Black gay bars in washington dc
Longtime DMV residents Brandon Burke and Shaun Mykals were attracted to the Jet and queer history of D.C.’s U Street aisle, and realized the investment potential in adding to the booming artistic and nightlife landscape and legacy. That’s why Burke and Mykals created Thurst Lounge, the only Black-owned LGBTQIA+ lounge in D.C.
Located at 2204 14th St NW, Thurst Lounge is scheduled to open in first Decemeber.
Nightlife Experience and Collective Awareness
Originally from Albany, Recent York, Mykals relocated to the D.C. area after graduating college. Even before coming to the District, Mykals was a frequent partygoer, and continued that trend once checking out D.C.’s nightlife.
“I experienced it at a time where I could be a part of Black LGBTQIA+ audiences, there’s not a lot of spaces that exist like that now,” Mykals told The Informer.
Burke, a Baltimore native, currently resides in the District and, like Mykals, spent a lot of moment partying throughout the nation’s capital.
“I’ve been a part of the D.C. nightlife since 2002 and it eventually led me to meet and become friends with Shaun, and then into creating [the event] ‘Thursday Bliss.’”
For Burke and Mykal
20 LGBTQ+ Bars to Check Out in Washington, DC
The nation's capital is residence to a lively LGBTQ+ nightlife scene with plenty of gay and sapphic 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, stimulating community with plenty of bars and clubs to opt from when it’s time to imbibe, dance and compete. Read up on some of our favorite LGBTQ+-friendly spots below.
Let’s acquire a … you get it. Amass 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. Appear 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 Dwelling is Crush, a retro-inspired cocktail lounge and entertainment mecca for anyone and everyone. Event highlights include all-day gleeful hour Tuesday
Gay bars. Ask any member of the LGBTQIA people to tell you a story about one and they’ll regale you with memories. Good ones, poor ones, wild ones, heartfelt ones—because for decades, these spaces have been homes to a community. They ushered us into adulthood; they provided sanctuary to be ourselves. We mourn them like family members after they’re gone.
But “everything closes,” as formerly local author June Thomas summed up at her publication talk earlier this month. So if everything is ephemeral, what makes same-sex attracted bars so special?
The stories of these spaces are interwoven with our individual and collective histories. And in D.C. that history runs deep. According to the Rainbow History Project’s archives, more than 200 gays bars have position up shop in the District since the 1920s—decades before June 28, 1969, when the Stonewall Riots marked an essential turning point in the same-sex attracted rights movement.
“The reason Event exists,” says Ed Bailey, a well-known local DJ and gay nightlife entrepreneur, is “because there was a bar where a thing happened. It’s not like it’s surprising it happened at a exclude. Of course it happened at a bar. Because that’s where everyone was, right?
About Number 9
Number Nine is a two story, indoor-outdoor, lounge and video bar in the heart of Logan Circle. We have been expose and and serving the LGBTIQIA people since 2010. Our cocktail menu is quite extensive with over 20 brands of vodka and multiple types of Mojitos. Our content hours are quite popular and nighttime gets even busier with djs playing music videos on the second floor. Outside, we contain an expanded patio area that now includes a huge streatery and cocktail servers.
We are proud to state that we were just named 2022 BEST GAY Exclude IN DC in the annual "Best of DC" rivalry in the Washington Blade newspaper.
General Information
All seating both indoor and out is first come, first serve. (We do not hold reservations for seating.)
Number Nine is 21 and over at all times.
DC's Best Happy Hour - All Drinks Are 2 For 1
Monday through Friday, If you buy your first drink before 7pm, your second imbibe is FREE until 8pm!
Buy ANY drink from the time we unwrap until 7pm, Monday - Friday, and vour second refreshment is FREE. And you can redeem your receipt for your free refreshment until 8pm.
This is good for any drink...from our signature