“It’s always good to have competition - especially when you’re on the same block,” says Parker, who expanded his 5-year-old bar’s rooftop during the pandemic. Rotating events will include a Thursday underwear contest and “Brews, Beards, and Dogs” happy hour, along with weekly and daily drink discounts.ĭirty Goose co-founder Justin Parker says he’s “happy” for his outgoing general manager and agrees the city could use more LGBTQ-friendly bars. Town Danceboutique left Shaw after a decade in 2018 to make way for condos. He likens the dance floor vibe to that of Dupont’s dearly missed Cobalt. “We’re hoping to make a gayborhood in Shaw.” One of his favorite quotes from Schitt’s Creek - “I like the wine and not the label” - will be made into a mural out back.Ī post shared by Kiki want to create a safe space for the LGBTQ community and offer something a little new D.C.’s lacking on lately,” he says. Modifications to the aging spaces include cosmetic upgrades and wall accents integrating all-inclusive colors. While the walls can’t be knocked down, Kiki will be connected by the beer garden out back. The landlords of the next-door buildings are cousins, so the option to lease both came to fruition fast once he showed interest. The food partner is TBA, and Fedak notes there’s enough space for a food truck out back. The team will also build out a backyard beer garden with a dozen beers on draft. “Classic cocktails but nothing too crazy.”īy next May, Kiki will expand into Dodge City’s former address and add a modern lounge and sports-themed bar dedicated to LGBTQ teams (Fedak’s a member of D.C.’s Gay Flag Football League). “We’re not going to have anything too extensive just because it’s the dance floor area,” he says. Kiki hopes to debut in mid-December on the Velvet side, complete with two dance floors, a stage for weekly drag shows, and bar serving margaritas on draft. The new project comes from Keaton Fedak, the outgoing general manager at nearby gay bar Dirty Goose.
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Kiki will fill in the neighboring buildings left behind by iconic watering holes Velvet Lounge and Dodge City (915-917 U Street NW), which permanently closed during the pandemic. The U Street NW strip will welcome a new LGBTQ-friendly establishment by the end of the year that plans to eventually house a sprawling beer garden out back and four bars in all.