Gay Bars: Gone But Never Forgotten

The Circle Bar (closed) – This was a three level bar on 1629 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Upstairs had a true bar form. Bar was in the middle and chairs around the bar and against the wall. I say true bar since it was built for meeting and socializing. You had to walk around the bar, in between sitting and standing patrons to move around – a perfect way to bump into people and start talking! This level also had a great balcony that overlooked Connecticut Avenue. The first floor, i don’t remember too well – I am not sure what was on that level. The basement had underwear parties and other themed nights – also shows. I remember one person on stage singing “don’t want no short short men” LOL. Last time I saw this building, it had a Hair Cuttery, a chipotle and other commercial, main stream, chain businesses.

Dupont Italian Kitchen w/ DIK Bar (open) – Restaurant and bar on 17th Street, N.W. On the first floor is a restaurant and the DIK Bar on the second floor. Karaoke nights, small balcony and friendly crowd. I used to go there and load the CD “jukebox” with songs to dance.

Cobalt (closed) – located at 17th Street and R Street. A two level bar in a historic building. The upstairs dance club was fun and always packed with people. I was first ‘dipped’ there to Grease’s “You’re the One that I want”. The bar suffered a fire and re-opened for a short time but now is permanently closed. I had met the friendliest bartender in D.C. there, I won’t say his name but such a nice guy with an amazing smile. I think the building now houses condominiums. The owners have opened a new bar, CRUSH.

Chaos (closed) – Another Latino club in the area located on 17th Street, N.W. you had to walk down stairs to reach the entrance. Low ceilings and great music. I saw Corona perform in this bar (Rhythm of the Night,

Remington’s (closed) – the only country-western bar in Washington. Located on Capitol Hill on Pennsylvania Avenue. A totally different vibe than the rest of the bars listed. I remember thinking it was so sexy watching paired men and women shadow dancing to country music. The bar also played a variety of types of music to draw a diverse crowd. Last time I drove by, it was a plumbing store.

Tracks (closed) – the mega of mega clubs in D.C. Located in S.E. DC it wasn’t in the safest neighborhood, I remember being advised to pay the people on the street to watch your car so it would not get broken into. The first gay bar I went to, drew men and women to a huge dance floor and a sign hanging out front notifying customers that ‘this is a gay bar, if you have a problem, please do not come in’. The bar had a outdoor volley ball net in a sandy area that served hotdogs! This was the first time I saw Madonna’s vogue being performed by customers (she wasn’t there) and the first time i saw two men dancing together.

Wet (closed) – a male strip club in SE D.C. I didn’t go often, but I remember being amazed at seeing all the gayness in the club. It was a world apart from what was outside the club. Also located in a ‘tougher’ part of town, the club had it all – dancing, naked men, great drinks. And if you were up for the challenge, they held amateur night for those who always wanted to strip in front of a huge crowd.

Larry’s Lounge (open) – small dive bar with outdoor seating. Neighborhood bar to relax and meet with friends. Located on 18th Street in NW D.C.

Green Lantern (open) – an out of the way bar with shirtless drink free nights! I was never a regular here, but i remember it being a friendly place where everyone ‘came as they were’.

DC Eagle (closed) – D.C.’s only leather bar located in a gritty building on New York Avenue. The bar had fetish nights and was popular with the leather community. Unfortunately it had to close to development of high-rises and the redevelopment of downtown.