These laws combined with virulent anti-black racism to exclude African Americans from popular queer-friendly nightlife spots like the Chicken Hut (1720 H St, SW) and Johnnie’s (500 8th St, SE).

Like almost every other segment of life, the Disctrict’s queer nightlife scene in the first half of the twentieth century was divided along racial lines codified by federal law. Nob Hill emerged at the tail end of a period when racial discrimination was still legal in Washington, DC. In 1957, Nob Hill opened to the public but still catered to black gay men, especially those attending the nearby Howard University. When it closed, Nob Hill was the oldest continuously-operating LGBTQ nightlife establishments in the District and one of the oldest gay bars in the country.īeginning in 1953, the building served as a meeting space and private social club for queer African American men. Between 19, the structure housed Nob Hill, a bar catering to African American gay men. This is a two-story brick structure located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.