Pride Month: Bar Crawl, Pop-Up Bar, More Experiences In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Pride Month in June celebrates LGBTQ culture, rights and identity, Alexandria will have various events and experiences to celebrate.

Pride Month coincides with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which happened after a. police raid of the Stonewall Inn gay club in New York City on June 28, 1969. Pride Month became more well known across the U.S. in the following years and was nationally recognized in 1999.

According to the city government, Alexandria was Virginia's first locality to have sexual orientation as a protected class in its 1988 human rights ordinance. In addition, a local bar owner successfully challenged a Virginia law banning alcohol sales to gay people in 1991. In 2023, Alexandria received a perfect score for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index.

The City of Alexandria will kick off Pride Month with the Alexandria Pride Fair on Saturday, June 1. Below are the notable events happening throughout June for Pride Month.

Alexandria Pride Fair: Saturday, June 1, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Market Square 301 King St., Alexandria, VA

The Alexandria Pride Fair allows attendees to learn about 50+ LGBTQ+-inclusive businesses and agencies as well as enjoy food trucks, music, and dance workshops, and free confidential health services. The event will include the unveiling of a new Pride-themed rainbow crosswalk in Old Town (weather permitting) and a Pride Month proclamation.

Pride on the Avenue Pop-Up Bar: Opening to be announced

Location: 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA

Del Ray’s seasonal pop-up bar from Homegrown Restaurant Group will next become "Pride on the Avenue" with a new interior look and new craft cocktails. The pop-up is expected to last through the summer. Homegrown Restaurant Group will donate $500 each week to Equality NOVA, a local nonprofit that supports the LGBTQ+ community. Follow the Del Ray Pop Up Bar on social media for updates on the opening.

LGBTQ+ Pride Cross Stitch: Tuesday, June 4, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room, 4701 Seminary Rd. Suite 104, Alexandria, VA

Ages 13 and up are invited to work on a pride cross stitch.

Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 2nd Friday Highlighting Pride Month: Friday, June 14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: 105 N Union St., Alexandria, VA

Torpedo Factory Art Center stays open late every second Friday of the month through summer. Guests can explore the building full of artists, music and art activations.

Let Your Pride Shine: Thursday, June 13, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, VA

Celebrate Pride Month by decorating mason jars with solar lights and dried flowers to represent pride affiliations.

Diversity Book Club - "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe: Monday, June 17, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Join for a discussion of "Gender Queer," Maia Kobabe's 2019 banned graphic novel. The event is limited to 20 people.

Raising Unicorns - Creating Affirming Family/Community Space for Trans Children: Friday, June 21, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Professor Collen K. Vesely of George Mason University will discuss the experiences of trans children and tips for adults who work with them.

Official Pride Bar Crawl: Saturday, June 22, 4 p.m. to midnight

Location: Alexandria Bier Garden, 710 King Street, Alexandria, VA

This 7th annual bar crawl invites attendees to express themselves and celebrate love, diversity and inclusion. A portion of ticket sales will no go nationwide pride nonprofits. Last year's event provided $14,905 to the Trevor Project and other nonprofits. Ticketed attendees have access to inclusive bars, exclusive drink specials, and freebies.

Pride Drag Brunch at King & Rye: Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 480 King St St., Alexandria, VA

Enjoy a southern brunch with drag entertainment. Tickets are $30 with a $25 minimum food and beverage purchase.