Gay bars in washington dc
20 LGBTQ+ Bars to Check Out in Washington, DC
The nation's capital is abode to a lively LGBTQ+ nightlife scene with plenty of gay and female homosexual bars just waiting for you to join in on the fun.
The diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community is growing by the day, resulting in a dynamic, electrifying community with plenty of bars and clubs to opt from when it’s time to brew , dance and perform. Read up on some of our favorite LGBTQ+-friendly spots below.
Let’s own a … you get it. Assemble all your girls, gays and theys to kiki all night on U Street. With four rooms of varied vibes, outdoor spaces and DJs that never miss, Kiki lives up to its name. Enter for the joyful hour, stay for the weekly events.
At 14th and U, DC’s first booze-free LGBTQ+ bar is lighting up the sober scene with mocktails, music and plenty of main-character energy. Spark kickstarts the day with coffee, pastries and cafe charm, then turns it up at sundown with DJs, drag trivia and zero-proof cocktails that pack a punch.
Next door to Spark Social Property is Crush, a retro-inspired cocktail lounge and entertainment mecca for anyone and everyone. Event highlights include all-d
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This corner spot in Columbia Heights was once the site of Nob Hill, a popular African American gay bar. Nob Hill operated from 1957 to 2004, and, according to the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), which documented the site in 2016, this longevity made it "the oldest continuously-operating LGBTQ nightlife establishments in the District and one of the oldest gay bars in the country." Thus, Nob Hill has been called the "granddaddy of black gay clubs."
The 1920s era building housed a dry cleaner/laundry prior to Nob Hill opening. Despite formally opening as a bar in 1957, Nob Hill initially served as a private social club starting in about 1953. The social club, like the bar, catered to gay African American men. Many Howard University students would frequent Nob Hill, as the bar served an important function. At the time of its opening, the city was still very much racially segregated, and this extended to nightlife and entertainment. Therefore, LGBTQ+ African Americans established their own social spaces, particulary along 7th and 14th streets NW near Howard University.
In addition to Nob Hill, there was The Cozy Corner at 708 Florida Avenue NW. Later on, in the 197
As You Are is home! Please come in and visit. AYA offers coffee, food, drinks & FREE WiFi.
Safety & Cultural Standards:
-AYA checks all bags at the door during highlight hours. Self defense objects, weapons, drugs, outside sustenance & outside drink are prohibited. Some of these items can be held with Safety Management and retrieved upon departure of AYA.
-We check all IDs before serving alcoholic beverages. There will not be service without physical presentation of a valid, government issued ID.
-After 9pm daily the establishment is 21+ only. Prior to 9pm As You Are is open to ALL ages.
-Enthusiastic consent is mandatory in all cases
-Respect & affirm identies, boundaries, & pronouns
-Celebrate & respect LGBTQIA+ culture
Covid precautions: We are requiring masks when patrons are walking through the territory and ordering at the bars. We have masks on hand if people do not have one. We ask that you hang on to them so we can store it to one per person and provide them to as many people as possible. Bringing a mask from home is also helpful in spreading the love. We will be masked and negative tests are required before all shifts.
ACCESSIBILITY:
- ASL translation provided for e
Prior to 1960
Leading up to 1960 the LGBT community faced a number of discriminatory acts from federal and local government. Congress passed a law outlawing sodomy in D.C. Under the Lavender Scare the federal government fired lgbtq+ individuals en masse.
Despite this, there were a number of LGBT spaces across D.C. to provide society and support. , one of D.C.'s longest continuously operating gay bars and one of the oldest African-American lgbtq+ bars in the country, opened in 1957.
These weren't wholly guarded places, however. were both raided by the Metropolitan Police Department's Vice Squad.
The '60s
LGBT activism moved more to the public forefront starting in the 1960s. The Mattachine Culture of Washington, which assisted federal employees and residents targeted for their sexuality, was formed. The Washington Blade, America’s oldest LGBT newspaper, began in 1969. More clubs, publications, and services catered directly to the LGBT community.
Barracks Row became an important part of the LGBT community. was the 'first gay-owned lock to offer gay dancing', essentially breaking the owner prohibit on dancing. also contributed