DC's LGBTQ+ History: Nob Hill

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This corner spot in Columbia Heights was once the site of Nob Hill, a popular African American gay bar. Nob Hill operated from 1957 to 2004, and, according to the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), which documented the site in 2016, this longevity made it "the oldest continuously-operating LGBTQ nightlife establishments in the District and one of the oldest gay bars in the country." Thus, Nob Hill has been called the "granddaddy of black gay clubs."

The 1920s era building housed a dry cleaner/laundry prior to Nob Hill opening. Despite formally opening as a bar in 1957, Nob Hill initially served as a private social club starting in about 1953. The social club, like the bar, catered to gay African American men. Many Howard University students would frequent Nob Hill, as the bar served an important function. At the time of its opening, the city was still very much racially segregated, and this extended to nightlife and entertainment. Therefore, LGBTQ+ African Americans established their own social spaces, particulary along 7th and 14th streets NW near Howard University.

In addition to Nob Hill, there was The Cozy Corner at 708 Florida Avenue NW. Later on, in the 1970s and into the 1980s, other LGBTQ+ African American nightlife spots opened, including La Zambra at 1406 14th Street NW, and The ClubHouse at 1296 Upshur Street NW, amongst others. During these decades, African Americans started to gain some acceptance at the District's historically-white gay bars.

Today, the building serves DC's community as Wonderland Ballroom, a bar that is open to all regardless of race, gender, or sexual identity. 

This is a stop on the DC's LGBTQ+ History Tour.

This site was documented, along with four other DC bars/clubs, by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 2016 as part of its DC LGBTQ Nightlife project.

For more information about DC's LGBTQ History, please see the Historic Context Statement for Washington’s LGBTQ Resources.