Trade — Restaurant in Washington

Based on conversations I've had with locals, I think I may have just gone on an off night, but what I read this place was and what I experienced were two very different things. I go to dive bars on a weekly basis and I can 100% state that this is not a dive bar, this is a typical, run of the mill gay bar. However, the two bartenders manning the bar were super nice and professional and kept things moving at a great pace while I was there. Upon entering I immediately saw a group of four women, who - to be fair I'm assuming - were straight, with one wearing a sash. I do not know what the sash read, but us older gays all have PTSD from that image. (Y'all know what I'm talking about. I will forever remember the sign at Swinging Richards in Atlanta that read "NO BACHELORETTE PARTIES.") It was about 10:30 on a Thursday night, and the inside was relatively empty, which I found odd, but I got a drink and then discovered everyone was outside. (I don't blame them, the weather here has been perfect.) I looked around and saw even more straight people. I think I even saw a few straight couples on the patio. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, I will say, but it just felt like a normal gay bar patio, straights aside, and it was super packed, so I bolted inside like a scared child with ADHD. (Because I'm basically a scared child with ADHD.) I sat inside for a few drinks, and during drink three while hoping that something would shift in the air and the parade of straight people and gay men that all looked the same and basically wore the same outfit would change into something more interesting, the sash girl ran onto the dance floor and her posse HAD GROWN IN SIZE. That being the last straw, I downed my drink and left into the night. (Sorry to the guy that sat down near me who might have done that to strike up a convo, it wasn't you it was sash girl.)

I am going to think about that girl for a long time. I really hope she's not straight and wasn't co-opting a queer space for her own enjoyment. That's what this place did to me: it made me hope a straight girl...

I'm truly disappointed to write this, especially since I genuinely like Trade and usually enjoy the good vibes of the venue. However, an incident on July 5th completely ruined my experience and left me quite shaken.

As I was leaving, simply holding a cup of water, a bouncer aggressively grabbed my necklace, physically pulling me back inside to take the cup. The force was so significant that my necklace snapped, and I was left with a noticeable bruise on my neck. There was absolutely no need for such aggression.

The bouncer's actions were shockingly rude and utterly unprofessional. To make matters worse, no apology was offered for the physical harm or the distress caused. It's incredibly disheartening that what is usually a great spot was overshadowed by such an unprovoked and violent encounter with a staff member. Management at Trade needs to seriously address this individual's behavior and ensure this doesn't happen to...

Possibly the best gay bar in DC. Unpretentious, very social, down to earth. It is much easier to meet guys here, everyone seems to enjoy the music and friendlier unlike the other gay bars around it. Lighting is perfect. It's not too bright to the point that makes you too self conscious. DJs play mainstream tunes and remixes and of course gays like that. Drinks are better compared to the other bar that I refuse to mention. Bartenders are also quite nice.

edit: I always liked this place and I thought that the sketchiness of it is appealing. But when a bartender lost my credit card and they couldn't do anything about it, that makes this place literally sketchy. I never had a problem the lack of furnishing but what happened was so weird. They also don't accept mobile IDs unlike the other gay bars. Even with all...