Preston Mitchum Dishes About DC’s Black Queer Scene and His Travels
Fans of Bravo TV’s Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard may be bummed to know that Sunday (June 25, 2023) will be the final episode of the new show’s first season. But before the season wrapped up, on episode 7, viewers were schooled on Black food culture, watched Jordan’s meltdown, and witnessed Preston Mitchum throw an LGBTQ+ Pride party for his housemates.
In the first part of our interview, Mitchum gave us travel tips for booking a vacation home with friends, restaurant recommendations when visiting Oak Bluff, Massachusetts, and more. Continuing our conversation, Mitchum spills the tea about the Black queer scene in Washington, DC, and chats about some of his favorite places in the world!
Vacationer Magazine: We talked about your favorite restaurants to visit in Oak Bluffs, but let’s shift to Washington, DC, where you currently live. What places would you recommend for Black queer folks visiting the District?
Preston Mitchum: DC’s Black and queer scene has shifted so much. I just remember years ago when I was traveling to DC during college and law school, before I moved here, how many places there were for us to go: Dream, Edge, Wet, Bachelor’s Mill, and even Apex, which was historically Black), but there were a lot of Black folks on certain nights. There were just so many places that you could go to, but now it’s disappointing to see the lack of spaces for Black queer people.
After living in DC for almost 20 years, I agree with you there, but are there specific places you hang out where Black and queer people would feel comfortable?
Outside of house parties or events sponsored by Black gay promoters, I do love the Fireplace. I think the Fireplace is a really great place for good drinks and it still has an old school home feel like a Black Cheers. I still do appreciate Number Nine. It’s a nice-looking bar inside, and I do believe the owner, Ed Bailey, has made an effort to make it better for Black queer folks in DC. As You Are is another bar I should mention. It’s a lesbian-owned bar located in the Eastern Market neighborhood.
Even with the changes, there’s still something that feels very communal that keeps me here [Washington, DC]. And even within the Black queer experience, there are different kinds of Black queer people in the District. We have an up-and-coming creative scene – art, music, and culture – in ways that I’ve never seen in DC.
If you were new to DC within the past five years you probably wouldn’t believe that. I think the people who have the gift of knowing that are people who have done a lot of research on DC or folks who have been in the city for a while. And I think that has been one of the silent gems in the District. I feel like it is making its way back.
You know people like Ari Lennox and Meshell Ndegeocello who are from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia area). You have these brilliant Black artists who I don’t think get enough credit for being from this area and continue to make it what it is today. And that is what I miss from what people call old DC.
Yes, I agree. The safe spaces and bars for Black queer folks are limited now, but maybe that’s also because things, in general, have changed for the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. But there isn’t a shortage of bars opening up in DC. More recently, Little Gay Pub and Bunker opened, and soon, Rush. Granted… they’re not exclusively Black or cater specifically to the Black queer community, but they provide more options.
Let’s move on to a couple of more travel-focused questions. Does being Black and queer dictate how you travel?
One-hundred percent! I remember someone commenting something to the effect of “I just travel wherever!” And I just thought, how privileged is that? Because the reality is it is dangerous for many Black people and queer people to travel around the world. So, I think we have to be extra mindful about where we’re going and how we show up where we go.
For folks who look at my Instagram page or pictures, they know I love a short-short and I love color. And I think part of it is that those things can be a difference between a good time and a very horrific experience in certain places. Frankly, even in DC sometimes. You know DC is considered to be a very progressive city. I’ve been called names here, in LA, and in New York.
I think it is a blessing to be able to travel without having to research the crime rates against Black people or the crime rates against queer people because it is something I do all the time regardless of where I am going. Sometimes I may not go because I don’t feel safe enough or I’ll go and be very particular about who I’m with and what time I’m getting home.
In some places, I get car service just to add an extra layer of safety. And I want to be clear that is all still coming from a place of privilege. To be able to afford to get a driver someplace is a very privileged experience. It’s not something that everyone has the financial ability to do. I enjoy traveling to different places, but I also recognize that many people won’t be able to explore the same places if they fear for their safety.
Yes, I pay attention to crime rates and safety, especially where people should live or stay. Safety is relative but you have to do what’s best for you.
That all makes sense. So, what places do you feel comfortable visiting? What are some of your favorite cities?
New Orleans is my favorite city by far; there isn’t a close second. I love the culture, the people, the dancing, the food. It’s my favorite place to go.
Two other cities outside of the US that I really love… I loved staying in Barcelona. It was such a great experience and such beautiful people. The food is out of this world and probably the best paella I will ever have in my life.
And Accra, Ghana… Oh my God! I went to Accra in 2021 for about two weeks. Talk about a life-changing experience – the people, the food! I did a lot of tours there just because it was my first time on that side of the continent. So, I wanted to soak up as much as I could like a sponge. When I tell you the night scene was great… the club scene was great. It was truly a great time! Two of my friends got married and one of them is from Ghana; so they went back home to get married, and it was such a beautiful experience.
You can keep up with Preston Mitchum’s travels and updates about Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard updates by following him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Watch the season finale of Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday at 9 pm EST or stream the entire season on Peacock!
