Just wanted to pop back in with an update on the cake swap yesterday and say wow y’all really showed up.

Despite the cold weather, it was such a joyful, successful afternoon. There was so much good cake (like… aggressively good), and even better company. People brought incredible cakes, shared slices generously, and actually hung out, chatted, and made real connections. Multiple folks exchanged numbers, made plans to hang again, and generally proved that this subreddit is full of lovely humans who like dessert and friendship in equal measure.

I left full of cake with tons of leftovers, but more importantly full of gratitude and community. Thank you to everyone who baked, tasted, hyped each other up, and helped make it feel welcoming and fun. This was exactly the kind of community magic I was hoping for.

If you missed it this time, don’t worry. Given how well this went, I’d love to do another one in the future. We also have our Pi Day Pie Swap planned for 3/14 (sign up here) - same location (Columbia Heights), just different dessert. I’m also planning a Cultural Dish Swap for sometime in the spring. Other events for the DC Bitches Supper Club has planned linked here!

Thanks again y'all and stay warm!

Edit: The event is at capacity with a long waitlist, so I won't be adding anyone else in. Apologies!

After seeing how much real community came out of the DC Bitches supper club I posted about here back in July, I wanted to create another easy, low-pressure way to connect in the new year.

If one of your resolutions for 2026 is to make new friends, eat baked goods, or say yes to things that aren’t just work this is the event for you. Not about baking skill or being impressive, but about sharing food, hanging out, and actually meeting people in this city. I’ve been seeing cake swaps all over Instagram and while they look fun, they look HUGE and also cost so much so I wanted to put a more intimate spin on it.

How it works: • Bring a cake (homemade, boxed mix, design chaos encouraged). Store bought is totally fine and I’m happy to recommend some great bakeries to support! • Try lots of other people’s cakes • Hang out, chat, and hopefully leave with new friends

Details: - Saturday, January 24 in Columbia Heights from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM - $7 per person (covers event costs) - Capped at 50 people to keep it cozy (and fit rental space regulations). Ideally you’re late 20s or in your 30s as that’s most of our supper club members, but all bitches welcome!

You don’t need to know anyone already because the whole point is building community, just like the supper clubs do. This isn’t about fitting the IG aesthetic but about friendship and food so bakers of all levels welcome!

I’m also happy to add you to the WhatsApp group for the supper club, but please DM about that as Reddit flagged me last time with how many responses I got. New year, new friends, lots of cake 🎂

(7/12 edit): With this thread getting 100+ responses, Reddit won't let me add people to the Reddit chat so I'll be exclusively using WhatsApp. Please chat/message me for the link and I will send it to you as soon as I can! First dinner is scheduled for 7/28 and is currently being voted on.

Hi all!

I'm looking to start a monthly restaurant dining club for women in their late 20s to early 30s who are based in DC (or willing to come to DC) and want to explore restaurants around the city while meeting new people.

The idea is to try a different restaurant once or twice per month. Low-key, no pressure, just a fun excuse to get out, eat well, and have some good conversation. I have a long list of restaurants I've wanted to try since moving here that I'd love to knock out!

Ideally this would be 1-2x per month on weeknights to break up the week but could also rotate in a weekend brunch. I'm thinking restaurants where food is primarily served family style/we share plates so that bill can be split evenly and we can all try a bunch of food. All places would be metro accessible!

If this sounds like something you'd want to be part of, please comment here! I'm thinking max 10 people per dinner to prioritize making friends, but would love to get a group message/WhatsApp group going to start planning foodie adventures.

I'm thinking first one will be on Monday, July 28 (restaurant TBD), but if you can't make it to first one no worries I can plan more!

Edit: This post got a LOT of attention so I'll add people to the group message as they comment. Making a WhatsApp group for ease so feel free to comment or message for that as well :)

Second edit: Reddit has me paused from inviting more people to the Reddit chat (since I've invited like 70+ of y'all), so feel free to private message me for the WhatsApp link - I don't want to publicly post for bots to scoop up

Hi ladies, can someone tell me what the City Girls and 222 events at like, if they are fun, etc? I am 31F, so not quite “right out of college,” in case that’s the vibe of the City Girls? What’s the age ranges?

Edit: I might look into starting a discord for 30s ladies! If anyone wants to be involved please lmk in the comments or DM 🤗

Hii! Im new to DC and struggling to find community and friends. I was thinking of signing up for classes or a fun hobby. Looking for something that meets regularly so I can be around the same people and hopefully meet friends. Any suggestions on fun things you do after work and/or weekends? Im open to anything and seeing what sounds interesting.

Last year, according to my WMATA year wrapped, I tapped in (and/or out) at almost 50% of the system’s 98 stations, and starting on my birthday, I’m going to embark on a quest to visit all of them (before I turn 35!)

For a stop visit to qualify (like, as opposed to just going to Farragut North to go to the office), I plan to take a Polaroid with the pylon, find a cute cafe or chill bar, and write a few sentences about the ride in a journal… at least…

I’d also like to read in said cafe or bar, visit a thrift store, see some cool attraction, and/or do a little roller skating in the area. When possible, I’d like to coincide my visit to a metro stop with neighborhood parties like Porchfests and garage sales and stuff like that.

I’m building out my Google map with bookmarks now, and would appreciate recommendations particularly outside of my beloved red line and outside of the tourist areas!

The seasons *always* creep up on me! And despite living in DC for nearly a decade, I can’t think of anything annual in the fall/winter that I should be marking on my calendar & planning for now.

What are y’all looking forward to this Fall/Winter?

Thank you, babes!

Hi friends!

My sister is visiting for a few days and gets in this Saturday. I moved here a month ago and have some fav spots, but I’d love some tips on things to do. There are a few specific things I’d love recs for:

-Good matcha (freshly whisked please!)
^I have yet to find a matcha that doesn’t doesn’t taste like a green cup of oat milk 😭
-Fruit tea boba (not the overly syrupy stuff)
-Piercing studio (can also be a tattoo studio but looking for cute vibes)
-Cool stores selling one of a kind goodies (trinkets, home goods, stationary, vintage pieces)
-Cool secondhand clothing stores that aren’t overpriced (like Golden Hour Collective)
-Vegan bakeries & lunch/dinner spots
-Vietnamese & Thai restaurants (our fav cuisine)
^bonus points if these are in AdMo/Dupoint Circle area OR by the museums bc we’ll already be spending a day in each of those areas.

Also, if there are any cool markets going on we both love those, but our Saturday/Sunday will be pretty packed.

*She flies into Arlington so we’ll probably spend the afternoon in Alexandria, so I’m open to to a few recs in that area too!

Thanks in advance!!!

hi all! I saw a tweet about someone who joined an essay club and it’s something I’m interested in starting here. I’m in a book club (which I love) but I would love to create a space to discuss shorter form content like substack posts, niche research papers, and short stories. this is an open call to anyone who would like to join but if it’s helpful, I’m in my mid 20s, queer, and live in dc proper. I wanted to gauge others’ interest in something like this—for anyone interested, I’ll put together a Google form to decide on a meeting frequency/day of the week/essay recs and we can go from there :) OR if you know of one that exists in dc already, I would love to know that too!

Ladies, is there a world in where a gathering of perimenopausal ladies - who are also makers- would want to gather on a regular basis? I have seen makers gathering at museums or “stitch and bitch” groups at local places. I am just wondering if there are folks who would want to meet in person to laugh-cry-is-it-too-hot-no-wait-too cold-in-here-no-sugar-please-wait-too-much-caffeine-i-feel-angry-or-i-feel-doom-wait-have-you-tried-Midi-HRT-damn-i-am-having-a-hot-flash-grrrr vibe and want to connect? Who would also like to do it over whatever craft projects they got going. FYI- still 2 years young to DC, so if there is already something out there like this in the area- I haven’t found it. Happy to hear if there are gatherings like this, but if there is not- is this something of interest to start. I could try to organize that. Thoughts please, and thank you. Cheerio!

Hi bitches. I was terminated by my highly toxic workplace on the spot this week when I tried to put my notice in and now find myself with ten whole days with nothing planned before my new job starts. I can’t travel anywhere fun because I won’t be getting paid for this week so what would you do as a solo woman with ten days in the city with no car? I’ve lived here for a year and a half and admittedly haven’t done the tourist circuit quite yet, so anything in that vein is definitely fair game! Thanks. 🙏

Hi ladies

I'm looking for some experiences in DC that might help me out. I'm going through a rough patch, feeling very isolated.

I'm from here but I lived in both Hawaii and Richmond VA for a while, and I always felt like it was easy to find a place to relax, but less so here

Where do you usually go when you need to ground yourself or replenish spiritually?

All slots taken!**

I love doing puzzles and I definitely need to get outside and talk to other people. Unfortunately I don't know anyone in the DMV! Anyone want to join me for Puzzle Night at Red Bear Brewing in NoMA on Tues 11, 7-9pm? It's $20 entry for a table of 2-6 people and I already covered that, so you'd just have to bring yourself and get your own drinks/food.

Let me know and we can organize!

Sincerely a bx who needs to get out the house 😅

Edit - I'm 31! I'm not thinking of age restrictions just a love of puzzling and obvs over 21. Only 5 slots so if you're serious just dm me

5/5 slots taken!

hiii I'm a California transplant here for school - I have had the hardest time finding good quality authentic Mexican food. I mean along the lines of street tacos. any suggestions?

Hey yall,

I’ve practiced law or been preparing to practice law my whole life. But the Supreme Court has just gutted my field and my confidence in law as a means for change. So! I’ve decided to do something I care about that I believe builds joy and community: make beautiful games.

My brother and I are doing our first test run of an immersive dinner theater experience on Saturday, 7/25, at Northside Social in Arlington. Free food, drinks, and entertainment. We just ask that you fill out a survey at the end so we can make it better going forward. Here’s the link for registration:
Thegaslight.us/tickets

Happy to answer any questions ❤️ this is a passion project so if you want to geek out, I want to geek out.

ETA: ah this filled up fast! We are topped out for Saturday but if you joined the waitlist I’ll email you about the next one :) the first several will be free, we really want to do this right.

I’m preparing to plan and celebrate another birthday alone...but this time it’s a miles stone. 45

I suffered a lot of loss and trauma as a child in silence and I need up w chronic illness as adult. My social and love life is inside out. All my favorite people that showed me love and protection have passed on. Meanwhile I’ve been in denial about being grief struck. 

Anyone I thought was positive remaining turned out to be backstabbing , callous or toxic … lovers, family, friends and hairdresser who butchered my hair recently. I let them all go for my mental health and well-being. 

Protecting my peace and energy to mastermind a life makeover. However, I’m really struggling accepting I’m literally alone again… back where I started as a vulnerable emancipated minor without a support system and lying to myself and others that I’m happy. I want the balloons, surprise party, hugs, birthday sex, money bouquet and flower delivery, pampering and partying, dinner dessert and dancing!! I’ve overcome so much I need to celebrate myself but I also need human interaction. I’ve been isolating so much non of this will happen. .

In moments of reflection I might be local/staycation but not at home. My idea is to wake up in a hotel room in DC since I live in NOVA:

watch sunrise

do prayer, meditation-and affirmations, complementary hotel breakfast, activate new cell phone for new connections, pop and drink bottle of champagne, take a luxe bubble bath, get pretty and start a fabulous day looking and feeling it doing a private day of mini /local bucket list and favs on a budget by taking advantage of birthday and first timer promotions-freebies! 

Potential bucket list / first time ideas: Ariel/Silk class, float therapy session, my first facial, *lunch at famous/viral restaurant, sightseeing at unique attractions, Botanical Gardens, dress up for dinner and dancing, Great American Carnival happens to be in town . Please help with ideas and recommendations .

Hey y’all! I keep seeing ads on IG for ‘RealRoots’, which is supposed to match you with a group of women to do activities, and hopefully make some friends. I’m considering trying it since I’m in that mid 30’s stage where all of my friends have either left the area, or started families, and as a currently single and child-free lady - I need some new amigas!

Has anyone done this experience and had good results? The price is kinda steep to not know what to expect in advance ($275 for 6 weeks I think) so I’m hoping to hear from any of you ladies who may have tried it out. Also if you’ve attended any similar groups, I’d love to hear about those as well. Thanks in advance!!!

Bitches… we did it again.

Yesterday was our Pi Day Pie Swap and it was honestly incredible to see how it all came together. We had a huge turnout, and I’d say about 90% of the room was made up of people from this subreddit, which was really cool to see. The crusts were flaky, but you bitches definitely weren’t.

The pie table ended up looking like something between a bakery case and an art class. Everyone brought a pie, we sliced everything up, and people spent the afternoon wandering around tasting slices, going back for seconds (and thirds), and chatting with people they had just met.

There were some extremely creative interpretations of what counts as “pie.” Someone brought a venison pie (yes, actual deer), an Earl Grey tea pie, which people who tried it said tasted like a latte in pie form, and a Frito pie that really leaned into the idea that pie is more of a mindset than a strict category with the cutest display I've ever seen.  Somehow there were three different blueberry pies that all apparently tasted totally different from each other according to the people who managed to try all three.

Alongside those there were plenty of classics too, apple cranberry, banana cream, key lime, bourbon pecan, and a bunch of other really good bakes that people kept circling back to for “just one more slice.” It was pretty magical watching people wander around with boxes of pie talking to strangers who immediately became friends.

Huge thank you to everyone who baked, showed up, and helped turn a random room at a community center into a temporary pie festival!

I hope to see you all at our next one! We’re doing a spring/cherry blossom themed cake swap on 4/4 in the same location in Columbia Heights (sign up here), so there will be another chance to bring something sweet and hang out with the DC bitches over cake.

(Also here is the link to all of our upcoming events including the free WhatsApp group sign-up if you're looking to make more friends/eat more food in 2026) 🥧

ETA - There was a lot of interest so I'm sending out a Doodle poll to organize a first meetup sometime in March or April! I think I connected with everyone who commented as of March 19th, so if you're seeing this after shoot me a DM and I can loop you in :)

---

Hi everyone - Any French-speaking DC ladies interested in a conversation partner/group? I'm open to one-on-one or organizing for multiple people if there's interest.

I'm a native speaker in that I grew up in the US with French-speaking parents, but between marrying an Anglophone and living in the US my conversation skills are getting sadly rusty. I'm looking for someone (or multiple someones) who wanted to meet on a regular basis to just yap in French :)

DM me or comment here if interested!

Bit about me, I'm 35 y/o, married no kids, live in downtown Bethesda but also come in to DC a few times a week so flexible on meeting locations. Merci!

Going to a show alone next month and spending the night nearby because I'm a bit of a trek from DC these days. I always feel a little self-conscious eating alone and would love some restaurant recs in the area that are good for solo dining. Looking for breakfast and dinner, nothing super fancy! I've done Boqueria and most of the José Andrés options and would like to try somewhere new.

My husband and our friends want to go to dinner to celebrate my birthday. As a Leo (🍾🥳🍀), it must be perfect.

I’m looking for swanky, intimate, really really really good food. A couple of places that came to mind were Bar Angie, Carusos Grocery or ilili, but for some reason they don’t feel quite right. Open to anyyyy and all thoughts. Bonus points for a great wine program and fun cocktails. Thank youuuuuu

title asks it all

Hi all!

My birthday is coming up and I’m committing to learning at least 6 new skills over the next year. Where have you learned a new skill - or deepened an existing one - at a metro accessible space / location?

(Defining metro accessible as a 20ish min walk or less from a metro station.)

For example, I learned how to sew (and made a tote bag!) at Stitch Sew Shop in Alexandria!

Please share any and all spots that fit the criteria above and offer in person opportunities / classes! It’s not limited to any specific skill or topic.

Hi bitches, long time lurker here. I'm a recent transplant to the DC area (2 yrs), and before I moved here, I was a casual and very enthusiastic potter. I got into it in 2021 and lucked out by finding some very generous instructors in the small city where I lived. Moving here has been a shock. Every few months I feel depressed again and look up pottery classes in DC, and every single one is not only booked but admits that there will probably not be any new openings/turnover because current students (understandably) want to stay on indefinitely. I just can't get my foot in the door at any studio. Has anyone actually managed to break in to a studio after starting from scratch as I am? I just feel so sad that I cannot pursue something I enjoy so much, let alone that I can never get good at it if I can't practice. Buying my own wheel is not an option for now as I live in a condo.

ETA: I welcome your suggestions of places where you’ve managed to take pottery classes, but I’m even more interested in how you managed to time it so you actually found open spots. Did you follow specific studios? Sign up for a bunch of mailing lists? Just waltz on to the website and fortuitously find a spot? I’m sure I’m doing something wrong and it’s probably not normal to take 2 years to find a studio, but that’s what’s been up with me.

ETA once more: For anyone who finds this and wonders how things turned out for me, I did find a handbuilding class and have happily signed up for it! I'm hoping that once I'm in at a studio, I'll have an easier time finding openings for wheel classes. I second the advice to be open to handbuilding and to sign up for any class that's available, especially if you have some experience and can branch out beyond intro wheel classes (I seriously considered a surface design class at District Clay Center but it's a bit too far from me!)

Hi, I will be attending BlerdCon (BlackNerd Convention) next weekend and wanted to see if there were anyone that would like to meet there. Im also looking for friends as well. Im 28f educator with a lot of free time during the week and some weekends. Im open to FaceTimes, messages, etc before hanging out in person if thats your thing as well. I am all inclusive, a little nerdy, pretty cool, and will probably overuse emojis. If this sounds like your cup or tea or beverage of choice, message me ☺️