WASHINGTON, D.C.
Washington, D.C., the power center of the U.S. And the home of Mid-Atlantic Leather, the biggest leather event on the East Coast.
Hot-spot neighborhoods: Dupont Circle, Logan Circle
Drink Fuck Shake Buy Crash Eat Pump Trim Hang See Plan More
WHERE TO DRINK (AND CRUISE)
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct NW, Downtown) Meet DC studs in a convenient Downtown location. link
Trade (1410 14th St NW, Logan Circle) This popular DC spot is home to the Monthly Leather Social hosted by BLUF Washington DC. link
Uproar (639 Florida Ave NW, Le Droit Park) A bar most loved for its rooftop lounge and its Friday Bear Happy Hour. link
WHERE TO FUCK
The Crew Club (1321 14th St NW, Logan Circle) Where DC’s gay power brokers go to let loose. link
The Crucible (412 V St NE, Eckington) A primarily pansexual membership-based BDSM playspace in Northeast DC. link
Glorious Health Club and Art Gallery (2120 West Virginia Avenue NE, Ivy City) It’s a health club, and it’s an art gallery. In other words, it’s a sex club. The GHC goes for a ’70s vibe. It’s most popular for its semi-monthly Hummer DC parties. link
WHERE TO SHAKE YOUR ASS (AND CRUISE)
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct NW, Downtown) Dance shirtless upstairs at the Lantern. link
Man Upp Dance parties for DILFs. link
WHERE TO BUY GEAR
Bite the Fruit (1723 Connecticut Ave NW, Dupont Circle) Let yourself be tempted at this sexy shop in the Dupont Circle area. link
Carhartt – National Harbor (142 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD) For classic work gear. link
Carhartt – Potomac Town Place (15200 Potomac Town Pl, Woodbridge, VA) For classic work gear. link
TrickBox (2300 Rhode Island Ave NE, Brookland) An essential gear shop located on the outer limits of the district. link
WHERE TO CRASH (AND MAYBE FUCK SOME MORE)
College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (3501 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD) This leather-friendly hotel is located on the campus of University of Maryland. link
The Dupont Circle (1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Dupont Circle) True to its name, this hotel is located right on Dupont Circle, the gay center of DC. link
Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill (525 New Jersey Ave NW, East End) Convenient place for MAL to get your Hilton points. link
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave NW, East End) Host hotel for MAL. link
Phoenix Park Hotel (520 N Capital St NW, East End) Official overflow hotel for MAL. link
Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle (2121 P St NW, Dupont Circle) Sleek, modern hotel near Dupont Circle. link
The Westin Tysons Corner (7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA) Host hotel in the northern Virginia ‘burbs for Master/slave Conference. link
YOTEL Washington DC (415 New Jersey Ave NW, East End) Convenient gay-friendly hotel for MAL. link
WHERE TO EAT (AND CRUISE)
Annie’s Paramount Steak House (1609 17th St NW, Dupont Circle) This popular spot near Dupont Circle reels ’em in. link
The Duplex Diner (2004 18th St NW, Adams Morgan) Dinner with a side of camp near Dupont Circle. link
Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant (555 23rd St S, Arlington) Super-gay pub with grub across the Potomac. link
The Little Gay Pub (1100 P St NW, Logan Circle) The name says it all. link
Mr. Henry’s (601 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Capitol Hill) Gay-friendly classy joint with pub grub, craft beer, and live music. link
Red Bear Brewing Co (209 M St NE, Near Northeast) Gay-friendly laid-back hangout. link
Shelly’s Back Room (1331 F St NW, Penn Quarter) Basic lounge dining in a cigar-friendly environment. link
Ted’s Bulletin (1818 14th St NW, U Street Corridor) All-American cuisine in a gay-friendly setting. link
Uproar (639 Florida Ave NW, Le Droit Park) More than a bar. You can dine here too. link
Zeke’s Coffee of DC (2300 Rhode Island Ave NE, Brookland) After you’ve picked up some nasty gear at TrickBox, chill out for a while with a latte. link
WHERE TO PUMP IRON (AND CRUISE)
VIDA Fitness Logan Circle (1517 15th St NW, Logan Circle) It’s located between Dupont Circle and Logan Circle and it’s gay, gay, gay! link
VIDA Fitness U Street (1612 U St NW, Dupont Circle) Rumored to be even gayer than the Logan Circle location! link
WHERE TO GET A BUZZ CUT AND BEARD TRIM
The Neighborhood Barbershop (417 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA) Recommended by beardmen. link
WHO TO HANG WITH
BLUF Washington, DC For men into full dress leather uniform. Join these guys for their Monthly Leather Social at Trade. link
The DC boys of Leather The fun-loving group where boys will be boys. link
Centaur Motorcycle Club The local leather legends, going strong since 1970, put on Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend every January. link
Highwaymen TNT A self-described “trashy group” of Leathermen who love to travel. link
Masters And slaves Together: DC Local DC branch of the organization for those who live the lifestyle. link
Masters And slaves Together: Frederick Local Maryland branch of the organization for those who live the lifestyle. link
Masters And slaves Together: Fredericksburg Local Virginia branch of the organization for those who live the lifestyle. link
Mid-Atlantic Uniform League Uniform men of the East Coast. link
ONYX Mid-Atlantic A club for Leathermen of color. link
Potomac Motorcycle Club Leather bikers of DC. link
SigMa DC (1636 R St NW, Dupont Circle) A BDSM group for Leathermen that hosts regular educational events. link
WHAT TO SEE WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN
Dr. Franklin E. Kameny Residence (5020 Cathedral Ave NW, Palisades) This former home of a gay-rights pioneer is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the critical early work in the fight for gay rights took place in this house. link
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
January
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend Kick off the new year with MAL, the East Coast’s biggest leather event. link
September
Master/slave Conference An annual gathering of those who live the lifestyle. link
MORE PLACES
[Suggestions? Corrections? Contact me!]