Phase 1 Dupont

Like anyone on a typical Friday night after a long week, I needed a drink. During the week I researched lesbian bars and came up with slim pickings. I decided to go with Phase 1 Dupont because it was the closest. So I went and it was closed. Next time I’ll call before I make a trip, but I find it to be ridiculous that a bar is closed on Friday.

Great atmosphere and friendly staff, plus a big enough dance floor that you aren’t constantly getting elbowed and booty bumped by rude, sweaty people. Excellent DJs who play a nice variety of stuff ranging from 90s hip hop and dance to modern top 40, club music.

We had a good time, the staff was friendly, but the drinks were weak.
Be aware not all the girls are really girls.

I’ve given this place many chances and have always left disappointed. There’s always a cover that is too much paired with their expensive drinks. Also it’s cash only and the drinks aren’t strong. Every time I’ve been here there’s been the same type of people, and if those people are your thing then you’re in luck, however, not my scene. I’ll stick to the other Phase.

Fantastic place for lesbians to go who love the club scene. Different from Phase Eastern Market in that it is an actual club and not just a bar. $ 5 cover, strong drinks and they always have events going on!

I’ve given this place many chances and it always disappoints. Like others have said, the décor is the same as what it was when it was APEX. There is never a crowd there even during an event, it’s just a hand full of people. The events there are not well advertised — only advertising the day before an event or having posters on Facebook that tells you the date of an event but not the time etc. And the shows are lack-​luster. At least APEX had good shows. Of the handful of people that are there, there seems to be an awful lot of men for «the largest lesbian club» When approaching the bartender, I asked her to make me whatever her specialty drink is — all bartenders have one or can at least make something up– She looked at me and asked what a specialty drink was. I said just make whatever you can make really well… she said «Um Jameson on the rocks?» Oy! That was just sad. This place is oddly reminiscent of Herndon’s former «So Addictive»…and I am pretty sure that this place will also share the same fate as well.

I was really disappointed to see that this «new» club looked exactly like the previous club that was here — Apex. I thought they would remodel and make it a lot nicer. It’s still the same with slight remodeling in the back room. While the music the night I came was much better, then Apex ever used to play. The club is still exactly the same with not so good air ventilation. I will admit though the sound here is much better, the bartenders were alright. Not rude, but not friendly. Eh.

Myself and the girls couldn’t wait to see the new Phase 1… unfortunately it was rather disappointing. I must say however, that the drinks were strong and the bartender was great. I always like the setting at Apex so I still like the setting but hate the fact that the place is empty. I too think the cover charge is OUTRAGEOUS! Its hard enough to get lesbians to come out to a big club and then you think the way to bring them is a huge charge. BTW everyone here is talking about there being only one lesbian club in DC… Lace is an AWESOME lesbian club on Rhode Island avenue that is owned and run by a woman. It’s perfect for lesbians: bar on first floor with TV’s playing the the days sporting events, nicely decorated like a lounge with leather couches, full menu with a 5 star chef (buffalo wings to filet mignon) and if you wanna dance you go downstairs where there’s a DJ, VIP area, and a nice dance floor.

This is a pretty fun place. Enter a giant club with 5 bars on just first floor. Great music, great lights and strong drinks. So many bars and clubs water down their drinks and use many tricks to make weaker drinks. Plus there are always some sort fo specials for cheap or free drinks. Bartenders here are very entertaining and really get to know you. One of my favorite one is Jay. She is a riot and has a few special drinks she designer herself. Make sure to ask her for some and tell her Boris sent you. Staff in general here is very friendly. I was hitting on the security guard and he didn’t throw me out at all. We had a nice friendly conversation. Music selection here is great and they use some great light show. Only problem this place has is the fact that not many people go there. I don’t really understand why. It has so much going for it. I really hope they don’t fallow the fate of Apex.

Ive given this place multiple chances. Like… a LOT.
I’m always disappointed. They are over priced. The staff is rude. one staff member in particular, when I left her a 100% tip, replied with «oh, is that my tip?» with some shitty, snarky tone, counted it and rolled her eyes.
There was a blow job/​drug deal in the bathroom stall next to me.
Most of all, it appears to be a gay men’s club that they are just calling a lesbian bar. Not hating, just saying.
They also seem to stick to this «largest lesbian club in the nation» phrase that they keep throwing around.
Largest in square footage? I wouldnt doubt it for a minute.
But a club that big seems pretty empty when there are only 15 people in the whole place.
I hate to say this, because Im all about equal opportunity, but… I can go to any gay men’s bar in any area of Washington DC and see drag queens perform. I dont really need to see them at my lesbian club. Drag kings? cool, whatever. Maybe its just me, I just think that seems like weird placement.
I would have given it no stars but 1. that isnt possible and 2. there is one saving grace… Dj Remix. She is freakin AWESOME.

First time and I had a great time but the Dj was a jerk. It’s so unfortunate. I asked for beastie boys the day after a member dies and he sighed and said I don’t have it. Really? It’s a club and the people who come to dance pay your salary. Simple request. Thanks.

Booooo…$ 10 cover, expensive drinks and empty dance floor… i’m pretty sure i saw tumbleweeds go across the floor! Lame

Let’s get the bad out of the way — cover is $ 10, and rail drinks are $ 5.50. Also, there’s no coat check. So if that’s enough to deter you, then this isn’t the place for you.
The good: awesome music, strong drinks, great crowd. And that’s really what I go to a club for. The space is much better than Phase 1 in Eastern Market, too — more space to dance, and more bars (5 total). I’m looking forward to being a regular here.

So, it’s time to talk about the new Phase 1.
As most lesbians are not huge club-​goers, it’s pretty impressive that there are actually two completely functioning lesbian bars in the small area that is DC. The fact that they’re run by gay men isn’t as rad, but hey what can you do.
Actually, the fact that they are run by gay men is kind of evident. Not as much with the O.G. Phase, as it is on the small side, kinda quiet, with a few big nights here and there throughout every few weeks. The new Phase, however… Let’s just say you can tell that it used to be Apex.
First of all, it’s waaay too loud in there. I’m all for dancing (even though it’s usually pretty awkward looking), but I don’t think anyone wants to scream to the bartender so they can order their next drink. They do have a back room, which is kind of quieter, but still. If it’s not hella busy, why crank up the music so loud that the small groups of whispering lesbians can hear each other?
I AM NOT A FAN OF THE TEN DOLLAR MOTHER FUCKING COVER. That should be known to anyone who wants to head out there. It’s fucking oouuuutrageous. And on top of that, the drinks are mad expensive and they’re cash only. I think the ATM charges some ridiculous $ 4 fee, so don’t get your money there. Come prepared. And I mean that in two ways (pregame, y’all).
Also, they lost major points with me for caving into the prude lesbians who didn’t want to see lesbian porn on IN THE REMOVED BACK ROOM THAT IS COMPLETELY AWAY FROM EVERYTHING ELSE. Look ladies, it’s a 21+ bar. I’m sure you’ve seen some p*ssy in your day, so don’t act like such a puritan. If you don’t want to see it, don’t go up there. There are THREE other bars inside, you don’t have to be such a Debbie Downer.
I guess it is really nice being in a bar that’s in Dupont (Eastern Market is pretty outta the way for an AU girl like myself) that’s marketed specifically towards lesbians, though. I don’t get the creepy vibe in there like I get in Town, either, so that’s a definite plus.
I don’t know. I’m not a huge fan, but let’s be honest, I’ll be back.

Two stars for finally offering another option for lesbians in DC. Also, it’s in Dupont instead of all the way in Eastern market and the music was decent after the queens finished. So points for that.
This place is obviously owned and operated by a man, which wouldn’t be a problem except he seems to have not consulted any women when renovating (or, really, not renovating) the old Apex. Nothing on the interior has changed, except that there is now pink paint on some walls. The only person who would open a lesbian dance club, expecting hundreds of women to come and drink, and think the place would need only two working bathroom stalls and 4 urinals is obviously a man. No one wanted to see drag queens anyway– we can do that at any other gay bar in DC. Don’t close off an entire bathroom so they can have a «private dressing room» and you can force people to spend an hour waiting in line for the only working bathroom.
Also, your advertising for opening night looked like you were trying to attract scores of drunk frat boys to a spring break party. Get real. People will only come for the novelty of a new lesbian bar for so long.