Part of the Gay Washington D.C. Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
17th Street NW (between P and R Streets), Dupont Circle
17th St NW, Washington, DCThe 17th Street High Heel Race is one of Washington, D.C.'s best-known LGBTQ+ traditions: a costumed drag dash down 17th Street NW in Dupont Circle, held every year on the Tuesday before Halloween. The 39th annual race runs 6–10pm on Tuesday, Oct 27, presented by the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs with Dupont Circle Main Streets, JR's and Annie's as partners. Free; racers register on site at the tent on R Street. The 2026 race start time hasn't been published yet.
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Thu, Oct 8
7 PM - 12 AM
Nellie's Sports Bar, Washington D.C
Xavier's Thursdays at Nellie's Sports Bar in Washington, D.C.'s U Street Corridor — a weekly Thursday night with karaoke.
Weekly
Thu, Oct 8
8 PM - 1:30 AM
Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant, Washington D.C
Karaoke at Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant in Crystal City, Arlington, in the Washington, D.C. metro, Thursdays at 8pm — part of the bar's Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday karaoke run.
Weekly
Thu, Oct 8
8 PM - 10 PM
Shaw's Tavern, Washington D.C
Thursday Piano Bar & Karaoke at Shaw's Tavern in Washington, D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood — piano bar and karaoke every Thursday at 8pm.
Weekly
Thu, Oct 8
9 PM - 1 AM
Uproar Lounge & Restaurant, Washington D.C
Karaoke at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant in Washington, D.C.'s Shaw — hosted by D&K Sounds every Thursday at 9pm at the Florida Avenue bear bar.
Weekly
Thu, Oct 8
10:30 PM - 12:30 AM
Crush Bar, Washington D.C
Throwdown Thursday at Crush Bar in Washington, D.C.'s U Street Corridor — a weekly late-night drag show in Studio A hosted by Venetian, every Thursday at 10:30pm.
WeeklyFri, Oct 9
8 PM - 1:30 AM
Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant, Washington D.C
Karaoke at Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant in Crystal City, Arlington, in the Washington, D.C. metro, Fridays at 8pm — part of the bar's Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday karaoke run.
WeeklyLet people know you're going, see who else is attending, and share the event with friends.
D.C. has the highest LGBTQ+ population of any U.S. city at 14.5%. Here's your insider guide to the bars, events, neighborhoods, and culture.
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A local's guide to drag shows in Washington, D.C. — the weekly drag nights, Drag Race viewing parties, drag bingo and karaoke, the queens to know, and the city's iconic High Heel Race.
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Your guide to gay Dupont Circle — D.C.'s historic gayborhood along 17th Street NW. The bars, the history behind Frank Kameny Way, the High Heel Race, daytime Dupont, and where to stay.
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A guide to lesbian bars and sapphic nightlife in Washington, D.C. — A League of Her Own, as you are, the roving queer-women party scene, and the history behind it all.
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