Where to celebrate the release of ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ (2024)

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Taylor Swift Trivia at As You Are

Think you’re a real Swiftie — the kind who scours the liner notes, knows every Easter egg, finds hidden meanings in Instagram posts and has gone down too many Tumblr rabbit holes? Can you recite the Eras Tour’s secret songs? Show how much you really know at As You Are’s Taylor Swift Trivia, which promises to be highly competitive but also a lot of fun. BYO friendship bracelets. 7 to 9 p.m. Free.

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Tortured Poets Release Party at As You Are

The album drops at midnight, which leaves plenty of time for the buildup. As You Are keeps the party going for another night, with Taylor Swift karaoke starting at 7 p.m., followed by a dance party until midnight, when playback of the album begins. Doors open at 5 p.m. Free.

Barrel’s TTPD Listening Party

Barrel’s previous Taylor Swift album release events have sold out, so reservations are suggested for the listening party on Capitol Hill. Tickets include a welcome shot, plus raffle tickets for anyone wearing friendship bracelets, and themed co*cktails are $13 all night. Doors open at 8 p.m. $13.

Tortured Poets Department Album Release Party at Royal Sands Social Club

A fundraiser for the American Heart Association, the Miss America Scholarship Foundation and the Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization, the party at the Royal Sands includes a screening of the “Eras Tour” film, friendship-bracelet-making stations, Swift-themed co*cktail specials and a photo scavenger hunt, leading up to the midnight listening party. Look for $9 drinks and discounted food, including sushi and ahi tuna tacos. Admission includes a door prize ticket for prizes including merchandise or gift cards from D.C. businesses, and unlimited friendship bracelets. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $35-$40.

Swiftie Sundays at Show of Hands

Show of Hands bartender Joe Doten shows his Swiftie bona fides every week at Swiftie Sundays, a happy hour with a menu of drinks inspired by songs from different Eras. Wishing the Flowers Were From You, which takes its name from “Superman,” is a sweet and aromatic mix of Old Tom gin, violet liqueur, bitter orange and lemon, while Kisses on Cheeks draws on “How You Get the Girl” for its fruity combo of tequila, pineapple, lime and grenadine. If you haven’t made it to the Roost on a weekend, this is your chance to experience the event: The Swiftie Sundays menu will be available all day Thursday and Friday in celebration of “Tortured Poets Department.” Doten has hosted listening parties for previous “Taylor’s Version” releases, but not this time: “It’s a new album,” he says. “At midnight, I want to be on my couch with a glass of wine.” Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m. co*cktails $14.

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Taylor Swift Rave at Public Bar Live

This aptly named event at the multilevel Public Bar is more dance party than listening party, and every available inch around the dance floor fills up when the DJ starts. Expect all the hits, themed drinks and photo stations. Organized by Drinks in the District, the rave features Hot 99.5, which is raffling tickets for the Eras Tour show in New Orleans. 10 p.m. $24.99.

Tortured Partiers Department at DC9

“22 & Good 4 U” — a multi-city series of dance parties with a “Taylor Swift vs. Olivia Rodrigo” theme — is behind this Swift-focused 18-and-over dance night at DC9, a concert venue that, as far as we can tell, is one of the few in D.C. that hasn’t previously hosted a Swiftie event. 8 to 11 p.m. $15-$20.

Taylor Swift Album Drop Party at Bark Social

Taylor Swift Bingo at the Coupe

Cap City Trivia organizes the pub quiz at the Coupe on Thursdays, but the group, with co-host NuNu Paris, is making a special Friday appearance at the Columbia Heights bar for Swiftie Bingo. Take a bingo card filled with song titles from all Eras, and stamp a square when that song plays over the sound system (while singing along, of course). 6 to 8 p.m. Free; reservations suggested.

Taylor Swift Dance Party at Wunder Garten

Wunder Garten regularly hosts events for Swifties — there was a “Forever Winter Taylor Swift Party” at the NoMa beer garden during its après-ski pop-up in February — so you should know exactly what to expect: singalongs and “Taylor-themed co*cktails.” 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free.

Taylor Swift Listening Party at Franklin Hall

The Shaw beer hall features Taylor Swift tunes and a menu of themed drinks. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.

Taylor Swift co*cktails at Last Call

Union Market’s no-frills neighborhood bar isn’t hosting a listening party, but is celebrating the new album with a menu of $8 co*cktails, such as the Alchemy — a green-tea gin gimlet — inspired by tracks on “The Tortured Poets Department.” Friday through Sunday. $8 per co*cktail.

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‘Tortured Poets Department’ Album Release Event at the Takoma Park Maryland Library

The release of “Tortured Poets Department” occurs during National Poetry Month, which has not escaped the notice of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. This party, designed for ages 7 and older, includes poetry writing sessions and trivia, with prizes and refreshments. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.

Taylor Swift Karaoke at Quincy Hall

Ballston’s Quincy Hall marked the release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” with a Halloween karaoke contest — a gambit so popular that the venue is resurrecting it for an album of new material. Get there early to sign up for classic hits or new material, sip on themed co*cktails, and sing along with whoever’s on the mic. Specials include $3 pizza slices and $3 jello shots from 9 p.m. until close. 9:30 p.m. Free.

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Taylor Swift Party at the Pug

The Pug seems an unlikely place for a Taylor Swift party — the soundtrack at the divey H Street bar is primarily punk and go-go — and yet it’s been hosting release parties for Swifties since “Midnights” dropped in October 2022, thanks to owner Tony Tomelden and his intrepid regulars. These very crowded, very fun events turn the crowd into a communal choir, singing at the top of their lungs. Don’t expect fancy themed co*cktails, though. It’s a beer-and-a-shot place at heart, no matter what’s playing on the turntable. 8 p.m. Free.

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Taylor Swift Trivia at Honor Brewing

Honor’s Sterling taproom and production facility hosts a monthly themed trivia night, and this month is all about Taylor Swift. Prizes are awarded for the top three teams. Arrive early for happy hour, which includes $10 flights, $5 wines and $1 off pints. 7 p.m. Free.