Guerrilla Party Tactics

Laura Jamey, from left, Monica Hesse and Risa Rice join other gays and lesbians at July's Guerilla Queer Bar Takeover at the Big Hunt in Dupont Circle. Once a month, the group gathers at a usually "straight" bar for the night. (Photos Katherine Frey -- The Washington Post)

Mulry and Jones attended those parties and had a great time. Earlier this year, the friends were reminiscing about the Cafe Saint-Ex takeover and decided to revive the idea. "We got in touch with Boaz and asked him if we could continue the party if he wasn't going to do it anymore," Mulry says. "He helped us plan the first one [at McFadden's in April], but it's been the two of us since."

Jones says the pair chose McFadden's, a Foggy Bottom pub known for its post-college singles scene, for their first event because it doesn't usually appeal to a gay crowd. "There was a buzz about [the first two parties Boaz threw]," Jones says, "but I would go to Saint-Ex anyway.

"That's why I wanted to do McFadden's -- it has a reputation for being fratty, and I wanted to do something more radical, make a statement."

Also, Mulry says, "It has two levels, and I liked the idea of just taking up a corner, so if we felt unsafe, we could just blend into the woodwork." As it happened, there were no problems. Mulry says the DJ caught on and started playing Madonna and Cyndi Lauper tunes for a group of more than 60 Guerillas, who spent most of the night on the dance floor.

So far, the group has also managed to "invade" the Reef in Adams Morgan and the Hawk and Dove on Capitol Hill. "It would be awesome if, anywhere we went, everyone would feel like it was a chance to have fun and get whatever they want out of the night, drinks, flirting . . . but we have to be able to sell a place. Amy and I appreciate irony and would like to [organize a takeover at] Hooters," Jones laughs. "But [when we went to] McFadden's, people didn't come, and some [later] said, 'Oh, I thought it was some dirty Irish place.' "

It hasn't been easy to find bars that appeal to everyone. "Some places [that have been mentioned]," Mulry says, "we've gotten people saying, 'That place is so queer already,' and with others, they say, 'I don't know if I'd feel safe there.' " Safety is an issue for the Guerillas -- given the tactics of "occupation," Jones and Mulry are wary of potential flashpoints between straight and gay clientele. So far, there's been only one incident: A gay man was punched by a straight man during the takeover at the Hawk and Dove. Jones and Mulry don't know what precipitated the attack, but they are working with the D.C. police's Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit to try to prevent future problems. (Jones and Mulry understand that straight patrons may be annoyed by a takeover at their regular bar, but if it's any consolation, they'd love it if straight folks decided to head to Cobalt or Chaos for the night. They are planning such a "reverse takeover" in the future.)

For their part, the organizers say they're just trying to help area gays and lesbians see beyond the usual lineup of bars. "Guerilla Queer Bar gives people an opportunity to explore in a safe space," Jones says. "They'll show up [for an event] and find out the bar has their favorite beer on draft or they have great music on the jukebox, and they can come back later."

The next Guerilla Queer Bar Takeover is Friday at the Riverside Grille (3050 K St. NW; 202-342-3535) at Washington Harbour. The group will start gathering about 9. Visit groups.yahoo.com/group/guerillaqueerbardc for more details.