Get Ready for Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend in Washington, DC!
Thousands of men, women, and nonbinary peeps into leather and other fetishes will descend on Washington, DC for the annual Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL) on January 13-16, 2023, during MLK weekend.
The historic leather event started in 1976 as an impromptu cocktail party by a group of Leathermen staying at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. MAL grew and moved to a series of bars in various East Coast cities. By the mid-80s, the leather contest was introduced and the DC-based group, The Centaur Motorcycle Club, started organizing the event as a weekend destination party that has only grown in reputation and size. Mid-Atlantic Festival also provides critical support to the LGBTQ+ community, raising more than $150,000 in 2023 for local non-profit organizations.
Where to Stay
Every year, the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill sells out during Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, and this year is no different. The Phoenix Park Hotel and YOTEL Washington DC (1 to 3-minute walk from the host hotel) are additional places to stay, but if you’re looking for a place to stay, you’ve already missed the deadline date to book a room at these hotels. The Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill may have rooms available. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the host hotel. Click here for more information about alternate options and places to stay for MAL.
Events
In addition to the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest, there are numerous scheduled events and activities, including the Mr. International Rubber Cocktail Party, the Onyx Show, Parade of Colors, and Parade of Titleholders from around the US and world. For the curious who just want to pick up a few items to feed their kinks or fetishes, you can head to the Leather Market or Exhibit Hall which includes more than 25 vendors selling everything from customized leather harnesses to sex toys. Kinetic Events also hosts fun parties throughout the weekend, and this year isn’t any different. On Thursday, it’s BOOTCAMP at Bunker; UNCUT XL at Republiq Nightclub on Friday; KINETIC: KINK at Echostage on Saturday with a special performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Violet Chachki; and discoVERS XL at Zebbie’s Garden on Sunday with a special performance from adult entertainer Boomer Banks. For more information and tickets, visit KineticPresents.com.
Tickets & Passes
If you’re interested in attending MAL, you should know that all the MAL Full Weekend Packages have sold out, but you can purchase Day Passes onsite for the Exhibit Hall only which range in price based on how many days (Single Day Pass – $15, Saturday & Sunday Pass – $30, and the Friday-Sunday Pass – $40).
You can also purchase tickets to the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Contest for $30 at the Centaur Store in registration during registration hours.
Want to know more about MAL? Your official MAL sources include the MAL Leather Weekend website, the Centaur’s X (Twitter) account, and the Official Facebook Group. Vacationers can also check out our list of annual fetish events for kinky queer travelers for more travel inspiration.
