Why One Street Corner Now Rules DC's LGBTQ Bar Scene

"The corner of 14th and U streets, Northwest, is now home to six LGBTQ bars, with just over 300 feet separating the nightlife options. The spots have all opened their doors over the past few years, bringing dramatic changes to a corner long associated with the District's bar scene. The recent wave began with 2023's opening of Bunker, a dance-focused space run by Zach Renovátes. He also operates a nearby bar, the District Eagle, that bills itself as "a home for DC's kink communities.""

"And yet some locals say they feel excluded by this new bar cluster-and by the city's LGBTQ nightlife scene in general. DC currently only has one Black-owned LGBTQ bar, Thurst Lounge, which is a couple blocks away. The six spots at 14th and U, on the other hand, can feel pretty homogeneous. "I love seeing queer-owned businesses, but I would be remiss if we didn't realize who is being overrepresented here," says Jo Vee, a local influencer who, on TikTok, has criticized the lack of diversity in these new bar options."

Six LGBTQ bars cluster at 14th and U streets NW, within just over 300 feet. Several venues opened in recent years, altering a corner long associated with the District's bar scene. Bunker opened in 2023 as a dance-focused space run by Zach Renovátes, who also operates the District Eagle, billed as "a home for DC's kink communities." Nearby options include Crush Dance Bar, Revolt, Rush, and Spark Social House. Operators emphasize distinct demographics and niches and note that more than 10 percent of DC's population identifies as LGBTQ. Some locals feel excluded; DC currently has only one Black-owned LGBTQ bar, Thurst Lounge, and several new venues replaced older bars that predominantly catered to Black patrons.

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