17th Street Festival 2023

17th Street Festival Washington DC 2023

17th Street is the gay epicentre of D.C. in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood of Washington, D.C., just a few minutes walk from Dupont Circle Metro stop, and is home to some of the city’s top gay and gay-friendly bars and businesses. Here you will find glam mixed with button-down conservative types who work on Capitol Hill–and everything in between.

• Visiting for the Festival? Stay steps from the event on DuPont Circle. Stay at the Lyle DC, rated Superb with delicious breakfast options and spacious rooms.

The 17th Street Festival

• The Festival celebrates 17th Street and its diversity of restaurants and retailers. The event hots100 vendors, with more than 60 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewellery, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Other vendors include nonprofit organizations, political groups, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.
• Events kick off at 12pm with live music and stage show performances featuring Jazz, Drums, Dixie, Flamenco Mariachi and African acts.
• The Festival ends at 6pm as people make their way to the gay bars and restaurants for the after-parties.
• The event attracts several thousand visitors from across D.C. and beyond.

The Venue

The Festival takes over 17th Street N.W. from P Street to R Street, N.W., in Washington DC — the 1500 and 1600 blocks of 17th Streets, NW. 17th Street hosts several LGBT events, including the 17th Street High Heel Race and the Capital Pride Parade. The neighbourhood also has several gay long time favourites, including:

• Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse – a local favourite for over 60 years, famous gay Upstairs Lounge and busy weekend brunch.
• DIK Bar – Simple but delicious Italian dishes are served in this eatery with a patio & bar hosting regular karaoke nights.
• Floriana Restaurant – Intimate white-tablecloth bistro and home to cosy gay-popular Dito’s basement bar.
• J.R.’s Bar and Grill – Gay watering hole with a patio popular for happy hours, show tunes and videos. A must visit when in D.C.

Gay Washington DC

• Dupont Circle – One of the most traditional gay neighborhoods in the area, Dupont Circle is full of interesting shops, cafes, bookstores, bars, and restaurants all geared toward the LGBTQ community.
•  Adams Morgan is another popular neighborhood, a multicultural neighborhood centered on the happening nightlife scene around 18th Street. The stretch buzzes with eclectic bars, music venues and international restaurants.
• Stay at The Line Hotel, located in a neoclassical 20th century church, close to all the city’s gay attractions. Perfect for praying away your weekend sins!

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action

Hotel Palomar,    The Dupont,    Rouge Hotel,    Mason & Rook Hotel