Number Nine

JR's Bar is a pillar in DC's LGBTQ+ Community, serving amazing cocktails and popcorn since 1986. Great drink specials, campy videos, and friendly bartenders keep JR's packed with fun seven days a week. If you're looking for a casual place for a drink, JR's is the place to go in the heart of Dupont Circle, complete with show tunes and trivia nights among other events. Sundays are especially popular, mainly because of the super cheap vodka!

The Dirty Goose lies in the heart of the gay scene and prides itself on great drinks and an even better atmosphere. You can choose from an array of martinis and craft cocktails, then just kick back and relax, and the bar is especially popular during weekday happy hour when drinks are half price. This space perfectly combines high energy with a laid back vibe, attracting a mixed crowd that make great company.

Nellie's is one of the city's oldest and most popular gay bars. Downstairs in the bar there are sports games playing on the TVs and drag bingo hosted here on Tuesdays always draws a crowd. Nellie's is also famous for its Beat the Clock happy hour, running for most of the evening, when each hour the price of a drink increases by a dollar. Outside the bar, the upstairs patio boasts a DJ and plenty of dancing.

Number Nine is located in the heart of the scene and has been completely renovated to create a space that is at once modern and classic. The venue has two floors, with amazingly plush and comfortable furnishings including marble bars and a fireplace. State of the art sound and lighting means that the downstairs bar is lively at night, while you can enjoy your craft cocktails in the stylish video bar and lounge upstairs.

Green Lantern is hidden away in an otherwise unassuming alleyway in Downtown. The bar is located in a converted two-story carriage house, and the first floor's lounge vibe is complete with a central and stylish granite bar. You can dance the night away on Green Lantern's multi-level dance floor (complete with disco lights) and chat with the shirtless bartenders. There's even a “Shirtless Men Drink Free” event on Thursdays, along with karaoke and exotic dancers on other days.

Trade is a stylishly quirky spot, boasting tall wood-backed booths, offbeat paintings, and rooster-print wallpaper. Instead of the traditional happy hour, Trade hosts its legendary 'Huge' event where cocktails are served in pint glasses throughout the evening. The oversized and delicious drinks plus a generally festive atmosphere draws a "stand and model" type of crowd that's free of attitude and always up for a good time.