Trade

Tonight Mar 14 2026 I had one of the most disrespectful experiences I’ve had at a bar in Washington, DC. I was at Trade, a place that claims to be welcoming and inclusive. The bar was extremely crowded. A security guard came behind me and asked me to move. I was already trying to make space when he repeated the request again — this time in an aggressive tone. All I said was: “Can you give me a moment to move?” For simply asking for a second to step aside in a packed bar, I was immediately told to leave. Let that sink in. Not for being drunk. Not for causing a scene. Not for being disrespectful. Simply for asking for a moment to move in a crowded space. What made the situation even more frustrating was speaking with the manager afterward. I explained what had happened, hoping for some level of accountability or concern. The response I received was simply: “Ok… sorry.” That was it. No attempt to understand the situation. No real explanation. No effort to handle it professionally. Being treated this way in a place that markets itself as a welcoming community space is extremely disappointing. Respect should go both ways — especially from staff whose job is to manage situations calmly and professionally. Experiences like this should not happen.

I spent a nice time inside but as soon as I headed towards the exit I realized my friend was missing. I took one step outside, When I went to turn back in to find him a man grabbed the back of my jacket and thrusted me around saying “show your id!”. I understand that you want to follow rules but putting your hands on a customer in that regard is extremely disrespectful and I was so shaken I will not be returning.

Trade is your typical DC gay bar. Basic Top 40 Hits for the Alo Gentrified Gays What makes this space typical DC is their lack of where condescending ends, and policy begins They will have Security smoking inside, but when called out on where their smoking policy begins, they get start acting like you’re the problem Typical DC.. you brand yourself as woke but called out on your behaviors you choke with double standards. It’s rather sad to see

Loved it here. They’ve expanded and it was much needed. Their outdoor space was great! Drag hosts for rupaul’s drag race weren’t that great but you don’t come for them.

The new dance floor is great but the music could be so much better. They play tons of "electronica" that nobody knows which I think is the DJ's preference. Everyone keeps dancing but looking around like they can't wait for the song to change. A song may happen to come on that everyone knows and everyone goes crazy with excitement, that should be the sign to play different music.