Born in 1971, the DC Eagle stood as a fierce symbol of D.C.'s leather, kink, and queer subculture for nearly five decades. From its early days on 9th Street to its sprawling final home on New York Avenue, the Eagle hosted countless leather contests, drag shows, rooftop raves, and moments of unfiltered freedom. In March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the bar closed its doors for good—marking the end of an era. Though the space is gone, the spirit of the Eagle still lives on in every harness, howl, and head-turning strut.
