The nightlife scene might be slow after the holidays, but there’s still plenty of action around town, including a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties that morph into drag shows and a free sing-along screening of “KPop Demon Hunters” at the Smithsonian. There are multiple chances to set your intentions for 2026 at vision board workshops. Go out to dance to the first ladies of funk and soul, play bingo or expand your Dry January palate with a tasting of a dozen nonalcoholic wines and ciders. Not partaking in Dry January? Crown D.C.’s best coquito at a showdown of top mixologists. Or you could join the director of the Natural History Museum to talk about walruses.
Friday, Jan. 9
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ viewing parties
By this point, it’s possible that nothing can slow “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which is in its 18th season with a new cast of 14 queens competing to impress the ageless RuPaul and Michelle Visage. “Drag Race” viewing parties remain staples at D.C. LGBTQ+ bars, and they’re the perfect way to kick-start Friday night. Admission to all these parties is free.
Kiki stands out among the local bars for having a host who actually competed on “Drag Race.” Jasmine Kennedie, of Season 14, and local queen Crimsyn share hosting duties on U Street, beginning at 8 p.m. Afterward, at 10 p.m., there’s Serve, a drag show with an all-trans cast.
At Trade, “The Jax & Evry Show” starts at 7 p.m., an hour before the new “Drag Race” episode, featuring local stars Jaxknife Complex and Evry Pleasure, plus Wess the DJ and special guests. (Don’t forget, happy hour runs until 8.)
Citrine does double duty at JR’s, hosting the 8 p.m. viewing party and the 10 p.m. Vitamin C drag show, which features different themes and performers each week. Arrive before 8 for $5 rail drinks and $8 vodka Red Bull.
Her Diner welcomes back Mia Vanderbilt and Indiana Bones as hosts of its 8 p.m. viewing party and the drag show that follows. The Adams Morgan nightspot is the rare bar that allows customers to make table reservations for “Drag Race,” but spaces fill quickly, so you might want to look a week out.
Tiffany D. Carter, Druex Sidora and Frieda Poussay are the three hosts at Red Bear Brewing, providing commentary and performing during commercial breaks at the NoMa brewpub.
Vision boarding weekend
No more excuses: This is the week to get those resolutions down on paper in collage form, with multiple New Year’s vision boarding workshops taking place around the area. On Friday, ArtsClub DC opens the doors to its Dupont studio, supplying materials like vintage magazines and a mini photo printer to help you bring your intentions for 2026 onto a piece of art you can hang in your home. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $65.) The Georgetown outpost of Shop Made in DC is also inviting participants to collage a vision board covered with dreams for 2026 on Saturday afternoon (3 to 5 p.m. $48.81), while Shop Made in VA is hosting its “Vision Board Experience” on Sunday morning in Old Town Alexandria (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $33.12). Looking for something more informal? The Creative Suitland Arts Center is hosting Visionary Vibes, “a vision board pajama party,” on Sunday morning. Come dressed to be cozy while you work on setting your goals and enjoy light refreshments. A champagne toast is included. (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $17.85.)
Saturday, Jan. 10
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Korean Treasures’ at the National Museum of Asian Art
There are only a few weeks left to see “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared” at the National Museum of Asian Art, and if you’ve been putting off visiting this major exhibition of Korean culture, whose partners include the National Museum of Korea, maybe hordes of demons will spur a visit to the National Mall. A sing-along screening of last year’s smash musical “KPop Demon Hunters” is taking over the NMAA’s Meyer Auditorium on Saturday night. There are links to “Korean Treasures” in the movie — one of the images in the exhibit makes an appearance on screen — but curators are obviously hoping that revived interest in modern Korean culture will lead to a new appreciation for the country’s rich history (and art). 7 p.m. Free; reservations recommended.
Punk with Purpose at St. Stephen’s Church
You’ll often hear lifestyle gurus talk about the importance of beginning the new year with purpose. The purpose of this all-ages Positive Force concert, which unites the jazz-punk fury of the Messthetics, the teenage riot grrrl energy of Petrichor, the post-hardcore of Old Knife, and Don Zientara’s Don Z Scheme, is to raise money for Transition House, which provides housing and services to people experiencing mental health issues. Come enjoy the music and local art, and bring donations of nonperishable food, such as pasta and canned vegetables, for charitable organizations, including We Are Family D.C. 6 to 10 p.m. $15; $20 with entry into raffle.
‘Morris & Friends: An Evening of Opera & Gospel’ at Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church
Grammy-winning bass Morris Robinson brings a cast of singers to the Takoma Park church for a performance that starts with traditional opera and ends in uplifting gospel. Crowds can expect Mozart’s “In diesen heil’gen Hallen,” Donald Lawrence’s “When the Saints Go to Worship,” and more at this concert, part of the Anna H. Wang Concert Series’s 2026 lineup. Come early at 6 p.m. for a pre-show talk with WETA’s Evan Keely. 7 to 9 p.m. $49 for general admission; free for students.
Sunday, Jan. 11
Booze Free Bingo at metrobar
Dry January doesn’t have to be boring. Nonalcoholic group Booze Free DC hosts a sober-conscious bingo afternoon at the Edgewood bar, where guests can grab mocktails (including Shirley Temples and blueberry mint lemonade) or NA beers. 1 p.m. $11.
Happy Daze Clothing Swap at Dock 5
Need a new year’s closet clean out? Bring items of clothing, shoes and accessories in good condition to Union Market’s upper-level event space, lay out your haul and start shopping. You can bring up to 25 items, but leave the event tees (including marathon or sports club merch) at home. Swap leftovers will be donated to So What Else, a D.C.-area charity providing material aid to underserved families. Noon to 2 p.m. Free.
Monday, Jan. 12
Coquito Wars at Bryant Street Market
This annual competition challenges D.C. bartenders to whip up the best version of coquito, Puerto Rico’s traditional Christmas cocktail that can be compared to a tropical, coconut-milk-infused eggnog. For its 2026 edition, Coquito Wars jumps to a new venue, moving to Bryant Street NE. Your ticket includes two hours of unlimited samples of different coquitos, created by eight mixologists from hot spots like Press Club and Allegory, and a vote for your favorite as the People’s Choice champion. You can also purchase cocktails from Alegria Bar or food from Taqueria Habanero. 6:30 p.m. to midnight. $17.85.
Motown on Mondays: Ladies Night at Everyday People
The DJs at the monthly Motown on Mondays party have collective lifetimes of experience on the turntables, and they know how to connect the dots between your favorite sing-along hits and lesser-known gems, keeping heads nodding and bodies moving while also introducing songs they think you should know. This month’s theme is “celebrating the women of soul, funk and R&B,” so D-Skillz, Harvey Dent, Miss H.E.R. and Stylus get to go deep into their record collections and find cuts that span decades and genres, before unveiling them at the U Street lounge. 7 p.m. Free.
‘Heated Rivalry’ Watch Party at Spark Social Club
Your “Heated Rivalry” rewatch (or seventh rewatch) doesn’t need to be alone. The 14th Street LGBTQ+ bar is hosting watch parties, two episodes at a time — Monday’s event continues with Episodes 3 and 4. 7 p.m. Free.
Keefer Bar and June pop-up at Service Bar
Last week, we told you that bartenders from Boston’s Wig Shop lounge were bringing a taste of their popular cocktails to D.C. for one evening only. We hope you made it to Service Bar, because a good (and delicious) time was had by all. Service Bar keeps its streak going this Monday with a visit from Vancouver’s Keefer Bar and June. Keefer Bar landed at No. 28 in the annual North America’s 50 Best Bars list, thanks to an “apothecary-style approach to cocktails,” with an emphasis on showcasing herbs and botanicals. Bartenders from Keefer and its newer sister bar, June, will be serving drinks at Service Bar, bringing a taste of Western Canada to the other side of the continent. 7 to 11 p.m. Free; drink prices vary.
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Bingo and Wings at Whitlow’s
New happy hours, events or promotions arrive randomly at this time of year, as bars try to lure customers off of their couches during the slow, cold, post-holiday months. Here’s an example: Whitlow’s is launching Bingo and Wings, promising that you could win Capitals or Wizards tickets during weekly Tuesday-night bingo tournaments. To sweeten the deal, bingo starts during happy hour, where you can fill up with a plate of eight wings for $10 between 5 and 8 p.m., and drinks include $5 rail drinks and draft beers, and $8 wine or draft cocktails. 7 to 9 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Reveler’s Hour NA Wine Fest
Nonalcoholic beers and cocktails with booze-free “spirits” get an exposure boost this time of year, as sober-curious drinkers experiment with Dry January. But if your tipple of choice is a glass of chardonnay, or something fun and bubbly, you might feel left out. Reveler’s Hour to the rescue! The Adams Morgan wine bar, run by the sociable sommelier Bill Jensen, hosts a NA Wine Fest with an assist from Bruce Blosil, who imports nonalcoholic wines, ciders and alternatives from producers on both sides of the Atlantic. A dealcoholized sparkling wine aged for three years and a French heirloom cider made with a blend of 12 apples are among the products in Delmosa’s portfolio. Sample a dozen different beverages over the course of two hours, and if you find something you love, you can take home a discounted bottle, or grab a glass to sip over dinner. 5:30 p.m. until last call. $25.
‘Walrus: Life on Thin Ice’ at the National Museum of Natural History
Kirk Johnson, the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, has researched the extinction of the dinosaurs and led expeditions that excavated dozens of mastodon skeletons. But according to a press release, “the walrus has been a creature close to his heart for 40 years.” Johnson served as host of last year’s “Walrus: Life on Thin Ice,” a PBS Nature episode exploring the impacts of climate change on walruses. That documentary screens Wednesday night at the museum, followed by a discussion featuring Johnson and PBS Executive Producer Fred Kaufman. (First question: How do we get to play with a baby walrus?) 6:45 p.m. Free; registration required.
A People’s Choir at DC9
After a nearly six-year hiatus, A People’s Choir, a karaoke night that asks the whole room to join in on each song, returns to DC9. It’s a casual sing-along, but there’s no sweat if you don’t know the tunes; the choir suggests making up your own lyrics. 7 p.m. Free.
Christmas Kostume Karaoke at Trusty’s
Hope you haven’t packed away those blinking ugly sweaters or tinsel-covered elf ears yet, because this month’s Kostume Karaoke at Trusty’s has a Christmas theme. Isn’t it extra special to sing “Last Christmas” wearing a Santa suit? Give your tackiest holiday outfit one more airing this season, or pick through Kostume Karaoke’s curated selection of house props and accessories before choosing your favorite seasonal songs. The party takes place upstairs in the Bus Bar and on the heated rooftop deck. 7 to 11 p.m. Free.
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