A bold and unapologetic addition is coming to Washington, D.C.’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene: District Eagle, a kink-forward bar opening Wednesday. Tucked away on U Street in Northwest, the new space is tailor-made for kink and alternative lifestyle communities, hoping to fill a lingering gap in the city’s vibrant but evolving nightlife scene.
“We designed the establishment first and foremost for our LGBTQ+ kink communities,” said Zach Renovátes, managing partner of District Eagle, in an interview with The Advocate. “This is something completely unlike anything else in Washington, D.C., right now, on purpose.”
The name “Eagle” carries weight in LGBTQ+ history, symbolizing kink-friendly spaces serving as havens for self-expression worldwide. But don’t get it twisted: District Eagle isn’t part of a franchise. Each Eagle bar stands on its own, shaped by the unique culture of its local community. District Eagle is no exception, with Renovátes promising to build on that legacy while carving out its identity.
“When people hear the term Eagle, they have natural connotations about what they might come to experience,” he said. “We intend to not only live up to those expectations but exceed them.”
The bar’s design and concept also tip their hat to the Prohibition era, when the 18th Amendment banned alcohol sales and consumption from 1920 to 1933. Speakeasies emerged as secret, illicit venues offering more than just booze — they became a refuge for people seeking freedom from societal norms. Hidden behind closed doors, patrons indulged in gambling, cross-dressing, and open expressions of queerness.
“Those spaces weren’t just about breaking the rules,” Renovátes explained. “They were about creating freedom where none existed.” District Eagle’s concealed entry and thoughtfully immersive design channel that spirit of rebellion, offering a sanctuary for those eager to let loose and be themselves.
District Eagle promises an unforgettable journey from the moment patrons step inside. The entry is hidden behind a vintage 1950s candy vending machine inside the end of Lucky Pollo Peruvian Chicken, a restaurant. While District Eagle has no exterior signage, security staff will wear branded vests to assist patrons, a nod to the secrecy of Prohibition-era speakeasies. Once through, Renovátes said, patrons will find leather-padded walls, vintage foundry patterns, and a merchandise shop enclosed in a custom cage. Every detail has been meticulously crafted in collaboration with designer Jasin Cadic, whose previous work includes the nearby LGBTQ+ nightclub Bunker.
tk caption: District Eagle washington DC leather barZach Renovates/District Eagle
“We are the only LGBTQ+ speakeasy in D.C. if not one of the only ones in the country,” Renovátes said. “It’s intentional to pay homage to the necessity of secretive and hidden spaces for our LGBTQ+ community in decades past.”
He said programming will include themed nights like “Jockstrap Wednesdays” and “Gear Fridays,” with discounts for patrons who embrace the dress codes. Events will cater to a diverse range of subcultures, from leather and latex enthusiasts to rubber and pup community members.
Renovátes envisions District Eagle as more than just a bar — he wants it to be a community hub. “We truly want this to be a space where people can email us, message us, and say, ‘Hey, I’m a member of the [fill in the blank] community. Can I host an event or happy hour?’” he said. “That’s how bars thrive and succeed — by the customers who inhabit them.”
Still, he acknowledges the space won’t be for everyone. “It’s okay to have unique spaces that certain communities can say, without hesitation, ‘This space was designed for me,’” Renovátes said. “Some people may not find it’s the space for them, and that’s OK.”
Renovátes emphasized that District Eagle is committed to creating a welcoming space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender and lesbian patrons. “We are fully embracing everyone under our LGBTQ+ designation,” he said. “To include our trans and lesbian brothers and sisters, this is not a space that is trying to segment itself from others but rather be inclusive and designed for kink communities.”
District Eagle is next to Bunker, a nightclub in which Renovátes is also a managing partner. He said the two venues will complement each other, allowing patrons to use their receipt from District Eagle for free entry into Bunker on select nights.
“The idea here is to make all of our establishments feel accessible to those of different means,” Renovátes said. “If we know they’ve been at both establishments, then a cover isn’t necessary for that specific night.”
tk caption: District Eagle washington DC leather barZach Renovates/District Eagle
This interconnectedness also influenced the bar’s location. “We want to continue to activate the 14th and U Street location to be the epicenter for LGBTQ+ nightlife in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
District Eagle’s opening couldn’t come at a better time, as D.C. gears up to host WorldPride. Renovátes sees the bar as an essential addition to the city’s offerings, particularly given the closures of several LGBTQ+ spaces in recent years.
“It is of the utmost importance as we approach WorldPride to set D.C. on a world stage for nightlife,” he said, “to include spaces that are inherently designed and focused around the kink communities.”
At its core, District Eagle is about encouraging patrons to embrace their unique identities. “We are strongly encouraging customers to show off their uniqueness, to show off what their kink is, and bring that scene into our space,” Renovátes said.
