Bare Cocktails

Up until almost ten years ago, one of my favorite bare activities was to attend a local event sponsored by one of the several Washington, D.C., nudist social groups. The monthly (and sometimes twice a month event) was promoted as either “Nude Cocktails,” “Naked Happy Hour,” or a variety of other names indicative of the fact that it was clothes free and alcohol consumption was strongly encouraged.

For a number of years, this event was one of the few in the nation’s capital area that was consistently regular and well attended, even during the winter months. The popularity of the event helped to create a broad interest in same gender loving (bisexual and gay) nudity in the area. As a university undergraduate in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region, I vividly recall an expansion of the bare practitioner crowd among the gay and bisexual community during the early 1990’s.

The concept of the “nude cocktails” or “naked happy hour” was already in place before I attended my first one in the early 1990’s. The idea wasn’t too difficult to imagine. The growth of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) community brought about a marked proliferation in bars and nightclubs catering to the GLBTQ population. The growth triggered competition among the businesses serving this community.

The result of this competition was that when the bare practitioners approached a bar catering to the GLBTQ audience and asked for their cooperation, it wasn’t long before an enterprising management saw an opportunity and agreed to host the event. Thus, “nude cocktails” or “naked happy hour” was born. Not surprisingly, it survives even until this day.

The idea of a bar operating for bare clientele was a refreshing a new strategy in the nation’s capital city. Technically, the bar wasn’t “open.” It was the management theory that the facility would be the place for a “private” function, not accessible to the public. No admission was charged and the bare practitioner attendees would purchase their beverages which would, in turn, generate funds for the establishment.

To my knowledge, none of the bar staff were ever completely clothes free during these events, except for one memorable time. That was the date that Jay and I first met one another, January 3, 2009. It was the staff person who kept the bar stocked with liquor and mixers, kegs of beer and other duties. He proudly stripped himself completely bare and wore only his work-boots and socks! I can hardly blame him for not wanting to damage his toes!

Over the years, the sponsoring bare practitioner organization of “Nude Cocktails,” “Naked Happy Hour” or whatever the current title of the event has changed. The bar hosting the gathering has varied, also. The activity still enjoys popularity, especially during the winter months when there isn’t too much else available. This does remain  virtually the sole social nudity function within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that caters to the entire same gender loving (bisexual and gay) naturist or nudist community no matter what club or group you belong to or are affiliated with.

The ever-changing sponsorship and location of the bare practitioners afternoon cocktail party serve a very important purpose. They keep the event both interesting and relevant. It’s like having a new event to attend every couple of years. For those who become bored after so many nude cocktails, there’s always the option of attending a textile (clothes-wearing) happy hour!

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride