Nightlife Highlights: New Year’s Eve Special!
Our picks of the best LGBTQ New Year's nightlife in the D.C. area
FREDDIE’S
After a year that saw a ton of Cher — from Mamma Mia 2 to the Kennedy Center Honors — Freddie’s is ringing in 2019 in appropriate fashion by hosting the world’s best Cher impersonator. Steven Andrade performs on New Year’s Eve at 10 p.m. as part of a raucous show hosted by Mona Lotts. The evening will also feature karaoke, dancing, party favors, and a champagne toast. If you’re hungry, the regular dinner menu will be on offer, with service starting at 4 p.m. Freddie’s is at 555 South 23rd St. in Arlington. Remaining tickets are $20. Your ticket stub grants $5 off New Year’s Day Brunch. Call 703-685-0555 or visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
GREEN LANTERN
The long-standing alley bar a few blocks from Logan Circle will ring in 2019 in a way you might expect from a bear-popular venue: by serving donuts. The fried pastries will be served at 1 a.m., by which time those who started drinking at the 4 p.m. Happy Hour will be good and fried themselves. DJ Popperz will spin all night, before and after the midnight champagne toast and hubbub from party favors and noisemakers. The venue’s “hot beartenders” will serve “cocktails that won’t empty your wallet” throughout the evening. Green Lantern is at 1335 Green Ct. NW. Cover is $5. Call 202-347-4533 or visit facebook.com/GreenLanternDC.
NELLIE’S SPORT’S BAR
“It’s almost midnight… Who will you kiss?” If that headline on the flyer promoting the New Year’s Eve festivities at this U Street anchor provokes any sense of angst over a midnight kiss, well, there’s an easy cop-out: You could just plan to lock lips with the evening’s unofficial mascot, Mr. Rubber Ducky. Just don’t kiss in haste — or without consent. Nellie’s will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, although the party doesn’t start until 10 p.m., when DJ Vodkatrina “brings the heat.” Midnight brings a complimentary champagne toast. Nellie’s is at 900 U St. NW. Call 202-332-NELL or visit nelliessportsbar.com.
PITCHERS/A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
The year 2018 ushered in a dramatic change in gay D.C. nightlife, led by the July closing of Town Danceboutique. Yet the loss of the city’s largest, most popular, most diverse, and most centrally located LGBTQ nightclub was tempered by the opening of these two new, interconnected LGBTQ venues. The large, multi-story venue is a great place to ring in the new year. The Pitchers/ALOHO complex opens Monday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. Dancing and music by DJ Electrox starts at 10 p.m. Located at 2317-2319 18th St. NW. No cover. Call 202-733-2568 or visit pitchersdc.com.
ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS
You know it’s an extra special occasion when Ella Fitzgerald, D.C.’s doyenne of drag, is on board not only to host a special show with the Ziegfeld’s Ladies of Illusion, but also to lead a midnight toast and countdown — all on a Monday night. DJ Steve Henderson will be on hand at the complex’s upstairs room, featuring the best nude male dancers in town. Bring plenty of dollar bills for both upstairs and downstairs. The fun starts at 9 p.m. Ziegfeld’s/Secrets is at 1824 Half St. SW. Cover is $20 including a split of champagne and party favors. Call 202-863-0607 or visit ziegfelds.com.
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