JR's Bar
✨ Vibe
A legendary Dupont Circle pillar, this high-energy neighborhood haunt blends historic LGBTQ+ significance with a spirited, welcoming atmosphere where showtune sing-alongs and drag performances take center stage.
🍸 Best For
Showtune sing-alongs, high-energy drag shows, LGBTQ+ history tours, weekend "Sunday Fundays," and casual neighborhood drinks.
🔥 Highlights
- Musical Mondays: Experience a celebrated D.C. institution every Monday night where the entire bar joins together for a spirited, choir-like sing-along to iconic musical theater videos.
- Historic Legacy: Proudly serving the community since 1986, JR's is the historic birthplace of the famous 17th Street High Heel Race and remains a central landmark for D.C.'s queer history and activism.
- The Second-Floor Overlook: The venue features a unique balcony loft that provides a perfect bird’s-eye view of the show floor "antics," stained glass windows, and high-energy performances below.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Enjoy exceptional value with no cover charge, daily drink specials, and a popular weekday happy hour that runs until 8 PM.
- The bar is strictly 21+ and while they don't serve a full food menu, they keep the crowd happy with complimentary fresh popcorn all night long.
🔄 Weekly Events
Flashback + Goldilocks 📻
A night of retro music and trivia challenges.
Showtunes 🎭
Musical Mondays at JRs.
Showtunes (Musical Mondays) 🎭
A long-standing DC tradition featuring musical theater clips and sing-alongs.
Showtunes Replay 🎶
An afternoon encore of showtunes favorites.
Vitamin C 💊
Themed drag shows every Friday night.
Vitamin C Drag Show 👠
Themed drag shows to kick off the weekend.
Happy Hour
$4 Skyy | $4 Draft Truly | $7 Vodka Redbulls
📰 In the News
Washington, D.C. delights for LGBTQ+ travelers — despite political turmoil
JR's Bar serves as a longtime hub for nightlife, activism, and community in Washington, D.C., and is a featured stop on local LGBTQ+ history tours. The venue continues to be a central location where the city's queer history unfolds through social gatherings and visibility.
38th Annual DC High Heel Race 2025 held in Northwest
JR's Bar and Grill is highlighted as the historic birthplace of the annual 17th Street High Heel Race, which began outside the venue in 1986. The bar remains a central landmark for the event, representing a significant piece of the LGBTQ+ history and community spirit in Washington, D.C.
Upcoming High Heel Race marks Dupont’s struggle to remain D.C.’s LGBTQ+ hub
JR's Bar remains a landmark of Washington D.C.'s Dupont Circle nightlife and serves as a key organizer for the historic 17th Street High Heel Race. General manager Eli Downs highlights the venue's resilience in the face of rising operational costs, safety concerns, and neighborhood gentrification.
A Guide to DC’s Best Gay and Lesbian Bars
JR's Bar is a long-standing Dupont Circle staple that has been a fixture of the D.C. gay scene since 1986. The venue is well-known for its "Musical Mondays" showtune sing-alongs and offers daily drink specials, including affordable drafts and Sunday deals on vodka cocktails.
The Queer Capital: Historic LGBTQ Spaces in Washington, DC
JR's Bar is featured as a landmark LGBTQ+ destination in Washington, D.C., celebrated for its long-standing presence in the Dupont Circle community. The venue is recognized for its welcoming environment and historic role in the city's queer nightlife scene.
Recent Reviews from Google
Having lived in DC many years ago and frequenting JR's all the time, its was fun to go there again on a recent trip. The good thing is that this legendary Dupont Circle bar has not changed and that is...
I adore JR’s You must definitely make JR’s part of your romp thru town. It has happy door people, very very funny and smart artists who are fantastic drag queens and high fun energy and smart. There...
Went here to try my chances of meeting someone. Different age groups and mostly standing, but I don't mind that. Cool place with nice people. It can get very crowded and hard to hear myself think when...
Fun vibes inside. Crowded the inside very easily. They have an overlook section.
What a nice little neighborhood bar! Located at the end of Church Street no less, stands a brick building with high ceilings, stained glass windows, a small second floor loft, with music videos of...
