So, our community is not only diverse, but it is also very smart and that makes for a lively, vibrant nightlife. Also, DC is a place where people with ambitious career goals come to pursue things seriously. “Because our city is such a magnet for people from all over the world, that keeps our community incredibly diverse.
We have all sorts of people and all sorts of personalities,” says DJ and nightlife entrepreneur, Ed Bailey. "DC’s LGBTQ+ community is truly remarkable. The question of whether every place can now be considered safe in DC for queer people remains, but an ongoing shift is unmistakable as the LGBTQ+ community has begun to stake out their own space within more traditional watering holes, with outdoor beer garden Dacha, the trendy Takoda, and the bumping nightclub Flash as prime examples. Is it such a bad thing though? With each closure comes the inevitable, “where to now?” And the new answer seems to be: everywhere. Dupont Circle, once defined as the city’s gayborhood, is seemingly hanging on by a thread. Over the past few decades, countless openings, promising re-openings, and disappointing closings have taught us to expect the unexpected. The most convenient metro stations are Gallery Place Chinatown and Metro Center.Ĭheck the websites of the galleries, museums and theaters for admission fees, opening times and schedule of events.The DC LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to change. Learn about the curious world of espionage at the International Spy Museum and attend a theater show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.Ĭhinatown is easy to get to via public buses and the metro. Spot work by national artists at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and see exhibitions about American culture at the National Portrait Gallery. Watch basketball and ice hockey matches or attend concerts by world-famous acts at the Verizon Center. To the south, Chinatown converges with the lively Penn Quarter. This contemporary shopping mall is home to fashion outlets, bars, restaurants and a cinema. Visit Gallery Place for retail and entertainment options. Enjoy live music shows, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese dragon dances. Time your visit to coincide with the Chinese New Year Parade, which takes place between late January and mid-February. Visit the Chinese Community Church to hear sermons in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Browse stores that sell crafts, medicinal herbs and spices. Walk along the surrounding streets to see shopfronts adorned with bright lights and Chinese symbols.įind teahouses and restaurants, which serve classic Asian dishes such as stir-fried noodles and wonton soup. Start your visit at the Friendship Archway, a typical gateway designed to emphasize the area’s Chinese character. These businesses sit alongside modern buildings and well-known chain stores. Today, about 20 businesses survive that continue to showcase Asian culture. Chinatown grew to prominence in the 1930s when Chinese immigrants opened businesses and decorated the neighborhood’s buildings with traditional artwork and signs. and located within close proximity to some of the city’s major art galleries, museums and theaters. It’s an enclave of Downtown Washington D.C. is a historic district where you can experience Asian charm and cuisine.