Philadelphia’s Gayborhood will soon welcome an exciting new addition. Little Gay Pub, a popular Washington, DC gay bar, will open its doors in the spring on the corner of 13th and Drury Streets. Known for its eclectic atmosphere and strong community ties, the pub has become a DC hotspot, attracting both locals and celebrities. Now, the founders of Little Gay Pub are ready to bring their unique brand of hospitality to Philadelphia.
PGN caught up with co-founders Dito Sevilla, Dusty Martinez and Benjamin Gander – veteran DC bartenders – to learn more about their journey and what Philly can expect from their new venture.
From barback to bar owner
The Martinez story is one of dedication and evolution within the service industry.
“I’ve basically been in the industry my whole life, since I was about 15,” he said.
Over the course of his career in DC, he rose from go-go boy to bartender and eventually became general manager of Trade, one of the city’s most famous gay bars. But the pandemic caused Martinez to rethink his path.
“The pandemic was kind of the impetus for me to take the initiative and do something like the Little Gay Pub,” Martinez said.
Sevilla’s path into the bar industry was more of a happy accident. After returning to Washington DC from college, he worked at a regular bar in Dupont Circle.
“From one day to the next, I was busy editing menus and training staff,” he said.
From then on, his passion for service and creating a welcoming atmosphere grew and he spent almost 20 years at that bar before the pandemic prompted him to look for something new.
“I fell in love with the idea of creating a home for people and putting my own touch on it. It’s very selfish, honestly, but also very rewarding,” Sevilla said.
The third partner, Gander, brings extensive experience and a reputation for meticulous operations management. Gander was the general manager of Number Nine, a popular bar in Washington, DC, for more than a decade
“Ben (Gander) is a legend in the industry,” noted Sevilla.
Gander’s attention to detail and commitment to customer service were crucial to the success of the Little Gay Pub.
A vision for Philly: combining history and hospitality
The decision to expand to Philadelphia was not an easy one. All founders value the city’s rich history and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
“Philadelphia is another city on the east coast and was also the capital of the country. This is where the first gay marches began,” explained Sevilla.
The connection to history is central to The Little Gay Pub’s identity, and the founders are committed to infusing Philadelphia’s own LGBTQ+ heritage into the new location.
The premises themselves, which used to house the burger bar “The Commodore”, stood empty for years before the team decided that this was the perfect place for their next project.
“It lured us like a siren,” Martinez said.
The pub will have a similar vibe to its DC counterpart, with a focus on creating a space that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. A unique aspect of the Little Gay Pub is its commitment to preserving and showcasing LGBTQ+ history. The pub’s walls and ceilings are adorned with historical anecdotes, newspaper articles, and artifacts honoring the past struggles and victories of the LGBTQ+ community. The Philly location will continue this tradition by collecting and displaying local history, making it a living museum of sorts.
Welcoming the community with open arms
The founders were pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome they received in the Philly community.
“Everyone told us that Philadelphia would tell us to fuck off and leave their city,” laughed Sevilla. “But the 100% crazy opposite happened.”
The team is committed to integrating into the local LGBTQ+ scene, not as outsiders but as community contributors. They plan to keep the doors open during construction and invite neighbors to participate in the process.
The Little Gay Pub’s expansion to Philadelphia isn’t about replicating what they did in DC, but rather about creating a space that’s uniquely Philly.
“We’re taking the Little Gay Pub and turning it into a Philly bar,” Martinez said.
The new location will be two stories high and feature a skydeck and open-air bar, bringing a new experience to the Gayborhood.
And of course, no mention of the Little Gay Pub would be complete without mentioning its famous, over-the-top bathrooms. In DC, bathrooms are known for their playful, extravagant design, complete with sleek decor and cheeky wallpaper.
“The bathrooms have become a legend of sorts,” Dito says with a laugh. “We’re definitely bringing that same energy to Philly.”
Hold firmly to your beliefs
In addition to their commitment to history and community, the founders aren’t afraid to take political stances, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. The pub has become known for its open support of progressive causes, including its recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It really comes down to one word, and that word is authenticity,” Sevilla said. “We would be hypocrites and liars if we were three people with different political views who were anti-LGBT and came to a town, put up some flags and said, ‘Hey, gays, give us your money.'”
For the team behind Little Gay Pub, the bar is more than just a business – it’s a place where the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe, supported, and celebrated. As they prepare to open their doors in Philadelphia, they’re excited to bring their vision of a welcoming, history-filled environment to a new city.
“We just want to contribute to the community,” Martinez said.
And given the warm welcome they have received so far, the community seems ready to embrace them as well.
