Sinners and Saints Bar Targeted in Suspected Hate Crime

Hate crime rocks beloved queer bar in Adams Morgan, D.C.

On Thursday, a distressing event rattled Sinners and Saints, a cherished queer bar located in Adams Morgan, Washington D.C. The establishment, at 2309 18th St. N.W., was vandalized with homophobic slurs—an attack believed by many in their community as an anti-LGBTQ hate crime. The local community and bar staff quickly took action, sharing images on social media and raising awareness about this troubling incident.

Shock and strength: Blair Nixon shares their story

Blair Nixon, co-partner and general manager, shared their deep shock and concern in a candid interview. The damage was significant—a smashed glass door, vile graffiti, and looted liquor shelves. "It seems targeted mainly because they left hateful messages on our wall," Blair noted.

Nixon, who has been with Sinners and Saints since it opened last August, recounted his emotional response upon finding out. "It was terrifying," he confessed. "Imagining someone in our sanctuary, violating it—it shook me deeply." The break-in came light after La Grotta, located above Sinners and Saints, experienced a sudden power outage affecting their building.

Community rallies around and police step in

The intruders had cut off electricity, impacting apartments and restaurants in their wake. Restaurant owners then alerted Nixon about what had happened. The Sinners and Saints crew contacted both local police and shared updates on social media. Nixon was grateful, noting, "The Mayor's Office got in touch really quickly, and then police were on scene soon after. It was reassuring."

Investigation ongoing amid community's determination

Police have categorized this as a second-degree burglary biased against sexual minorities. Sadly, there weren't any security cameras active during this time frame, guessed between 2 and 6 p.m. But neighboring businesses, including a nearby hostel, have provided their footage, aiding law enforcement efforts.

While Nixon avoided jumping too much on possible motives, he stressed how vital Sinners and Saints remains as a sanctuary in D.C. "Being D.C.'s sole QTBIPOC bar, we're here, and we're not going anywhere," he affirmed. "Our doors are open, and we're vital as a sanctuary especially when times are tough."

Pushes grow louder: safety measures needed

With recent concerns in Adams Morgan highlighted by other local entrepreneurs, Nixon expressed a need—perhaps a call—for increased police visibility. Since opening, Sinners and Saints has had unwavering support from its community, support that only surged after this attack. "The outpouring's been amazing; we feel it," Nixon said, touching on how other LGBTQ bar owners have shown up in force.

Sinners and Saints: Unyielding spirit

Determined not be swayed, Sinners and Saints pushed forward with their "Sapphic Sailor Moon" party on Thursday. "I was there, bartending," Nixon shared, "even though I wasn't scheduled. But we all needed each other, and so we showed up." Their leadership team wanted everyone who walked through their doors that day and night see that their spirit remains unbroken.

The attack weighs heavy—aimed at a space dedicated deeply loving support towards marginalized LGBTQ individuals, including trans people and people who are often further marginalized. "Keeping this place protected and keeping open doors—that's what truly matters," Nixon expressed. "It means safeguarding what's sacred here."

To help with repair costs, Sinners and Saints started a GoFundMe campaign. Anyone with useful information about this incident can reach out directly, calling Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099.