Ten Wonderful LGBTQ+-Owned Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

In just four years of operation, this cozy Logan Circle cocktail den has established itself as one of the neighborhood’s most tried-and-true date night classics. And cozy isn’t an exaggeration — there’s only 850 square feet to work with, but that hasn’t stopped longtime local hospitality pros Jean Paul Sabatier, Drew Porterfield, and Ralph Brabham from making good use of the space. Wood paneling, dim lighting, campy patterned wallpaper, and forest green accents evoke a playful mid-century vibe while a tidy cocktail list transforms hand-selected spirits into equally playful concoctions like the Should We Be Bad? (bourbon, cold brew coffee, St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, velvet falernum, orange bitters). Grab a seat in the large bay window overlooking 14th Street, order up some Southern-influenced snacks, and settle in to enjoy some quality people-watching and even better company inside.

No frills, no fuss, just a Capitol Hill classic that’s been dishing up American comforts with a side of LGBTQ+ pride for upwards of 60 years. Old school vibes set the tone inside — weathered wood booths, historic photos on the walls, Tiffany-style lamps hanging above the bar. Things get a little more lively on the sunny dog-friendly patio, where a diverse lot of regulars chop it up over crispy wings, juicy burgers, and tall glasses of orange crush (or whatever fruit happens to flavor Mr. Henry’s Crush of the Week). Brunch is an especially hot sell, as is the nightly live jazz performed upstairs. It’s no wonder devotees refer to this joint as the “Cheers of Capitol Hill” — proudly displayed rainbow flags and all.

Walk-ins only. Learn more here.

Now with several locations under her belt, celebrated D.C. chef and restaurateur Jamie Leeds kicked off her mini-empire with a friendly gayborhood seafood spot named after her fisherman father Hank Wolfe Leeds. The OG Capitol Hill location is still going strong, as are several others, serving what Leeds calls “Urban Beach Food” to a loyal crowd day-in and day-out. Come for the Hog Island-style BBQ oysters and perfectly crisp fish and chips, stay for unbeatable happy hour specials like salmon cake sliders with Old Bay-dusted fries best paired with a glass of devilishly potent punch.

A James Beard-recognized steakhouse? Check. 77-year-old family-owned fixture? Check. A living monument to LGBTQ+ history in the District? Double-check. This Dupont throwback was named after Annie Katinas — a dearly departed longtime bartender and sister to founder George Katinas — who back in the ‘70s famously told two men holding hands beneath the bar, “You don’t have to hide that here.” And that anything-goes ethos is still in full swing, from the warm and welcoming staff to a menu that runs the gamut from shrimp po’boys and Maryland crab cakes to pot roast and towering slices of coconut cream pie. You won’t find any wrong answers here, just a local landmark where inclusion and prime sirloin have gone hand-in-hand for decades on end.

Walk-ins only. Call 202.232.0395 to reserve for groups of six or more. Learn more here.

With 20 draft beers served by the stein (or the pint, but where’s the fun in that?), this German-style beer garden from business duo Biva Ranjeet and Christopher Lynch has been keeping NoMa well-fed since 2015. The pair make good use of the indoor-outdoor lot’s 13,000 square feet, switching up the decor to match monthly themes from canopies filled with soccer balls for the 2024 Euros to an explosion of color for this month’s World Pride takeover. Beer not your thing? The cocktails and wine also hold their own, while local vendors like Littler Miner Taco and CaliBurger supply some much-needed sustenance. Stop by for one of the spot’s regular high-energy events — Eurovision watch party, anyone? — or reserve a shaded cabana and throw your own while the good music, good drinks, and good times roll.

Truthfully, this list could easily include any of KNEAD Hospitality + Design’s seven-plus D.C. outfits. But this colorful Mexican concept from KNEAD founders — and married couple — Jason Berry and Michael Reginbogin stands out from the pack thanks to both chef Roberto Santibañez’s contemporary cuisine and a funky-fun aesthetic that makes it the perfect backdrop for celebrating Pride. The Wharf location is the way to go, with its soaring ceilings, bursts of artistic flair, and waterfront patio — though rest assured you’ll find the same steal of a bottomless brunch at the 14th Street and Penn Quarter branches, too. And at $31.99, the 90-minute all-you-can-drink deal is nearly impossible to turn down, especially when you’re pairing refreshing Ponche de Lolas (mango-Infused vodka, reposado tequila, ginger, guava, mint, strawberry, bubbles) with hand-crushed guacamole, plump popcorn shrimp with habanero slaw, and chilaquiles smothered in spicy-smoky tomatillo sauce. Salud, indeed.

When Seattle transplants Cameron Raspet, Bryan Van Den Oever, and Simon Bee brought Red Bear Brewing Co. to the then still up-and-coming NoMa in 2019, they knew they wanted to break the brewpub mold. And as D.C.’s first and only gay- and veteran-owned craft beer operation, they definitely did. Today, the hulking 7,000-square-foot space has become a go-to for 24 top-notch house-brewed beers on tap — the West Coast IPAs are the best in town — alongside satisfying burgers, salads, shareables, and more. It’s all served in an airy, laid-back atmosphere stocked with endless board games, competitive trivia nights, and drag bingo. And if you thought the name was a subtle LGBTQ+ nod, you’d be right — as co-founder Van Den Oever said ahead of Red Bear’s grand opening, the moniker is a cheeky reference to the pub’s “red-haired, bearded” owners.

Walk-ins only.

Fresh on the scene is this Union Market haunt, the latest from the out-and-proud team behind Logan Circle institution Jane Jane. Perched on the northern end of industrial 4th Street, Bar Betsie delivers self-described “party vibes for everyone” via a dramatic backlit bar, vintage signage, and festive red neon lighting — not to mention nostalgia-fueled finger foods like Lil’ Smokies with BBQ sauce and grape jelly and tangy buffalo chicken dip loaded with cream cheese. The divey-meets-swanky ‘60s soiree theme extends to the drinks program, too, where staples like cosmos, Negronis, and daiquiris share space with intoxicating originals like the Silent Star (rye, cognac, lime, creme de cacao, chocolate bitters) and Devil in a Red Dress, a zingy combination of tequila, passion fruit liqueur, and lime, finished with a splash of pinot noir. If you’ve always wanted to cosplay the Mod Squad while stuffing your face with Cheez Balls, this one’s for you.

Walk-ins only.

The 2023 follow-up to Knead Hospitality + Design’s original Bistro du Jour at the Wharf, this East Side offshoot adds a chic, updated twist to the group’s 2021 Parisian-style hit. For starters, it’s massive, an Art Deco-inspired expanse spread over 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of Mass Ave’s sleek new Royal Sonesta hotel. But that’s not the only thing dwarfing the waterfront location, with the new spot significantly expanding its lineup of French specialities to include, among other enticements, a $32.99 bottomless brunch. Served until 3 p.m. all weekend long, the menu pairs 90 minutes of free-flowing French 75s, bellinis, mimosas, and more with decadent omelets, tarte flambée littered with bacon lardons, and classic steak frites. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a quality weekday happy hour are also on offer, but let’s be real — you’re here to brunch.

Part daytime café, part laid-back bar, part late-night dance club, and 100% unabashedly queer, As You Are — or AYA — has carved out a unique place for itself since first opening its doors in early March 2022. Stashed on a sunny patch of 8th Street SE, industry vets Jo McDaniel and Rach “Coach” Pike are behind this punky outpost for all-day sandwiches, snacks, cold beer, and straightforward cocktails. On any given afternoon you’ll find pilsner-sipping regulars in snapbacks glued to a WNBA game in one corner while college kids hunch over sketches and lattes across the room and parents holding toddlers catch up over glasses of rosé on the sun-drenched sidewalk patio. Come nightfall, however, a rotating cast of DJs, karaoke bashes, and live performances kick the energy up a notch — all with a keen focus on fostering inclusive community in the District.

With locations in Shaw and Mount Pleasant and a devoted following, this restaurant has maintained a tight grip as one of D.C.’s top Thai establishments since hitting the scene in 2013. 12 years later, it’s safe to say that co-owners husband-husband duo Ralph Brabham and Drew Porterfield and chef Aschara Vigsittaboot have a winner on their hands. Maybe it’s Vigsittaboot’s irresistibly spicy and garlicky Beau Thai chicken and soulful tom yum soup loaded with with mushrooms, tomatoes, and shrimp. Or perhaps its the Brabham and Porterfield-influenced beverage program, showcasing inventive on-theme cocktails like the BT G&T (butterfly pea flower-spiked gin, yuzu liqueur, lime, tonic) and an eclectic, natural-leaning global wine list. Or maybe it’s the ambiance — simple and homey, with large vintage photographs lining the walls, hanging Edison bulbs, and a long sleek bar beneath a colorful paneled ceiling. Whichever element draws you in, you’ll be sure to stick around.