Get ready, Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2025!

We are excited to announce our participation in Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend! Centaur Motorcycle Club officially announced that MAL 2025 is scheduled for January 10-13, 2025. Due to the presidential inauguration, the event will be held one week earlier than usual on the weekend before Martin Luther King weekend.

What is Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL)?

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL) is an annual event hosted by the Centaur Motorcycle Club. It is held in January in Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill and is the second-largest leather event in the United States. Thousands of leather enthusiasts gather from all over the world to celebrate all things kink and fetish.

There are four days' worth of activities for attendees to enjoy, including leather cocktails, Sunday Brunch, the leather market, and the main event - the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest. The competition is judged by a panel of esteemed leathermen, including past titleholders.

MAL Contest

The contest is open to all gay Leathermen who meet the following qualifications: you are Male, a resident of North America, at least 21 years of age, and self-identify as gay. Important to note: you do not have to be a current or past titleholder to compete at MAL. The competition takes place across four events on Saturday and Sunday. The Winner of Mr. MAL is crowned on Sunday and will later compete in International Mr. Leather in Chicago on Memorial Day Weekend 2025. The current Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather is Ken Nelms.

Host Hotel Information

The host hotel is the same as the previous years - the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill at 400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001. You can buy tickets in advance for individual days or the full weekend from the MAL box office. Check MAL's website for more information related to MAL weekend.

Most attendees choose to stay at the host hotel for the weekend, but please note that it usually sells out early. If you can't get a room at the Hyatt Regency, don't panic! Many other hotels are within walking distance and the area around the Capitol is very safe at night.

2025 Leather Marketplace Exhibitors

The Leather Exhibitor Hall is located in the basement of the Hyatt Regency on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can purchase lots of fun leather goods at the market, indulge in a few leather cocktails, talk with friends, and enjoy the dance music.

• Friday, January 11: 4 pm - 10 pm
• Saturday, January 12: 11 am - 6 pm
• Sunday, January 13: 11 am - 5 pm

Obscure Belts has attended MAL for over ten years and our unique handmade leather belts have graced the waists of many MAL contestants. Our booth has a little belt workshop set up at the leather market to custom-fit your belt while you wait. If your belt is for competition, be sure to wear your formal leathers when you see us for the best fit.

Our top-selling belts are a must-have for every leatherman's wardrobe:

What is IML?

International Mr. Leather (IML) is a similar event to MAL but with a larger, more international group of attendees and a bigger title to win. If you can't make it to see us MAL, we will always be at IML as well.