Bars and Nightlife

The José Gutiérrez Archives has documented the contemporary history of Latino LGBTQ nightlife. In addition to flyers, posters, and photographs, this includes interviews with members of DC’s LGBTQ Latino community. These focus on their reasons for settling in Washington, DC and their participation in emerging Latino LGBTQ social networks; these first-person accounts reflect the growing visibility of the queer community across the United States. 

By the late 1980s, LGBTQ Latinos/as/xs were meeting at special dance nights in mainstream venues like the nightclub Tracks and in several Latino restaurants. Queer Latinos also organized private events and cultural celebrations, like Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) or salsa dance parties. By the 1990s, queer Latinos had their own bars and nightclubs, like El Faro, Escándalo, and into the 2000s, Chaos. More recently, DC’s annual Pride celebration includes Latino LGBT events, which have projected digitized images from the José Gutiérrez Archives in nightclubs.

Name: Salsa Party!
Date: 1993.
Place: El Faro in Washington, DC.
Description: ENLACE organized a fundraising event for the HOLA-GAY Hotline at El Faro in 2411 18th Street, NW Washington, DC.
Photographer/Flyer: Enlace.
Jose Gutierrez Collection.

ENLACE organized a fundraising event for the HOLA-GAY Hotline at El Faro in 2411 18th Street, NW Washington, DC.

Name: Sherie Van Crawford at Escandalo.
Date: 1995.
Place: Escandalo in Washington, DC
Description: Sherie Van Crawford performed at Escandalo, located at 2122 P St. NW.
Photographer: Jose Gutierrez.
Jose Gutierrez Collection.

Sherie Van Crawford performed at Escandalo, located at 2122 P St. NW.

Name: Miss Gay Hispanic 1996.
Date: 1996.
Place: Days Inn Hotel in Washington, DC.
Description: Miss Gay Hispanic 1996 was organized at the Days Inn hotel by Sophia Carrero and Carrero’s Production. The winner of the crown was Fiorella Bandorfino.
Photographer: Unkown.
Jose Gutierrez Collection.

Miss Gay Hispanic 1996 was organized at the Days Inn hotel by Sophia Carrero and Carrero’s Production. The winner of the crown was Fiorella Bandorfino. Photographer: Jose Gutierrez

Name: Marylyn Sulay, Victoria Armani and Gigi Couture at Chaos.
Date: Circa 1997.
Place: Chaos in Washington, DC
Description: Marylyn Sulay, Victoria Armani and Gigi Couture performed regularly at Chaos in Dupont Circle.
Photographer: Jose Gutierrez.
Jose Gutierrez Collection.

Marylyn Sulay, Victoria Armani and Gigi Couture performed regularly at CHAOS in Dupont Circle.

Name: Noa Noa.
Date: 1998.
Place: Noa Noa in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC.
Description: RIP Bella Evangelista, Miss Noa Noa, in Washington, DC.
Photographer: Jose Gutierrez.
Jose Gutierrez Collection.

RIP Bella Evangelista, Miss Noa Noa, in Washington, DC.