JR's Bar — Restaurant in Washington

Not all safe spaces are created equally.

Edit: I was not going to elaborate further until I saw the blatant lie that was posted below by the business, that came with a total lack of accountability and acknowledgement of how the space is actually curated to be. Before I respond further, I do encourage all of those reading this to review the other 1 star reviews further and consider the common thread amongst them.

The bar is composed predominantly of a particular race. Not an immediate disqualifier as we know many queer spaces in DC, and just spaces in general, break down to be this way. However, they play music matched up to a loop of videos. In this loop of videos they include videos of those practicing various religions, specifically Muslim and middle eastern spiritual practices, to different songs that are not appropriate in context. These are videos of closed and special celebratory practices within these faith and cultural expressions being exploited for cheap entertainment.

This made several guests very uncomfortable, and we left. I have pictures and video of said synced videos, but out of respect of those people in those videos I will not post them here in order to prevent exploiting their culture and identities further.

Most businesses who want videos to play alongside music choose to just pay the licensing fees for the accompanying video. I'm going to assume JR's is either too cheap or just doesn't care. It's 2022 we should all know better and subsequently do better.

Again this space is safe for some queer people, but certainly not all, and certainly not those of various cultural, spiritual, and racial backgrounds. Do better.

I hate that I spent any money there tonight and I will ensure that I and anyone that I associate with...

The worst place I have ever been in my whole life. I went here two nights in one week. The first night, the customers in the bar were aggressive and bitter. One would not take his hands off me. Literally, every 30 seconds I was getting grabbed. Then a friend I was there with was backed into a corner where three guys were yelling about how he might be young and cute now but he will get old fat and bald. Unreal. We came back a few nights later against our better judgement (we did not know of another place open late). The second night, we walked outside and a man whom had his ear sliced in half and his throat cut told us he had just been mugged. We called 911 and helped him the best we could as he was bleeding terribly. After police/ambulance arrived, we walked down the block to catch a cab and another man approached us and told us he had just been mugged here last week! You'll either get attacked in the place our just out...

I always go here whilst in DC as I only drink in Italy or at a gay bar -- mostly because I am cheap. I love JR's loft to people watch. Everyone in DC is very amusing -- from the type a consultants to the managers of mcmanagement to the soulless federal employees to the socialites who haven't discovered southern California is a far superior place to live in every measurable way. I always bring my posh/bougie friend (also Californian) who always asks if they have a wine list / drinks menu. We've been twice over the course of a year and ordered the same thing both times and both the drink and bill were smaller for #2. The nice bartender made a NA drink for my friend who decided he didn't like it after consuming two thirds of it (posh people... am I right?) Overall, a great affordable place to absorb the warm hvac, people watch, and...