In Alexandria’s vibrant and eclectic Del Ray neighborhood, a unique pop-up bar concept has become a temporary fixture for the local LGBTQ+ community. In early May of this year, Del Ray Pop Up Bar transformed into Pride on the Avenue, a lively celebration of diversity, inclusion, and pride. Originally planned to run for the month of June, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, overwhelming support from the community led to an extension through late August.
Pride on the Avenue is the brainchild of Bill Blackburn and Mike Anderson of Homegrown Restaurant Group (HRG), who also manage several other popular spots in the area. Since its opening in late 2011, the pop-up bar has been a beloved fixture in Del Ray, but its transformation into Pride on the Avenue has given it new life and purpose. “Pride [on the Avenue] is a cocktail celebration of the many sexualities in our world as well as a showcase of inclusion and openness in our company, neighborhood of Del Ray, and City of Alexandria,” said Blackburn, emphasizing the bar’s role in fostering a welcoming environment.
The decision to extend Pride on the Avenue’s run was influenced by the enthusiastic response from patrons and the pressing need for more LGBTQ+ venues in Northern Virginia. Freddie Lutz, owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, has been a vocal supporter.
“I told [Anderson] if he is smart, he’d keep [the theme]. Del Ray needs a gay bar,” Lutz remarked.
The need for such venues is underscored by data from The Williams Institute’s 2023 “Adult LGBT Population in the United States” report, which found that D.C. has the highest percentage of LGBT adults in the country, with 14.3 percent identifying as LGBT. Given a similar report in 2006 found that D.C. had about 11 percent more LGB people than the VA-8 (Arlington-Falls Church) U.S. Congressional District (8.1 percent vs. 7.4 percent), it’s likely that today at least 10 percent of Arlington-Falls Church residents identify as LGBTQ+. With 800,000 total residents of VA-8, this should include at least 80,000 LGBTQ+ residents. With 3.2 million in the greater region, the likely LGBTQ+ population of Northern Virginia is several hundred thousand strong.
Despite these numbers, as well as the sea change in LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in our region and across the country, Freddie’s — which has a maximum capacity of 160 — remains the only permanent LGBTQ+ establishment in the entire greater Northern Virginia region. It’s no surprise that the pop-up concept took off in Del Ray.
One of the most popular events at Pride on the Avenue is Drag Bingo, held every Tuesday from 6-8 pm. Co-hosted by Katja Attenshun and Cammy Quandary, the event features four rounds of bingo interspersed with dynamic performances, including a halftime show, by local drag performers. The show found its way to the pop-up after Attenshun’s performance at Pork Barrel, another HRG venue.
Diversity is a major focus of the show. “Some [performers] are current title holders, some are former Ru girls. This week our two guest spots are bearded queens of color. We make a point to focus on highlighting BIPOC, Trans, and non-traditional drag types,” said Quandary.
Quandary, who describes themselves as the “Jester of Ceremonies” and uses they/them pronouns, has a background in musical theater and film, with a career spanning decades. Their drag persona has flourished over the past six years, bringing a blend of education and entertainment to the community. “I personally use my platform for education and inclusion,” Quandary explained, noting their efforts to merge academic and emotional queer education with fun. Whether through stories like ‘My Shadow is Purple’ during Drag Storytime or as a tabletop grand master in Dungeons & Dragons, Quandary aims to promote inclusion and visibility through whimsy and creativity.
Pride on the Avenue has brought much-needed additional space for the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Virginia, serving not only a place to gather and celebrate, but a platform for education and advocacy. This underscores the importance of such inclusive spaces, and the need for more permanent LGBTQ+ venues in the region.
Pride on the Avenue (2312 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA) is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., and Sundays 4:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit delrayspopupbar.com.
