I came here based off of a recommendation when looking for a spot that would be hitting on a Wednesday night and happy we came. I don't know the last time I had been in such an establishment before but I didn't want to leave. We were still dressed in our Wicked wear and took many pictures with others who played around with my broom and posed next to us in all kinds of ways. Everyone was friendly and open to conversation. They also have an outdoor area that some were using to smoke and many comfy lounge sofas to chill at. I met some characters, and this was a good addition to our Wicked night. read more

Big back bald jerk power tripping bouncer sets out to ruin people's nights as much as he can. My friend was waiting on someone in line so we let a couple go in front of us and he tried to send them and then our entire group to the end of the 2 hour+ line, not listening to us and insisting they had just walked up and cut in front of everyone. Then at close I was following my friends out and the same man physically separated me from them, pushing me out in the other direction by myself, not the least bit concerned with me getting home with my people just saying "find them outside" in a massive crowd at 2am. THEN when myself and this poor college kid running for his life tried to alert them that an unwell person outside was running around right out front - where they were forcing everyone to go! - threatening to shoot/stab people with his hand in his bag, yelling/spitting in peoples faces, and chasing strangers with a shiv, that same bouncer shooed my hand off the door while we were asking for help and told us "well then call the cops because its not his problem." Not a safe or welcoming Pride experience in the slightest. This bouncer needs to go. Disgusting behavior. read more

A great evening of fun and room to dance! Great wine deals and a ton of nice staff! The back patio is amazingly wonderful! Will definitely start the evening here next time! And then probably end up here as well! read more

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I haven't been here for a while. One of my friends invited me to this place for happy hour. It used to a small place with small outdoor patio. I must tell you that it does not look anything close to what I remember. They have a huge outdoor patio now. They also have various other areas for dancing and DJs. Drinks were good too. Staff were very nice. One of the best bars in DC. Looking forward to going back again soon. read more

Mostly techno music great Djs drinks again are pricey. A bit more glamortude going on here

Once a great neighbor they are now a scourge with a loud crowd keeping neighboring buildings awake till 1am and later since they double their patio size. Please do us a favor and avoid them read more

Went to the bathroom and when I came out my friend had fallen over (drunk whatever) and the bouncer was kicking him in the side and I walked out with my friend and the bouncer kept kicking him. And we left. But walking out of the bathroom to your friend being kicked in the ribs by the workers is fucked up. read more

It's a nice place, but it feels very inconsiderate to open such a busy venue in the middle of residential buildings. The noise carries constantly -- right now there's a birthday party and, as usual, no effort from the establishment to remind guests to keep the volume down. You can hear the crowd from two blocks away, and the sound echoes through the back alley. The sounds go till late at night. read more

What a fun and queer space. Definitely will check out again. Why does a review require 85 characters... Can't I be succinct?

Great place for drinks and good deals. A must try when with friends and loved ones when in the DuPont Circle area. Summer time is the best time here to enjoy the back outdoors area with drinks and friends. The staff is always nice and the bar is always clean. The restrooms are too much fun and a must see lol. The Rupaul Drag Race marathon events are my favorite along with the Drag Bingo... read more

Trade is located right on 14th street amid the hustle and bustle of all the restaurants. I love going to Trade because it means that I am accepted. The people there are open, friendly , and inviting. If you show up to Trade in a group or so, you still feel like you are a part of the family. Trade is a perfect place to grab a drink or three and have a great time! read more

Trade - a christmas scene in a dark room - Gay Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Tonight was my first time going to Trade despite having been around the DC scene for almost a decade. The decor was very camp -- loved the fact they weren't afraid to intermingle Halloween with Christmas decorations -- and it felt like home in the nieighborhood dive bar kind of way. Now that places like the Velvet Lounge are gone, Trade in a lot of ways filled that void for me that I had felt for so long. I spent the night out on the back patio and made some amazing chit chat with fellow LGBTQ+ patrons while the DJs inside played a great blend of house, techno, and underground club tracks. If I had to give one bit of criticism, it would be over the restrooms. One restroom had multiple urinals and a stall for anyone to use and the other restroom was an all-gender bathroom. As a transgender woman, I was kind of shocked at the state of the all-gender bathroom when I went in to use it, but I survived. P.S. This bar is an LGBTQ+ spot that caters primarily to a queer cis male audience for the most part. If that makes you uncomfortable, then this is not the spot for you. read more

Not the best vibe. Not welcoming to Latinos/Brown people. From the bouncer to the bartenders!

Solid little gay dive bar on 14th. I've only come for happy hour which is average. $5 draft. They have some bigger booths, bar seats, and an outdoor patio. For happy hour you should get here early so that you can grab a seat. read more

They check ID but no one check bags or pockets are gave anyone a pat down . I'm definitely feeling a little uneasy. This is not good in light of current events. Other than that the bar is okay. The drinks are good and reasonably price. The crowd is diverse, nice and respectful. They definitely have to do some work with security. read more

Always feel safe and welcome at Trade! Drinks are reasonable and bartenders are always kind and attentive. Bathroom can get a little dirty as the night goes on, but that's just the nature of the beast. The drag performances are always stellar! read more

The performer tonight was really mean and rude to me for no reason while sitting at the bar before her show.

The bartender controls the music and it's terrible. No one is engaged. Asked for something better and the bartender actually said "I don't care if you're here". Lol It's a hit or miss and unfortunately mostly a miss. read more

Great setup for Covid-19 precautions. Lots of dividers between booths, lines taped into the floor, enforcement of masks, and online reservations. Drinks were good and full of alcohol with very friendly service. Would definitely return! read more

I am a Boston boy, and everyone at Trade made me realise that this is a very sexy trait. Trust me, where I come from "Massh*le" is not a compliment, but, my God, do you boys make a poorly ageing twunk feel youthful, vital and sexy. The vibe at Trade was a wild tonic to my seemingly benumbed senses. I have been working a lot, and, y'all, it's been a hell of a year. 2019 was horrid, and I appreciate the electricity at Trade for helping me blow off steam. I have a wicked hangover right now, but that's a testament to how much fun I had. But, mainly, I am writing for the handsome bartender to whom I gave my... business card (because I am a lanyard of a person). You were wonderful: kind and appropriately flirtatious, and certifiably serving trade. So, dear Daddy aka Dusty, as my dear friend Ms. Diana Ross has crooned: "Come on, hurry, baby, come on and see about me." :-) read more

I would encourage you not to go to trade in the future, I had an experience tonight that was no less antagonistic or demoralizing than anything people `experience" in college'. I was called a "whore" and literally boo'd out of the bar because "i don't understand them". BY the way, I am a bi female. I am upset and mad but I say this more because this type of behavior from business isn't okay. I wouldn't tolerate it for anyone and I hope you won't tolerate it either. read more

Stops letting people in earlier than claimed. And lied about time they closed and if you ask the door person they say " f off " read more

Trade - a man sitting on a stool in front of a store - Gay Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Trade is one of the hallmark bars in DC. And it is also the first gay bar I've ever been to~ Atmosphere: This bar has a more "suburban hangout spot" vibe to me, which can be welcoming for those a bit tired of the city. This is mainly due to the outdoor patio in the back. It has a backyard cul de sac feel with the fencing and lighting. There are benches you can sit on and tables you can put your drinks on and talk under the night sky with friends or that guy you find attractive~ Trade is also one of those hit or miss places. Sometimes, there's maybe a few dozen there. And other times it's body-on-body crowded. A good in between is preferred since the place is so narrow and getting a drink or just walking in a singular line will take a while. There *is* a dancefloor and a DJ, but no one goes to Trade to dance. Finish: If ya haven't been, I do suggest going just to say that you did. It has a different vibe than other bars like Nellie's or Number 9 in that it feels more grounded which could be what ya need after being in DC for so long. read more

Great Happy Hour! Wonderful bartenders. Strong drinks. Love the holiday weekend day parties.

2/13/2021 (919pm) Turned away at the door. "Sorry last call"....we close at 10". Go upstairs to Black whiskey -who also closes at 10. Great service and drinks. If u don't want my kind, just say that....(not my first time feeling unwelcome at trade..I literally told my husband this was gonna happen.) ...do better. read more

Thanks Trade DC. Still going strong for a few years now. There tonight (Sat night, 9-11PM, Dec 7, 2019) Music and nicely-tall late-happy-hour drinks outstanding! TRADE DC is part of what makes Dupont/Logan great. Keep it up! Enough is [Never] Enough-- the long version! read more

I like this neighborhood bar. It's low key, no loud panel walls with TVs blasting. Reminds me of the gay bars we had in 1970's, where there were music and patrons only; not a lot to distract you, so you would speak to and interact with others. I felt very comfortable! Thanks! read more

Trade is a gay (everyone friendly) dive bar. They have been following all COVID 19 restrictions well. The complaints of last calls within the hour of closing are sad... you don't do that to any bar. They're doing their best. Check yourself, please. Trade offers a friendly staff that are working hard for you and everyone. Visitors, check the COVID rules before complaining about hours or services. read more

Trade has character and is a great gayborhood bar to sit back and relax with friends. Bartenders friendly. They have outside patio and good music. Drinks not he strongest but not bad either. read more

I'm a fan of Trade. I may not be a gay male but I am game to come here. Expect that it'll be crowded and that if you're a shortie like me, you may get bumped into from time to time. But if you can look past that and *trade* the tight space for a more chilled vibe, you'll find yourself enjoying the space. Trade is somewhere you can spend your whole night at or can be a stop on your own bar crawl. Enjoy yourself! :) read more

This is for the procedures and setup they currently have regarding the Covid pandemic. Tables are spaced out outside for maximum social distancing and every employee is in masks. They ask the customers that move around to wear masks as well. They have curtains inside to separate booths from each other. All in all, I felt very safe and loved the vibe. Would highly recommend! read more

Service from the staff was mixed. The bartender who served me was perfectly polite. After getting drinks, we settled in and were just chatting by the bar. My stool was quickly taken from me. I didn't really care, and the person who took it said something, but it was way too loud to hear him and he quickly walked away. We were about to step away from the bar area (just waiting on a third friend who last saw us there), when another bartender rudely told us to get out of his way. I would perfectly understand the need for more space around the bar when it's getting busy, but it's pretty simple to ask in a courteous way. I'm not expecting you to hold my hand, but just be respectful. PSA to my beloved queer community: being conventionally good looking does not excuse unkind behavior. read more

We walked in at 11 on the dot, and the host told us their last call is at 11:20 and they had no open tables, even though I could clearly see a free table. Not even worth giving this place a second chance, don't waste your time. read more

So I am from Miami and left my ID at VIDA when I went on a guest pass and left it there accidentally. I had multiple digital proofs of ID with me to prove that I was well of age and the bouncer not only was rude, but was disrespectful. I am not drunk in the slightest and was very composed and polite and as we were leaving, the tiny blonde, white twink with braided hair yelled at my friend "By the way, get the FUCK out of my bar." As a visitor, I will never come back to this establishment ever again and will make sure my friends and EVERYONE that I know does not come here because of the horrible treatment we received at the door. read more

Amazing atmosphere, Definitely a great place to dane on a Saturday night. service was quick and drinks are cheap. what more could you ask for?! read more

Rude security, overpriced drinks, and general unpleasant atmosphere on the inside. Hard pass for me.

My boyfriend ordered a dirty vodka martini and got this half full cup for $11. Completely disappointed. In addition, we got some horrible attitude and side-eye from the bartender when we ordered. Not a good look. read more

Trade - My boyfriend ordered a dirty vodka martini and got this half full cup for $11. In addition, we got some horrible attitude. - Gay Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Let's be real. Everything about this place is meh. The people who work here are absolute meh. Nothing but attitude and are not welcoming at all. Wonder to another more welcoming establishment in DC. read more

Ed Sheeran said it best: "The club isn't the best place to find a lover so the bar is where I go..." Except I did not find a lover at Trade because no boys were interested in me. But I digress. As a heterosexual woman, I feel like a diabetic kid in a candy shop at Trade. A lot of looking but no touching. But my friends were adamant that we go here, so I had no choice but to tough it out. Because we went out on a weeknight, we were looking for something laid-back, and Trade was exactly what we were looking for. We ended up staying at Trade the entire night, and while it was busy and crowded, we still had a good time. The bouncer and bartenders were polite enough, so no complaints there. Overall, I enjoyed the low-key, chill vibe of Trade. I don't know if I would come back here by myself - because let's get real here; I gained NOTHING - but I will gladly take one for the team. read more

Husband and I decided to have a staycation in the city for valentine weekend due to the ice storm in the DMV. Got a room in the city and hit up a few spots near our room for dinner and drinks. Hubby had mentioned a bad experience previously at Trade Bar near our hotel...he mentioned that he was turned away at the door and felt that it was discrimination when he attempted to come here before. Tonight we decided to give it a 2nd chance. Maybe the experience he had before was just a misunderstanding. Nope...walked in at 920pm and the bar area was scarce but the host told us immediately upon seeing us that there were no seats, and no availability due to last call. I asked what time was last call and he said 10pm, almost 40 minutes away....we leave, no fuss, go upstairs to Black Whiskey (who has the same last call) and get seated instantly. We mentioned to our server what just happened downstairs and he was appalled and dumbfounded. Long story short, if your black and gay your not welcome here. Frequent somewhere else. read more