In the heart of Washington, D.C.’s LGBTQ scene, Spark Social House is shaking up nightlife—without the alcohol. Nestled at 14th and U Streets, this new venue transforms from a cozy daytime café into a lively DJ-fueled dance spot, offering craft mocktails instead of booze. Owner Nick Tsusaki discovered an opportunity in this. Talking to the Washington Blade, he said, “One statistic I found was that 38% of American adults don’t drink… Alcohol isn’t required for fun. This is about connection.”
Having bartended across D.C., he noticed a demand for mocktails, yet patrons often hesitated to ask for them. Tsusaki himself rarely drinks. Recognizing the challenges nondrinkers face in nightlife, he wanted to create a welcoming space. The role of alcohol and the LGBTQ community is a hot topic. Issues related to excessive dependence on Alcohol have been discussed extensively here at Queer News Tonight. Guests at Spark’s soft opening praised the concept. One customer said, “Traditional gay bars are important, but there’s a culture shift.”
Our South Florida gayborhood of Wilton Manors takes note of this type of business expansion in Washington D.C. Could this model for a new business work in Wilton Manors and other large LGBTQ communities. Queer News Tonight will follow this story closely.
