Nightlife Highlights: RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Parties, Rewind at Green Lantern, Electric Rainbow, and Mardi Gras

Our picks of the best LGBTQ nightlife in D.C. this week, February 28-March 6, 2019

By Doug Rule on February 28, 2019 @ruleonwriting

Rupaul’s Drag Race: Season 11 — Image via vh1.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON 11: DRAG-HOSTED VIEWING PARTIES

At least seven queens will battle it out for the title of D.C.’s Best Host for a Reality Show Viewing Party starting this Thursday, Feb. 28, and continuing at 9 p.m. every Thursday into Pride season. The show in question is RuPaul’s Drag Race, the hit VH1 show preparing to hoist 14 new queens — plus the return of Vanessa Vanjie Mateo — on a suspecting America via its 11th Season. There’s a viewing party on the boards at just about every gay bar in town, including Pitchers, Nellie’s, Uproar, and JR.’s, the latter of which dangles the prospect of a 30-minute open bar for the patron who correctly guesses which queen will be sent packing per episode.

For total tucking immersion, it helps to wash it all down watching with a local drag queen or two. This season’s roster includes: Jane Saw at Trade, where DJ Wess will put some bass in your gawk, plus there will be games and the “usual antics,” including XL Happy Hour drink prices until 10 p.m.; Goldie Grigio at the 18th & U Duplex Diner; Crystal Edge, Katrina Colby, and D.C.’s own Drag Race alum Tatianna, plus additional guest stars each week at the DC Eagle, which caps things off with a Male Burlesque Revue in the Exile upstairs; Desiree Dik at Dew Drop Inn (www.dewdropinn.com), where every fourth Thursday, including Feb. 28, there’s a Twisted party with drag acts Bratworst, Bellatrix Foxxx, plus an amateur Slay contest; and Mister Mowens and the Queertopia party at the Dirty Goose, offering everything from the standard games and drink specials to look contests and queer art. For contact information and links, visit www.metroweekly.com/nightlife.

GREEN LANTERN’S REWIND: REQUEST LINE

Darryl Strickland was one of the most prolific DJs in gay D.C. in the ’90s, which makes him eminently qualified to serve as VJ for this first-Saturdays party focused on playing the best video hits of the ’80s and ’90s. There are drink specials on offer and the ability to make requests all night long. Saturday, March 2, starting at 9 p.m. Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct. NW. No cover. Call 202-347-4533 or visit www.greenlanterndc.com.

ELECTRIC RAINBOW: LVE EDITION

The first Sunday of every month, DJ Chord throws a weekend winddown party in the unmarked space behind the freezer door in Capo DC, the Shaw sandwich shop. DJ TWiN joins Chord for a party to pop the cork on March and hurry up spring with heat-inducing performances from KC B. Yoncé and Jazzmine. Sunday, March 3, from 5 to 10 p.m. The BackRoom, 715A Florida Ave. NW. Call 202-910-6884 or visit www.facebook.com/TheBackRoomCapo.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: MARDI GRAS PARTY & FUNDRAISER

Among the many gay ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, few others are likely to make you feel as good and as proud, and as close to God, as this. The LGBTQIA Alliance of the Washington National Cathedral presents a Crawfish Boil at Brookland’s Dew Drop Inn, which will host the fundraiser to build “an epic Cathedral float” for the Capital Pride parade. In addition to all-you-can-eat shucked shellfish plus an open bar for two full hours, the #FundTheFloat party offers entertainment by way of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and, direct from Dallas, gay entertainer Paul J. Williams, who, befitting the occasion, will be in character as Sister Helen Holy, “ministering on behalf of the fictitious First Southern Fried Self-Satisfied Baptist Church.” Tuesday, March 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The Dew Drop Inn is at 2801 8th St. NE. Tickets are $100. Call 202-791-0909 or search “Pride Parade Float” at www.cathedral.org.