2024 Dates: January 11 – 14 – LeatherWeekend.com (official MAL website), KineticPresents.com (official MAL parties), BunkerDC.com (official MAL after parties) & Flashy Sunday (a Sunday night party)
2024 Party Schedule
BOOTCAMP – Thursday, Jan 11 at Bunker – (VIP Passholders Only) DJ Joshua Ruiz
UNCUT XL – Friday, Jan 12 at Republiq – DJs Onyx & GSP
UNHINGED (Afters) – early Sat Jan 13 at Bunker – DJ Anne Louise
KINETIC: KINK – Saturday, Jan 13 at Echostage – DJs Abel & Alex Acosta feat. a performance by RuPaul’s Drag Race Katya
UNHOLY (Afters) – early Sun, Jan 14 at Bunker – DJ Nina Flowers
DISCOVERS – Sunday, Jan 14 at Zebbie’s Garden – DJs Dan Slater & Alexis Tucci
or FLASHY SUNDAYS – Sunday, Jan 14 at Flash – DJs TWIN, Sean Morris & Morabito
Introduction
Washington, DC, a city known for its politics and historical landmarks, transforms into a different kind of playground during the Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL) Weekend. This annual event celebrates the diverse and vibrant leather and kink community, offering a unique blend of festivities, education, and parties.
The Origins
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, commonly known as MAL, is run by the Centaur Motorcycle Club and has a rich history dating back to the early 1970s. What started as a small gathering of leather enthusiasts has evolved into one of the premier leather events on the East Coast. The weekend takes place in mid-January, attracting people from all walks of life who share a passion for leather culture, fetish, and kink.
Host Hotel, Events and Activities
MAL offers a diverse range of events and activities catering to both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the leather scene. The whole weekend is centered around the host hotel, which is the Hyatt Regency near the Capitol building. Rooms for the host hotel book a year in advanced and sell out within minutes, but there are plenty of nearby hotels too. The weekend’s schedule includes leather-themed parties, educational workshops and a variety of contests that showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of participants’ leather attire. The hotel is always a great place to explore (the leather market in the hotel basement or the men cruising around the hotel lobby and rooms).
The official dance events for MAL are put on by the Kinetic Presents party group, which has a great reputation for putting on fantastic Washington DC events. Expect a high energy party with elaborate decorations and attention to detail. The main event venue, Echostage, has been consistently voted one of the best clubs in the world for many years. It is a very large event concert venue with an excellent lighting and audio setup.
Flashy is a long-running Washington DC tradition that occurs typically the night before U.S. federal holidays, but as MAL weekend is traditionally during MLK Jr. weekend, there is always a Flashy Sunday (on Sunday night). Flashy occurs at a club called Flash that has two dance floors with the main floor featuring a state of the art audio and lighting setup. If you like a very intimate, sometimes raunchy and sweaty experience, Flashy is something you’ll enjoy.
Conclusion
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend in Washington, D.C., is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of identity, self-expression and the vibrant tapestry of the leather and kink community. Whether you’re a seasoned leather enthusiast or a curious newcomer, MAL offers a welcoming space to explore, learn, and connect with like-minded individuals. As the leather-clad attendees converge in the nation’s capital, they not only redefine the city’s narrative but also continue to push the boundaries of self-discovery and acceptance.
Hey, I am interested to visit DC for Mal weekend. Is there any entry fees or membership I need to pay for the tickets or is it directly at the door.
You can enter the MAL Host Hotel (Hyatt Regency) for a small fee at the door. I believe it is ~$20/day.