After a three month closure, As You Are (AYA, 500 Eighth St. SE), a cornerstone of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond will reopen Thursday, Aug. 1.
Co-founders Rach Pike and Jo McDaniel say they will celebrate with a Grand Reopening at AYA. It’s set to be a festive weekend Aug. 1 to 4, featuring diverse events including dance parties, karaoke, brunch and even a few surprises.
View this post on Instagram
The building has been closed since April 8 after heavy rains caused extensive damage to the building forcing a closure for assessment and repair. In an April Instagram post, As You Are DC Co-Founder Jo McDaneil said that engineers and contractors had been on site and that they were waiting on a timeline from landlord White Star Investments.
In the meantime, As You Are kept the community together via collaborations at venues such as Trade Bar and pop-ups at Union Market’s La Cosecha. The community ed staff through the closure via donations.
The closure came only a few months after the Barracks Row safe space had raised more than $150,000 to help settle debts from the extensive renovation and soundproofing of the building and prevent it from closing.
“We are more than just a bar,” said co-founder Jo McDaniel. “[W]e are a community.” That community’s , McDaniel added, has meant the world to the staff both over the last few months and since As You Are opened in March 2022. “We have been honored to build an inclusive, vibrant space with everyone who has walked through our doors,” McDaniel continued, “and we can’t wait to celebrate and create this new chapter with all of you – welcome home.”
Co-founder Rach Pike said the two co-founders were excited to feel the sense of community in the Barracks Row location, thankign all those who have ed the venue and their work over the past few months. Pike especially thanked As You Are’s community partners who helped As You Are hold in-person events across the city and those who offered ideas for collaboration. “Now that our doors are open again, we can’t wait to see you!” Pike concluded.
As You Are Reopening Weekend Events Schedule
Thursday, August 1
12 p.m.: AYA officially reopens
7 p.m.: Karaoke upstairs
Friday, August 2
12 p.m.: AYA opens for the day
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Mother dance party – Rihanna, Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, & more
Saturday, August 3:
12 p.m.: AYA opens for the day
10 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Fishnets and Feelings – emo night dance party
Sunday, August 4:
12 p.m.: AYA opens for the day
7 p.m.: Karaoke upstairs
Co-owners Rach Pike and Jo McDaniel say that they are thankful for the community’s and for the opportunity for AYA to continue to be a welcoming, inclusive space for the community to gather.
Follow events at As You Are on their website asyouaredc.com or follow them on Instagram @asyouaredc
