To quote one of the most famous classic songs sung by Ella Fitzgerald: “The big question comes in advance: What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?”
That’s the problem now. There are only a few weeks left until the new year. If you’re still not sure where and how you’ll be heading into 2025, time is of the essence. With that in mind, we researched the local LGBTQ scene and created a guide to help you plan your night of celebration.
Gay bars dominate the list, but if you want to liven up your 2025 with live music, consider a good mix of concert venues featuring queer and queer-friendly music artists. If you want to start the new year somewhere new, you’re in luck thanks to several venues opening in 2024.
9:30 Club
815 V Street NW
202-265-0930
www.930.com
Doors open at 9pm for late concerts starting after 10pm, tickets are $55. Alternative country band 49 Winchester, formed 10 years ago in rural western Virginia, will be joining forces with two more up-and-coming country acts in 2025, buzzing teen artist Biker Blankenship and Grammy-winning songwriter Aaron Rye. The concert begins with a concert supported by Thiers. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
The Anthem
901 Wharf Street SW
202-888-0020
www.theanthemdc.com
“Spaced Out: New Year’s Eve at The Anthem” begins with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and continues for more than four hours of performances from 8 p.m. until just after midnight. Dubbed a “Space Psychedelia Spectacle,” the night’s mini-festival, where audiences are encouraged to come dressed in their “best clothes on earth,” will feature pop/rock/jazz multi-genre Sammy Ray and the Friends. I will be the headliner. A septet fronted by a charismatic female singer-songwriter who identifies as queer and bisexual. Two of the three support acts have strong ties to D.C., including Jukebox the Ghost, a band formed among students attending George Washington University, and Capital Pride regulars Funky D.C. Bass Including the indie soul septet Oh He Dead. Tickets range from $75 to $125.
As You Are Bar
500 8th Street SE
202-506-1440
www.asyouaredc.com
The third annual “New Queer Eve” will be held from 10pm to 2am, with complimentary champagne provided at midnight. Music is DJ Bite Back. No cover. 21+ only.
atlantis
2047 9th St. NW
202-579-9950
www.theatlantis.com
“ABBA Inspired Dance Party” Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Includes a complimentary champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Tickets are $55.
The Birchmere
3701 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia
703-549-7500
www.birchmere.com
Progressive bluegrass legends Seldom Scene, a quintet formed in Bethesda nearly 60 years ago, have been Birchmere’s resident annual hosts for many years. They will win this honor again in 2024 with two full sets. Food and drinks from the regular menu will be served tableside as usual. The box office and bar will open at 5 p.m., the music hall and kitchen will open at 6 p.m., and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at tables by row number. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $49.50.
black cat
1811 14th St. NW
202-667-4490
www.blackcatdc.com
“2024 New Year’s Eve Swing Ball” presented by Peaches Odell and Her Big Band Orchestra will open at 8 p.m., with performances beginning after 10 p.m. Tickets are $35. There is no dress code. 21+ only.
bunker
2001 14th St. NW
www.bunkerdc.com
“Studio 69: Gilded Gala” is billed as a “vibrant queer black-and-gold-themed celebration.” [evoking] The glitz and glamor of the iconic Studio 54. sugar from rupaul’s drag race will be hosted by DC’s DJ Fish House Funk and New York’s Joey With The Mustache, who will lead guests into a “disco fever dream.” Doors open at 9pm and extend closing until 5am Tickets are $40 for general admission and $99 for VIP admission. 21+ only.
crash dance bar
2007 14th St. NW
202-290-1254
www.crushbardc.com
New Year’s Eve party with music by DJ Matt Bailer and Baxter. Opens at 5pm, no cover until 9pm, $20 after that. Closes at 4 a.m. for those 21 and older only.
DC9
1940 NW 9th Avenue
202-483-5000
www.dc9.club
“New Year’s Eve: The Last Dance 2025” includes complimentary champagne at midnight, plus party favors and complimentary coat checks throughout the night. Behind the decks will be DJ LEMZ and Bill Spieler. Doors open at 10 p.m. Coverage is $55 to $85. 21+ only.
flash
645 Florida Avenue NW
202-827-8791
www.flashdc.com
“Brand New Day VIII” is an epic 30+ hour music marathon featuring 22 different DJs behind the decks including Enamour, Heather Luna, Liquid Earth, Jay Tripwire, and LOUDR to name a few . Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $60 on New Year’s Eve before 8 a.m. January 1st and $30 on New Year’s Day only after 7 a.m. A two-day pass is $70. 21+ only.
Freddy’s Beach Bar
555 23rd St.S.
703-685-0555
www.Freddy’s Beach Bar.com
Freddy’s Follies Drag Show begins at 9:45 p.m., with karaoke beginning after the midnight ball drop. Includes complimentary champagne, noise maker, party hat, and favors. Doors open at 4pm, showtime is 9:45pm. Coverage fee is $25. 21+ only.
green lantern
1335 Green Center Northwest
202-347-4533
www.greenlanterndc.com
“NYE Midnight Madness” begins at 9pm with sexy go-go dancers and music from DJ Popperz. Includes midnight merrymaking, party favors, noise makers, balloon drops, and more. There is no dress code, but the clothing theme is “the sexier the better, from tuxedos to jocks.” It opens at 4pm and has happy hour downstairs until 8pm. No cover overnight. 21+ only.
her diner
2004 18th St. NW
202-204-1761
www.herdiner.com
Partygoers will enjoy complimentary champagne cocktails at midnight. Music by DJ Clamzon and Zemi will rotate two sets for the event. Doors open at 6pm for dine-in customers. The party starts at 9pm and tickets are $15. 21+ only.
Hook Hall & Capital Pride
3400 Georgia Avenue NW
202-629-4339
www.hookhole.com
Capital Pride’s Rainbow Masquerade offers all ticket holders access to an open bar with dessert and light snacks with a midnight champagne toast. There will be performances by drag queens and “aerial” dancers throughout the night, accompanied by music by DJ AAVE. General admission is $99 (use code CAPPRIDE when ordering to get a $25 ticket; or Click this link discount will be applied automatically). VIP tickets start at $199.99 for the “Pride Privilege Pass,” which allows early entry at 9 p.m. and includes one “Welcome Bubble” drink followed by a premium open bar, plus access to a private lounge area. The top two VIP levels offer table seating and include a ‘premium welcome bottle’ of alcohol with two chasers/mixers, each limited to 10 pieces, intended for purchase by groups of friends. The party will run from 10pm to 2am, with a portion of the proceeds going to Capital and World Pride. 21+ only.
JR.’s Bar & Grill
1519 17th St. NW
202-328-009
www.jrsbar-dc.com
“NYE Party Countdown to 2025: Thru the Decades” will feature the best hits of the past year and decades, selected by DJs Jason Royce and Darryl Strickland. Pop-up drag performance by Andromeda, Silverware Sidra, Sirene Noir Sidra Jackson, Every Pleasure and host Citrine. There will also be games where you can win drink prizes. Opens at 4pm. No cover all night. 21+ only.
Kiki
915 U Street NW
www.dcwannahaveakiki.com
Enjoy a toast to the New Year with complimentary champagne at midnight. Happy hour offers $6 house cocktails. Other drink specials include 32-ounce deep eddy buckets of vodka and espresso martinis for $16 each. DJ Alvamp performs the hits of 2024. The drag show is hosted by Pirouette and features Jasmine St. James and Kiki’s Donna. It opens at 5:30 p.m. for extended happy hour, followed by a drag show at 10:30 p.m. No cover all night. 21+ only.
Rally’s Lounge
1836 18th St. NW
202-483-1483
www.facebook.com/LarrysLoungeDC
Complimentary champagne will be provided at midnight. Drinks in any flavor of Larry’s Rum Punch or Deep Eddy Vodka for $6. Opens at 4pm. No cover all night. 21+ only.
lincoln theater
1215 U Street NW
202-888-0550
www.thelincolndc.com
The White Ford Broncos, “DC’s all-90s band,” will be the featured entertainment. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m., concert tickets start at 10:30 p.m. and cost $55.
number nine
1435 P St. NW
202-986-0999
www.numberninedc.com
The downstairs restaurant opens at 5pm and has a 2-4-1 special on all drinks until 7pm (redemption until 8pm). No cover. Toast with champagne at midnight. 21+ only.
Pitcher/Your own league
2317 18th St. NW.
202-733-2568
www.pitchersbardc.com
The Pitcher’s Perfect NYE Party will feature a midnight toast, party favors, a DJ, and more. All levels open. No cover open at 8 p.m. 21+ only.
red bear brewing
209 M St. NE
202-849-6130
www.redbear.beer
New Year’s costume party. Tickets include a midnight champagne toast and a buffet with hearty hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a balloon drop with prizes to be won in early 2025. Music is by DJ OG Bri. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $40. 21+ only.
sinners and saints
2309 18th St. NW
Benefits include one drink and a champagne toast at midnight. Enjoy 33% off all drinks during happy hour from 8-9 p.m. Additional drink specials include $5 shots all night. Open bar from 8pm to 1am is $40 and premium open bar is $50. Music by Catman Duo, a local DJ group playing pop tunes, house tracks, and hit remixes. Covers range from $10 to $20. 21+ only.
Thirst Lounge
2204 14th St. NW
202-478-6717
www.thurstlounge.com
Complimentary champagne at midnight, plus noise makers and party hats. Music by DJ Tryfe. No cover. 21+ only.
tinsel & tonic
1341 14th St. NW
www.tinselandtonicdc.com
Created by the folks at Wonder Garten, this holiday pop-up bar is located in the former Barrel House Liquors space on 14th Street. Festive holiday drinks are available for purchase, from spiked hot cocoa to peppermint espresso martinis to old-fashioned gingerbread. Includes a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Music by DJ Ruben. No cover from 5pm to 1am. 21+ only.
trade
1410 14th St.N
202-986-1094
www.tradebardc.com
Balloon drops and prizes. Free toasts at midnight – as in “literal toasts”. Drag queens Eunique Nooyork and Davasa Christie will host the event. The music is Wested. No cover open at 5 p.m. 21+ only.
Wunder Garten
1101 1st St.NE
www.wundergartendc.com
Free champagne toast service. Music by DJ Hank. Festive holiday drink and beer specials. Open at 4pm DJ dance party kicks off at 8pm. No cover. 21+ only.
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Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
