Freddie's Beach Bar founder plans to wed longtime partner at WorldPride Parade

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Freddie’s Beach Bar founder plans to wed longtime partner at WorldPride Parade

By Katie Taranto
Published June 4, 2025 at 1:45PM


Johnny Cervantes (left) and Freddie Lutz at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City (courtesy of Freddie Lutz)
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The founder of a beloved LGBTQ+ bar in Crystal City is getting married to his longtime partner on a float at D.C.’s WorldPride Parade this Saturday.

Freddie’s Beach Bar owner Freddie Lutz and his partner of 28 years, Johnny Cervantes, plan to tie the knot in bride-and-groom-inspired tuxedos atop a special Freddie’s display featuring a chapel.

They only started planning a couple weeks ago, taking advantage of a unique opportunity with the Equality Chamber of Commerce. Nevertheless, Lutz and Cervantes are as excited as can be to honor their long love story surrounded by friends and, they say, in defiance of federal rollbacks in support for LGBTQ+ communities.

“Gay marriage is alive and well in the United States, and we can’t take it for granted,” Cervantes said. “I think our celebration will certainly serve as a reminder it is available.”

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[Lovie777]

1. K & R....................

[Skittles]

2. awwwwww

[IronLionZion]

3. Excellent, that bar is here in Arlington

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4. He skipped DC's first pride out of fear. Now Freddie's Beach Bar owner will marry on WorldPride parade float

He skipped DC’s first pride out of fear. Now Freddie’s Beach Bar owner will marry on WorldPride parade float

Jimmy Alexander | [e-mail]
June 5, 2025, 7:58 PM


Freddie Lutz is owner of Freddie's Beach Bar and is getting married on a float in the WorldPride Parade in D.C.(Courtesy Freddie Lutz)

On Saturday, Freddie Lutz, the owner of Arlington’s Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant will tie the knot with Johnny Cervantes, his partner of 28 years, on top of a wedding chapel float during the WorldPride Parade in D.C.

It was 50 years ago when Lutz skipped D.C.’s first Pride out of fear of losing his job. … “I was maître d’ downtown at a fancy schmancy restaurant called Ponte Vecchio. We had a lot of high-profile Republican customers at the restaurant, and I was afraid my picture would be in the paper,” Lutz said. “Now I’m getting married to my partner on a wedding chapel float. So we’ve come a long way.”

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Jimmy Alexander
Jimmy Alexander has been a part of the D.C. media scene as a reporter for DC News Now and a long-standing voice on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Now, Alexander brings those years spent interviewing newsmakers like President Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney and Sean Connery, to the WTOP Newsroom.
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