LGBTQ Bar Rush Faces Challenges After Liquor License Suspension

The new LGBTQ bar and nightclub Rush, located in Washington D.C., is navigating a series of challenges following the suspension of its liquor license by the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board on December 17. The suspension resulted from a failure to pay the necessary annual licensing fee.

Rush, which celebrated its grand opening on December 5, occupies the second and third floors of a building on 2001 14 Street, N.W., with its entrance around the corner on U Street next to the well-known LGBTQ dance club Bunker. Boasting “art-pop aesthetics” and “high-energy nights,” Rush has quickly become a vibrant space for celebrating queer culture, complete with a spacious dance floor and a relaxing lounge area.

Jackson Mosley, the principal owner of Rush, has yet to comment publicly on the situation, despite attempts to reach him for a statement. The order issued by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) indicates that the payment check submitted by Rush for its license renewal was returned unpaid, and no alternative payment was provided.

The three-page order details that the license fee for the period of 2025 to 2026 was not covered, leading to the suspension of Rush’s Retailer’s Class CT license. To rectify the situation, Rush must now pay $3,819 for a one-year license fee, along with additional fines including a $100 bounced check fee, a $750 late fee, and a $230 transfer fee, totaling $4,919.

Under D.C. legislation, establishments like Rush can continue operating without a liquor license as long as they refrain from selling alcohol. However, John Marsh, a D.C. drag performer known as Cake Pop and a Rush employee, reported that the venue remained closed on December 17, the day the liquor board's order was issued. Initially, Rush was open from Wednesday through Sunday, closing on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Marsh further disclosed that Rush’s employees did not receive their first monthly salary payment scheduled for December 15. In response, approximately 20 employees have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support themselves financially during the holidays, fearing they may not receive their owed wages.

Amid these operational difficulties, Mosley is also confronting a less severe issue concerning Rush's policy of refusing cash payments and accepting only credit cards. A new D.C. law, effective January 1, 2025, mandates that retail businesses, including restaurants and bars, must accept cash payments. The penalty for violating this regulation is currently unclear.

In an online statement posted on Rush’s website, Mosley addressed the reports surrounding his establishment. He explained that the payroll issues stemmed from a "tax-related mismatch between federal and District records," which led to a delay in processing salaries. While some performers have since been compensated, the situation remains unresolved for others.

According to Mosley, after the tax issue was rectified, the bank involved halted electronic funds overnight, attributing the action to the managers of an external investment syndicate responsible for Rush’s financial stabilization in its initial business months.

Mosley assured patrons and employees that he has not left the D.C. area and dismissed rumors suggesting otherwise. He contradicted the ABCA’s claim of a bounced check being the reason for the license suspension and reaffirmed his commitment to reopening Rush, although no specific date was provided for resuming operations.

As the situation develops, Rush's management is working to address these challenges while ensuring compliance with local regulations and restoring its full service offerings to patrons looking to enjoy the unique atmosphere Rush aims to provide.