Location: 2317 18th St.
Readers’ pick: Pitchers DC
If the new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has you eager to see some fierce lip-syncing and high kicks, head to Pitchers DC for a front-row seat at a local drag show bursting with queer joy.
Located in Adams Morgan, this popular gay bar is a lively scene full of drinks, dancing and endless thrills on a night out – visitors can bounce between bar counters across multiple levels, pack the dance floor to the brim and even play video games on the mounted TVs on the second floor. If you’re over 21 and looking for a mind-blowing performance to go with your Dirty Shirley, visit on Thursday nights at 10 p.m. for “Thirst Trap Thursdays,” the bar’s weekly drag show, for an experience unlike any other with its consistent entertainment value in the District.
Bask in the drag performers’ stunning stunts and inventive costumes and sing your heart out to dramatic lip-sync performances to banger tunes like emo rock classic “crushcrushcrush” by Paramore or the soulful stylings of Whitney Houston. Watch local entertainers pull off their wigs to reveal other wigs underneath and see the light catch every sparkle of their outfit. You won’t be able to hold back gasps at high kicks and splits that you’ve only seen professional dancers and gymnasts do on TV, and you’ll marvel at a performer embodying any of your favorite pop divas on the dance floor level of the bar.
Be wary of the octagon-shaped, taped-off area in the middle of the floor marking off where the queens will come strutting through to make sure you don’t get a high heel to the head. Local drag artists Venus Valhalla, who describes herself as “D.C.’s Valkyrie” and Cake Pop!, a queen who isn’t afraid to show off her wardrobe and dance moves, usually host the show. They may sprinkle in some snarky-yet-humorous commentary about fellow queens or the nature of their job. Common lineups include bombastic performers like the captivating Emma Zon Prime and her wonderful dance moves and You’neek Nu’york and her colorful range of bold fashion pieces.
On special occasions, the bar hosts past queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” like Kennedy Davenport, a Season 7 and All Stars, special seasons where past queens are invited back to the show, Season 3 dancing and sarcasm icon. Pitchers has also welcomed Anetra, one of Season 15’s top four who wowed viewers of the show from the first episode after slicing a wooden board with a martial arts kick and duckwalking, a vogue dance move that involves prancing around on your tip-toes while fully squatting.
If you’re looking for something other than the traditional drag show, Pitchers also features drag bingo Wednesday at 8 p.m., usually hosted by the ever-elegant drag artist Brooklyn Heights and occasionally featuring other drag artists like the aforementioned Cake Pop!.
Before you go on your wild Thursday night out, don’t forget to stop by the ATM on the first floor to take out some cash to tip the entertainers. The queens’ art requires much work and effort to perfect, and it deserves to be rewarded.
As anti-queer legislation across the country is on the rise, Pitchers’ “Thirst Trap Thursdays” and Wednesday drag bingo serve as a reminder that pure, unadulterated queer joy exists through celebration. And drag performances at Pitchers is the shining example in Northwest D.C.
