What are good gay bars in Washington DC, and how do i get there from the Metro?

Question

I'm going to be in Washington DC for a few nights (Wed-Sun) and don't know where the good gay bars are. Where should I go, and on which nights? Also, are they easy to find from the Metro stops?

Answer 1

Depends on what you mean by "good." Most of the big gay dance clubs have recently shut down to make way for the new stadium so if you want a big dance club, you'll probably end up in a place with a mixed crowd. Try Home on 9th and F Street NW. If you want a medium sized place that is always packed, and has a dance floor and DJ but isn't entirely a dance club, try JR's on 17th and P NW, or Cobalt on 17th and S NW. JR's gets a slightly younger crowd but both attract a lot of young "pretty" boys. Older crowds turn up at Windows on 17th and R or thereabouts. I don't know much about which night of the week to go where because I'm a straight girl; I just have a ton of gay friends!

I'd recommend when you arrive, pick up a Washington City Paper at any Metro station (it comes out on Thursday so they might be out on the following Wednesday; if so, just go back the next day) and a Blade, also free, can be found at many metro stations inside the city, don't remember what day it comes out. Most of the gay bars and gay-friendly bars are within a couple blocks of the Metro and most of them are actually in the DuPont Circle neighborhood--- you could just head out for dinner in DuPont and ask around for recommendations.

If you're going into other neighborhoods outside of DuPont Circle, check with your hotel front desk before leaving to see how hard it is to get a cab back from that neighborhood. There's a bunch of bars opening up on H Street NE--- easy to get a cab there, impossible to come back--- you might need to change your plans so you can catch the last train back, then stop somewhere for a nightcap closer to your hotel. Better than being stranded in Capitol Hill!

So what I would recommend for you... start off with dinner and drinks in the DuPont area; any restaurant on Connecticut Ave north of the Circle would be a good choice. Know exactly what you're looking for--- dance club, quiet cocktail lounge, young crowd, old crowd, bear bar, etc--- and ask the waiter.

Also try to catch Drag Brunch at Perry's on 18th and Columbia on Sunday morning--- great place to see and be seen, good food and the performers are top-notch!