Ziegfeld's

Ziegfeld's/Secrets is a dual-themed nightclub in Washington, D.C., with Ziegfeld's featuring drag queens, and Secrets featuring strippers. The entertainment venue first opened in 1980, was forced to close in 2006, and reopened in a new location in 2009.

History

Originally located at 1345 Half Street SE, the circular venue was divided by a wall with a shared bar in the middle and connecting doors.

The Ziegfeld's side of the venue featured a large stage adorned on either side by a giant silver high heeled shoe. Each weekend on Friday and Saturday drag queen Ella Fitzgerald (née Donnell Robinson[1]), a staple at the venue, hosted her "Ladies of Illusion" for two performances a night (one on Sundays.) The shows lasted approximately an hour and featured five drag queens doing a variety of performances for packed crowds.

On the Secrets side of the venue there were fully nude male dancers (catering to a mostly gay male crowd). It was one of the few venues in the United States where male strippers are allowed to dance fully nude.

In 2006 the property was seized by the District of Columbia via eminent domain and torn down, along with many other gay-oriented businesses, to make way for the new Nationals Park baseball stadium.[2]

The closing of the bar, compounded with the loss of several nearby LGBTQ businesses, was met with outrage and disappointment. Many were concerned whether a new location could be found. Under District law, businesses with a liquor license that permit nude dancing can only relocate within their current zoning district or in a central business district. The new location would also have restrictions on proximity to residences, churches, and schools.

New location

In early 2009, Ziegfeld's/Secrets reopened at 1824 Half St., SW, Washington, D.C., a few blocks southwest of its former location. The transfer of its liquor license to the new location was approved,[3] and the club set a "grand opening" date of February 13, 2009.[4] The nondescript building is all black with a neon pink "Z/S" above the door.

The current venue maintains the theme of two connected bars, now divided by two levels: drag performances on the first level, with all-nude male dancers on the second level. Leading lady Ella Fitzgerald continues to perform at Ziegfeld's.

References
  1. Sean Bugg, "The Last Inning," "Metro Weekly," April 14, 2005
  2. Hank Stuever, "Ballpark Blues," "The Washington Post," April 4, 2006
  3. Lou Chibbaro, Jr., "Ziegfeld’s/Secrets cleared for license in new location," "Washington Blade" May 16, 2008
  4. "Drag Queens to Inaugurate Southwest Venue," SWDCBlog Archived February 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine

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