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A new LGBTQ-friendly establishment called Kiki made its anticipated debut on New Year’s Day, making fresh use of the building that formerly housed iconic watering hole Velvet Lounge (915 U Street NW). The U Street NW strip’s gay bar scene is on the up as of late. “I want this space to be inclusive and safe, but also warm, inviting, and interesting wherever you look.” Hurd hopes that patrons will come for the drinks and stay to make friends. He’ll also offer the space for events and invite in musicians for live performances. Moving forward, Hurd plans to rotate in batched cocktails he’ll run through a tap with different cocktails on special daily. We too often step around our unique identities.”Ī post shared by LICHT Cafe & Bar with other recent bars, the bathroom has also received attention to detail with jet-black wall paper adorned with textured felt patterns that give it a “backroom” vibe.
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“I love art and design,” Hurd says, “and I wanted to make the bar unapologetically gay. One major focus of the bar is the artwork that adorns nearly every open wall space. Hurd engineered the design and construction himself, including erecting the sleek 270-degree wraparound bar that allows patrons to eye each other over the bartenders. Licht means “light” in English, and the atmosphere is less dark and moody and more bright, joyous, and warm. Licht Café is a reference to the inspiration from his go-to gay spot in Mannheim, but it also reflects his ideal cozy space. Managing supply chain woes, pandemic restrictions, and other delays, Licht Café could finally open almost two years after its conception.
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He received his liquor license in late 2019 and started the buildout in early 2020-right when the pandemic shutdown hit. In early 2019, Hurd finally landed on a space for his boutique-style café: a small former office less than a block from Vida and close to other LGBTQ+ establishments. (Hurd’s first foray into opening a business geared to the LGBTQ+ community was the now-closed Whiskey Ginger, a clothing shop.) Yet there did not exist a homey, Euro-style café that encouraged small crowds to linger and mingle over highballs and coupes. There were dance clubs (Town and Cobalt, both shuttered) and lively standbys. to take his NASA gig, he noticed a gap in LGBTQ+ bar offerings. We too often step around our unique identities.Īfter Hurd touched down in D.C. I wanted to make the bar unapologetically gay.