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From iconic neighborhoods and historic landmarks to under-the-radar hangouts, discover 12+ ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture in the nation's capital.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in Washington, DC and we're celebrating by making it an all-out international experience. Join the momentous celebrations as the nation’s capital is painted with pride, featuring a variety of events to inspire, empower and connect the international LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
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Activists, Washingtonians and visitors from around the country and world have gathered outside of 1 First Street NW to mark key moments in American history, including landmark decisions like the June 2015 ruling that made same-sex marriage legal. Visitors can take a free tour Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
“No longer may this liberty be denied. No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were,” wrote Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in the majority opinion.
Deepen your knowledge with the help of an expert. Hone in on LGBTQ+ history with Art with Tosca, Unscripted Tours or DC Cycling Concierge. You can also book an excursion with an LGBTQ+-owned company like A Tour of Her Own or Politico-turned-tour guide Andrew Rawls' Fiat Luxe, which donates a portion of the tour fee to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.
Special for WorldPride: Off the Mall Tours and the Rainbow History Project partner to shed light on the rich history of DC's U Street Corridor. Known as "Black Broadway" in its heyday, this pocket of the city served as the center for movements for Prohibition, Civil Rights and more. The 1.5-hour tour begins at Howard Theater and ends at Thurst Lounge, the District's first queer black-owned bar.
March 25 at 4 p.m. March 31 at 5 p.m., June 7 at 7 p.m.
The District has a stacked lineup of LGBTQ+ bars. Catch the big game at Pitchers or Nellie's (DC's first gay sports bar), dance all night at As You Are or kick back with a cold one at Red Bear Brewing Co., the District's only 100 percent gay-owned brewery. If you're looking for a non-alcoholic spot to socialize, stop by Spark Social Club on U Street; it's open to all ages during the day, 18+ after 8 p.m. Whichever vibe you're chasing, you'll find it in DC.
A few blocks east of Dupont Circle you'll find the signature rainbow-colored crosswalks of 17th Street NW. Stop by spots like JR’s (a DC favorite since 1986 that hosts Retro Fridays, Sunday Fundays and drag-themed trivia on Wednesdays) or Dito’s (located in the basement of Italian restaurant Floriana). In an unofficial nod to the neighborhood’s LGBTQ+ scene, look for the “Frank Kameny Way” street sign at 17th and R streets. Kameny, an astronomer by trade, became a gay rights activist when he was fired from the U.S. Army in 1957.
Historical highlights and works by queer artists can be found all over the District. The National Museum of American History's collection features a number of iconic items from LGBTQ+ history, such as archival photos of civil rights protests, political buttons and Gay Comix issues from the 1990s. The National Gallery of Art features an online guide to LGBTQ+ artists in its collections and for WorldPride, the Capital Jewish Museum will host an exhibit titled LGBTJews in the Federal City.
LGBTQ+-friendly favorites like Hotel Zena, Eaton and the Embassy Row Hotel are perfectly poised for exploring DC's historic gay neighborhoods. VIDA Fitness also sports a penthouse pool popular for rooftop gatherings. Each is fabulous for an afternoon hangout, happy hour or late-night drinks – all with a stunning view. Want to hit more hot spots? Take your pick.
The neighborhood may be known for heating up at night – LGBTQ+ sports bars Pitchers and A League of Her Own make for a fantastic outing, game-day or otherwise – but Adams Morgan's cozy restaurants and trendy shops also make it a must-see during the day. Explore the storefronts in and around 18 Street NW for some of the best thrifting and bites in the city.
Dupont Circle, DC's original "gayborhood," remains one of the District’s most popular swaths of real estate, boasting a happening scene of restaurants and shops, plus outdoor activities (pick-up chess game anyone?) on its central grassy circle. You’ll want to check out beloved institutions like Larry's Lounge, a neighborhood bar, or Kramers, a longtime independent bookstore with a robust LGBTQ+ section.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The region’s theater and performing arts scene is one of the best in the country and a show is an obvious add to any itinerary. From beloved musicals to original works, browse the lineups at names like Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (Penn Quarter), Atlas Performing Arts Center (H Street NE), the Keegan Theatre (Dupont Circle) and Arena Stage (Southwest/The Wharf).
The District goes big with weekend drag brunches, from award-winning restaurants like Officina and Perry's to breweries like City Tap House and fun-loving spots like Throw Social. If brunch isn't your scene, it's easy to find more drag shows and happenings throughout the city.
Make a trip to the Congressional Cemetery, which has a dedicated LGBTQ+ section where you can learn about the lives of prominent queer figures and activists.
Visit a modest memorial to Frank Kameny (co-founder of the Mattachine Society, an early gay rights organization and the first openly gay person to run for Congress) as well as the resting places of Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Lahusen (founders of the first American lesbian rights organization). Look for Leonard Matlovich’s headstone that reads: “A Gay Vietnam Veteran: When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men. And a discharge for loving one.”
One of the trendiest neighborhoods frequented by LGBTQ+ Washingtonians is Logan Circle, just east of Dupont Circle. Businesses like Logan Tavern, Jane Jane, Green Lantern and Number Nine are paramount in encouraging the bright and welcoming atmosphere in this part of the city. All year long, but particularly in the summer, locals love to soak up the sun in the area's green spaces and at plentiful outdoor happy hours. At night, famous venues like Studio Theatre and Black Cat set the scene for the arts.
LOVE by Lisa Marie Thalhammer
Some of DC's best artworks can't be found inside museum galleries – the city's murals and public artworks are not to be missed. Venture to the National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden to see Robert Indiana's AMOR. Lisa Marie Thalhammer's Love is For Everyone climbs up the side of the Little Gay Pub in Logan Circle, while her rainbow LOVE mural lives in a Shaw alleyway. Nearby, the massive but somewhat-hidden Together can be found at 1309 9th Street NW.
The newest addition to DC's street art scene is a half-mile long mural, completed just in time for WorldPride. Rainbow Road can be found along bike lanes on 15th Street NW (between O and V Streets), making them more pronounced and safer. Dreamed up by Thalhammer, with a team of seven other local artists and plenty of volunteers, the work brings a new flood of color to DC's "gayborhood," smack between Dupont and Logan Circles.
Tucked into Barracks Row is a place that makes the busy city feel a bit smaller: Little District Books. All titles, gifts and community-facing events share the mission of uplifting authors and creators across all LGBTQIA+ identities. Readers can attend author talks, bring the whole family to kids' events, participate in the annual Lavender Con or opt to join one of a number of book clubs.
You can also get active with local organizations like Capital Pride or the DC Front Runners, a social club that meets four days a week for group runs and walks at 23rd & P Streets NW, usually followed by a relaxed gathering.
Free events, must-attend exhibits and galas galore make up DC's year-round calendar, which visitors can filter using the "LGBTQ+" tag, and don’t miss top things to do this weekend, month and year-round.
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