The Gayborhood in Philadelphia is about to welcome an exciting new addition. Little Gay Pub, a beloved gay bar from Washington, D.C., is set to open its doors in the spring at the corner of 13th and Drury Street. Known for its eclectic atmosphere and strong community ties, the pub has become a hotspot in D.C., attracting both locals and celebrities. Now, the founders of Little Gay Pub are ready to bring their unique brand of hospitality to Philadelphia.
PGN sat down with co-founders Dito Sevilla, Dusty Martinez and Benjamin Gander—veteran bartenders from D.C.—to learn more about their journey and what Philly can expect from their new venture.
From barbacks to bar owners
Martinez’s story is one of dedication and evolution within the service industry.
“I’ve been in the industry, basically all my life since I was about 15,” he said.
His career trajectory in D.C. saw him rise from a go-go boy to a barback, eventually becoming the general manager of Trade, one of the city’s prominent gay bars. However, the pandemic prompted Martinez to reconsider his path.
“The pandemic just kind of gave me a kick in the butt to start reaching out and branching out to do something like Little Gay Pub,” Martinez said.
Sevilla’s journey into the bar industry was more serendipitous. After returning to D.C. from college, he found himself working at a regular bar in Dupont Circle.
“From one day to the next, I was editing menus and training staff,” he said.
His passion for service and creating a welcoming environment grew from there, and he spent nearly 20 years at that bar before the pandemic led him to seek something new.
“I fell in love with the idea of making a home for people, putting your own spin on it. It’s very egotistical, frankly, but also very rewarding,” Sevilla said.
The third partner, Gander, brings extensive experience and a reputation for meticulous operations management. Gander was the general manager of Number Nine, a popular D.C. bar, for more than a decade.
“Ben [Gander] is a legend in the industry,” Sevilla noted.
Gander’s attention to detail and commitment to customer service have been integral to the success of Little Gay Pub.
A vision for Philly: Blending history with hospitality
The decision to expand to Philadelphia was not made lightly. The founders all have a deep appreciation for the city’s rich history and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
“Philadelphia is another East Coast city where it also was the capital of the country. It’s where the first gay marches started,” Sevilla explained.
The connection to history is central to Little Gay Pub’s identity, and the founders are eager to infuse Philadelphia’s own LGBTQ+ legacy into the new location.
The space itself, which formerly housed The Commodore, a burger joint, had been sitting empty for years before the team decided it was the perfect spot for their next venture.
“It called to us like a siren,” Martinez said.
The pub will feature a similar vibe to its D.C. counterpart, with a focus on creating a space that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. One unique aspect of Little Gay Pub is its dedication to preserving and showcasing LGBTQ+ history. The pub’s walls and ceilings are adorned with historical tidbits, newspaper articles and artifacts that honor the LGBTQ+ community’s past struggles and victories. The Philly location will continue this tradition by collecting and displaying local history, making it a living museum of sorts.
Welcoming the community with open arms
The founders have been pleasantly surprised by the warm reception they’ve received from the Philly community.
“Everybody told us that Philadelphia was going to tell us to go screw ourselves and get out of their city,” Sevilla laughed. “But the 100% crazy opposite has happened.”
The team is committed to integrating themselves into the local LGBTQ+ scene, not as outsiders, but as contributors to the community. They plan to keep the doors open during construction, inviting neighbors to take part in the process.
Little Gay Pub’s expansion to Philadelphia is not about replicating what they’ve done in D.C., but about creating a space that is uniquely Philly.
“We’re bringing the Little Gay Pub and then making it a Philly bar,” Martinez emphasized.
The new location will feature a two-story layout, with a sky deck and open-air bar that promises to bring a fresh experience to the Gayborhood.
And, of course, no mention of Little Gay Pub would be complete without a nod to its famously over-the-top bathrooms. In D.C., the bathrooms are known for their playful, flamboyant design, complete with elegant decor and cheeky wallpaper.
“The bathrooms have become a bit of a legend,” Dito says with a laugh. “We’re definitely bringing that same energy to Philly.”
Standing firm in their beliefs
In addition to their commitment to history and community, the founders are unafraid to take political stances, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. The pub has become known for its outspoken support of progressive causes, including a recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It really boils down to one word, and that word is authenticity,” Sevilla said. “We would be hypocrites and liars if we were three people that had different political views that were anti-LGBT and came into a city and put up some flags and said, ‘Hey gays, give us your money.’”
For the team behind Little Gay Pub, the bar is more than just a business—it’s a space where the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe, supported and celebrated. As they prepare to open their doors in Philadelphia, they are excited to bring their vision of a welcoming, history-rich environment to a new city.
“We just want to add to the community,” Martinez said.
And with the warm welcome they’ve received so far, it seems the community is ready to embrace them right back.
