contest. Two celebrity guests will award the $200 grand prize to the contest winner at 1 a.m.
The identity of the two celebrities will not be revealed until the doors open at 9 p.m., when LURe will update its Twitter account with their identities.
Thirsty party-goers will be happy to find drink specials throughout the evening. “For all my lesbian beer drinkers, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., we have $1 beers,” Diehl said.
Absolut Vodka will give guests an opportunity to test out its newest flavor: Berry Acai. In addition to the popular acai berry, the vodka also features blueberry and pomegranate. Berry bombs, made with the new flavor, will be $5, as will the more traditional Absolut and Red Bulls.
Arriving early has its advantages as the $10 cover turns to $13 at midnight. Guests can dance, drink and socialize until 3 a.m.
Diehl predicts that the inaugural event will be a fun way to say goodbye to summer.
“We have a lot going on all at the same time. It’s gonna be a little crazy.”
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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