HV Entertainment Acquired 49% Stake in Two D.C. Bars
The operator takes over day-to-day management of Adams Morgan venues while retaining local ownership.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Do you trust national hospitality groups to preserve the character of local LGBTQ community bars?
HV Entertainment has acquired a 49% stake in Pitchers and A League of Her Own, two LGBTQ bars located at 2317 18th St. NW in Washington, D.C. As part of the partnership agreement, HV Entertainment has assumed full operational control of the businesses.
Why it matters
The deal allows the bars' original owner to offload management responsibilities while HV Entertainment integrates the venues into its broader national portfolio. This move aims to provide professionalized operational support and programming to ensure the long-term stability of these neighborhood spaces.
HV Entertainment acquired a 49% stake in the two Washington bars, leaving 51% ownership with founder Dave Perruzza. The complex, which opened in 2018, maintains a staff of 33 employees.
The players
HV Entertainment
An operator of LGBTQ hospitality venues with established locations in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas.
Dave Perruzza
The founder and owner of the Adams Morgan bar complex who remains the majority stakeholder in the businesses.
Pitchers
An LGBTQ bar and hospitality venue located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
A League of Her Own
A sports-themed LGBTQ bar located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
The details
Under the new partnership, HV Entertainment takes over daily management duties at the 2317 18th St. NW complex. While owner Dave Perruzza keeps a majority stake in the entities, the agreement grants HV an option to purchase the remaining interest in the future. The firm intends to leverage its experience operating venues in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas to standardize programming and operations.
Timeline
The bar complex at 2317 18th St. NW originally opened in 2018.
The acquisition agreement was officially announced on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This deal follows the established trend of the consolidation of local LGBTQ nightlife venues by national operators, where larger firms provide back-office scale to independent, community-focused establishments. It mirrors the strategic movement to centralize management to ensure survival.
Owners of single-unit hospitality businesses should evaluate whether a minority equity partnership can solve operational burnout without forcing a full exit. Consider the potential trade-offs in local brand identity when shifting control to a third-party management firm.
The takeaway
Strategic partnerships can allow founders to maintain equity while securing the professional management necessary to weather industry volatility. Operators should monitor the evolution of programming at these venues as a signal of how centralized management impacts local brand loyalty.
Further reading
For more news on local business changes, see our Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metro Weekly.
Live Poll
Do you trust national hospitality groups to preserve the character of local LGBTQ community bars?
