These days it seems like everyone throws a holiday party full of people wearing genuinely horrid Christmas sweaters. But the best have a reason for the gaudy seasonal display, such as making it a benefit for the Trevor Project, the leading organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. That’s the cause that will benefit from donations at the door this Friday, Dec. 13, at 18th & U Duplex Diner. Drag queen Goldie Grigio hosts along with special guests Tarik Pierce and Jayme Byrgy, while Miss Indiana Bones, Mia Vanderbilt, and Ariel Von Quinn will serve on the first-ever panel of drag judges who will award the wearers of the three Jankiest sweaters Duplex gift cards in the amounts of $50, $100, and $200. DJ Tanner will make everyone sweat starting at 9 p.m., following a happy hour starting at 7 p.m. hosted by Miss Adams Morgan 2019, Helen Heels. Duplex Diner is at 2004 18th St. NW. A donation of $10 gets you a complimentary Poinsettia champagne cocktail. Call 202-265-9599 or visit www.duplexdiner.com.
RED BEAR HOLIDAY BEAR BUST
Friday, Dec. 13, is also the “Night of the Thirsty Bear” at D.C.’s only LGBTQ-owned brewery, where every thirsty hirsute manimal — and all other patrons as well — can drink from a bottomless well of select craft beer and cider selections for only $30 a person. DJ Shea Van Horn will provide music, and patrons are encouraged to take “Selfies with Naughty Leather Santa.” The Bear Bust starts at 8 p.m. and runs until midnight at Red Bear Brewing, located at 209 M St. NE. Call 202-849-6130 or visit www.redbear.beer.
LULAC LAMBDA HOLIDAY PARTY
This Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 8 p.m., LULAC Lambda, D.C.’s local LGBTQ Latinx organization, throws an annual party featuring performances from veteran local drag queen Sylvanna Duvél and LGBTQ-run Corazón Folklórico dance troupe, with music by Deaf DJ Nico DiMarco, who was recently profiled as part of a feature on music in local Deaf culture on WAMU. Peruvian-style chicken will be furnished by District Rico Donations at the door will go toward the LULAC Lambda Scholarship program. The party, which goes until 11 p.m., is also intended to raise HIV awareness, with free HIV testing on-site provided by Empodérate, La Clinica del Pueblo’s LGBTQ health program. The Chastleton Ballroom is at 1701 16th St. NW. Visit www.lulaclambda.org.
PITCHERS/A LEAGUE OF HER OWN HOLIDAY PARTY
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Pitchers/ALOHO hosts its second annual holiday celebration. The party runs throughout the complex with the happiest of happy hours, with free drinks served from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by everything $3 off from 8 to 9 p.m., plus light appetizers served in the restaurant. There will be prizes for the “ugliest sweater” and the “most festive outfit” — although entries are limited to those who RSVP and list themselves as going on Facebook. Pitchers is at 2317 18th St. NW, with its sister ALOHO bar at 2319 18th St. NW. Call 202-733-2568 or visit www.pitchersdc.com.
ROUGH HOUSE
Green Lantern hosts another round of a “dance party celebrating our beats and your bodies” that goes by the tagline “Hands On, Lights Off.” DJ Lemz spins sexy beats in tag-team fashion with The Barber Streisand. The going gets rough starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at the Green Lantern, located at 1335 Green Ct. NW. Cover is $5 and includes clothes check, although those seeking to strip down to nearly nothing are asked to stick to the second floor — “please keep jockstraps upstairs.” Also: “No photography please.” Call 202-347-4533 or visit www.greenlanterndc.com.
Time to pop the cork! Whether you're chasing disco nostalgia, favorite DJs, drag-fueled countdowns, or a low-key toast at your neighborhood bar, D.C.'s LGBTQ nightlife offers no shortage of options. From ticketed blowouts to no-cover hangs, these venues are ready to toss 2025 out the window and welcome a hopefully brighter 2026 with sass and style.
The Atlantis
2047 9th St. NW
theatlantis.com
The Atlantis celebrates in New Year's Eve with an 18+ ticketed dance party. The DJ-driven celebration centers on ABBA, with plenty of additional disco favorites from the '70s and '80s -- including tracks by the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and Cher. Festivities include a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and disco attire is encouraged. Tickets are $68.40. The venue will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
The Capital Pride Alliance is moving the 2026 Capital Pride celebration to the third week of June -- one week later than usual -- to avoid overlapping with major events tied to President Donald Trump's June 14 birthday and preparations for the nation's 250th anniversary. Pride weekend will run June 20-21, with the parade on Saturday and the festival and concert on Sunday.
Last year, the Trump administration marked the president's birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Armed Forces with a downtown military parade. This year, all national parks will offer free entry on June 14, and the White House is expected to host several Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on the White House lawn to draw large crowds for Trump's 80th birthday and the country's Semiquincentennial celebrations.
The year's nearly out. Sometimes that calls for taking sweet stock of the past months' wonderful events. Coming to the end of 2025, on the other hand, is more like getting to that denouement in the action movie where the survivors take a breath and pat each other on the back for having made it out alive. At this stage, we are Newt getting tucked-in to her Sulaco hibernation tube.
With some effort and a pinch of luck, may we all fare better in 2026 than poor Newt's end at the start of Alien 3.
Why such a shitty year? So much of it, obviously, can be laid at the feet of Lame Duck Donald. Not that he hasn't had loads of assistance in his evil efforts to erase our transgender family and friends, colleagues, and leaders during 2025. The purge, as promised, began right out of the gate on Inauguration Day.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.