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| From the top: PHASE 1, FREDDIE’S Beach bar and APEX (Blade photos by Henry Linser) |
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HOME > OUT IN DC > BEST OF GAY DC
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Dining | People | Community | Nightlife
Since the displacement of the O Street warehouse clubs to make way for the new baseball stadium, the District’s gay dance options have been severely limited. Luckily, Apex is still going strong to prove that gay men will never lose their penchant for a giant dance floor and a good beat.
Apex’s most established regular event is Thursday’s college night. Boys with a college ID get in for free, and men who love them gladly pay the cover. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays also boast karaoke in the upstairs lounge. Unlike other gay Karaoke nights, the song selection is not all Elton John and show-tunes, though the drag host provides more than enough camp for those who want it.
With so many gay bars trying to provide a lounge feel for patrons, Apex is refreshingly old school. Techno music, creative lighting and an atmosphere perfect for meeting someone new make Apex a D.C. staple.
1455 22nd St., NW
202-296-0505
www.apex-dc.com
Freddie’s Beach Bar is a sight for bored eyes. The Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Va., is hardly known for its local color. Made up mostly of high-rise office buildings and the series of underground tunnels that connect them, there isn’t much in Crystal City that couldn’t be found in any other suburb in the U.S. — besides Freddie’s.
Located on the one street in Crystal City with non-chain restaurants, Freddie’s décor fits its name, with umbrellas and string lights in abundance. Monday brings a popular trivia night, while the weekend’s biggest draw is karaoke. There are no too-cool District gays in attendance either — the crowd is remarkably friendly and enthusiastic about the song choices of others.
Freddie’s serves food as well, offering nightly dinner specials, but is renowned for its burgers.
555 S. 23rd St.
Arlington, VA 22202
703-685-0555
www.Freddiesbeachbar.com
Phase 1 is the epicenter of lesbian life in the District — as the only lesbian bar, it’s the site of concerts, fundraisers and drag shows, and the Phase attracts a wide-ranging crowd of women Thursday through Sunday nights.
Located in Eastern Market, the bar draws top talent from around the country — recent performers have ranged from local favorite Mara Levi to Bitch (of Bitch and Animal) to “L-Word” famous duo Goddess and She. While a number of D.C. lesbian bars or lesbians’ nights have been unable to stay in business, Phase has been open since 1970, making it the oldest lesbian bar in the country, and proving that the bar is more than just a phase.
525 8th St., SE
202-544-6831
www.phase1dc.com
In this year’s Best of Gay D.C. competition, Halo has pulled a rare triple win, winning rave reviews from Blade readers. There is no dance floor and no overly loud music at Halo, just two bars, plenty of comfy chairs and a high concentration of cute men.
Halo is quickly establishing itself as the most quintessentially D.C. of the local gay bars for those who prefer their men clean cut, professional and career-minded. The bar provides a giant bowl of wintergreen lifesavers at the door to ensure that breath stays fresh for whatever happens later in the night.
HALO |
Halo’s drink selection includes a full menu of flavored martinis and mojitos, making its two-for-one happy hour the most enticing on 14th Street. It’s easy to come in after work for a quick cocktail and wind up there four hours later, easing yourself into a crazy night out.
1435 P St. NW
202-797-9730
www.Halodc.com
Located in the center of Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon neighborhood, the Hippo offers something for everyone: a huge dance floor, a video room, a friendly bar and even pool tables. Wednesday Night Bingo provides a more sedate attraction for Charm City residents, but it’s the Friday and Saturday theme nights ...
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