Shakers Bar – Photo: Ward Morrision / Metro Weekly
It was just before 11:30 on a sultry Saturday night when we rolled up to Shakers, D.C.’s new queer bar on the scene, to find a line snaking up Ninth Street.
We weren’t mad about the brief wait, but rather glad to see so many folks out enthusiastically, safely getting their life, packing bars, clubs, and restaurants up and down the U Street Corridor.
The buzz of late-summer sexiness circulated among throngs pouring into nearby Kiki, Nellie’s, and the Dirty Goose, and crowding into every straight-catering spot along the strip.
Knowing what nightlife looked like two and three summers ago, it appears going out has made a fierce comeback — which might not be true in every U.S. city.
“I think D.C. is kind of unique,” says Shakers co-owner Justin Parker. “I feel during the pandemic, and as it was winding down, across the country we kind of saw in other cities there were spots that were closing. I feel D.C. saw the LGBTQ bar scene [expand] — I mean, we’ve had, what, four or five spots added within the last 2 to 3 years.”
Daniel Honeycutt, Parker’s partner in life and raising their one-year-old baby, as well as running both Shakers and the Dirty Goose, agrees that while, nationally, LGBTQ spaces “are really struggling, and we continue to see them struggle…post-pandemic,” that the Capital has been bucking the trend. “It just seems like D.C. is hopefully headed in the right direction, where we have more spaces available for us.”
Shakers — located in the single-floor space formerly occupied by Whitlow’s — sprawls temptingly from a front bar area with a cozy dance floor and stage, back through a well-lit lounge into a rear patio, all of which were comfortably crowded as I swirled through sipping a tasty Mezcal margarita.
Shakers Bar — Photo: Ward Morrison / Metro Weekly
Elsewhere, but not too far away, Beyoncé was wrapping up that night’s Renaissance World Tour gig, so, of course, DJ Glen Coco kept Bey in rotation, and the dance floor on their toes.
An excited roar went up for “America Has a Problem,” and queens jumped onstage to let everybody know, “You won’t break my soul,” but the dance floor really threw down to Tiësto and Charli’s “Hot in It.” Proof there’s room for every queen at the club.
And it was hot to revel with the diverse crowd, from dancing twinks and pre-gaming Kiki daddies, Howard and Gallaudet queers to tourists, and, later in the night, the bedazzled Beyhive rolling in dripped in merch and full of tales to tell.
Shakers — Photo: Ward Morrison / Metro Weekly
Three voluminous rooms of strangers felt like one party — and that’s part of the concept of Shakers, which also will include nights for drag entertainers, cabaret, industry movie nights, and space for community meetings and family days.
“I think people five, eight years ago were questioning, do we actually need gay bars anymore,” Honeycutt says. “And I feel like, where you sit today, the resounding answer is, ‘Yeah, yeah, we need LGBT, queer spaces that are community.’ It’s more than just a place where you drink.”
Shakers is located at 2014 9th St. NW, between U and V Streets. Visit www.shakersdc.com. Follow Shakers on Instagram @Shakers.Bar.
The dance floor icons open up about friendship, fierce performances, and the enduring legacy of anthems that still light up Pride.
Intereview by John Riley and Randy Shulman
June 14, 2025
"How are you!?" exclaims CeCe Peniston.
"Good! Great to see you, hon. This is amazing!" responds Kristine W.
"Long time," says CeCe.
"Oh, my girl. I know! It's been a long time. I'm looking forward to this show. We're going to have our little family reunion," smiles Kristine, adding to the interviewers, "Are we live now?"
We are indeed live, on a Zoom call with two of the most formidable dance icons the world has ever known. And for the next two hours, our conversation is bright, joyful, reflective, and, well... iconic.
CeCe, whose song "Finally," and Kristine, whose "Feel What You Want," are two of the defining Pride anthems of the '90s (and beyond), will be individually appearing on Saturday, June 7, at the WorldPride Capitol Stage as part of the first day's free concert festivities, which caps with a headlining performance from Wicked star, Cynthia Erivo.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were upstaged by a gaggle of drag queens at the Kennedy Center Opera House during a performance of the French Revolution-set hit musical Les Misérables on Wednesday, June 11.
The couple’s appearance -- Trump’s first of the term at the historic venue -- coincided with a special fundraising night aimed at supporting the reportedly financially struggling arts institution.
According to the The Washington Post, ticket sales have slumped following Trump’s takeover of the storied institution, long considered a cornerstone of D.C.’s theater scene. Subscriptions for the upcoming season are down by $1.6 million -- roughly 36% -- compared to last year.
WorldPride participants share why Pride still matters, what issues drive them, and why visibility remains vital in today’s political climate.
By André Hereford, Ryan Leeds, and John Riley
June 21, 2025
WorldPride DC on Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Photo: Randy Shulman / Metro Weekly
Interviewed on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, 2025, at the WorldPride Street Festival, Parade, and March for Freedom.
Nic Ashe
Los Angeles, Ca.
Queer, He/Him
Why did you come to WorldPride?
I've been following WorldPride through the lens of Black queerness, namely with a focus on Christianity and religion. Early in my life, when I think about the first times that I was learning that queer may be a pejorative or that being gay was "not good," it was through my church upbringing. So I was very curious to find if there were examples in 2025 of those two oxymoronic opposing forces existing in harmony.
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