From KBC (11th and Park Rd, NW):

Kangaroo Boxing Club has got some new things in the works. First off, we’re super excited to be celebrating our 1 year anniversary with a fun shindig at the restaurant on Sunday, June 30th. It’s gonna be a lot of fun with a delicious helping of local suckling pig for all those carnivorous eaters out there.

Also, we have a new happy hour (and a half) with killer new deals on draft beer, wine, whiskey and appetizers. And lastly, due to popular demand our kitchen is now open until 11PM every night (with our usual late night menu until 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

And from ACRE 121 (14th and Irving St, NW):

SPECIALS:
● $2 drafts, bottles & cans OPEN to CLOSE Wednesday thru Friday
● Half-priced Wine Wednesday with bottles all night & glasses 5-8
● $5 Sangria 5-8 on the patio on Thursday
● Free hush puppies and peel-and-eat shrimp on Friday

KBC happy hour menu after the jump.

I was surprised to see The Gryphon had already closed for renovations after only opening up in March. Their Facebook page says they are building a new patio entrance.

1337 Connecticut Ave, NW

We noted Da Luft’s new paint job a few weeks ago. I spoke with a worker at the space who said the three floor restaurant and lounge should be opening by the end of the month.

For those able to ditch work early on Fridays:

Azur, 405 8th Street, NW

Beginning June 14, Azur will be offering its popular Oyster happy hour early on Fridays. From 3-7pm, the Penn Quarter seafood restaurant will be serving up $1 oysters and select $5 draft beers and $6 cocktails.

Del Campo, 777 I Street, NW

On June 14, Victor Albisu’s Penn Quarter South American grill is launching Street Food Fridays, during which Chef Albisu will offer one or more traditional South American street food favorites for carry-out only from the patio, beginning at 11:30am. First up is the Chori-Pan, a sandwich of chorizo, pulled pork, rapini and sweet pickle chimichurri on a baguette for $8.

The restaurant will also be offering its $7 happy hour specials in the bar and on its patio from 11:30am-7pm on Fridays.

Graffiato, 707 6th Street, NW

Beginning June 14 and running through August 30, Graffiato will be offering a Friday happy hour from 2pm-6pm that includes $5 market punch, $5 house red and white wines, $5 draft Montelvini Prosecco and $5 draft beer (DC Brau, Lagunitas IPA, Peroni).

Thanks to a reader for sending a link to this post from The Passenger’s Facebook page:

Dear Friends and Patrons,
We are very proud to be a part of this community. Shaw is one of the most culturally diverse areas in all of DC. Our community has standards that include the prohibition of discrimination based on sex, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Community standards do not end at our door because we serve alcohol. We believe in these standards and ask that those that frequent our bar help us to maintain them. If you find yourself unable to abide by this etiquette, fuck off. Tom Brown

Back in late January we learned a new bar, Kabin, would be coming to the second floor of 1337 Connecticut Avenue, NW above the now open Gryphon. Looks like they’re close to opening. Earlier in the week we saw a new sports bar, National Tap House, would be opening next door in the current Imperial Valet cleaners space.

From a press release:

Jack Rose Dining Saloon Celebrates National Bourbon Day on June 14 with Rare Bourbon Flights in Private Basement Bar

Home to the largest whisky collection in the Western Hemisphere, Jack Rose offers uber-rare flights of Kentucky bourbon for National Bourbon Day

There’s no better place to celebrate a day devoted to bourbon than the place

with the largest whisky collection in the Western hemisphere. One of the country’s most esteemed bourbon destinations, Jack Rose Dining Saloon is celebrating National Bourbon Day on Friday, June 14 by offering can’t-get-anywhere-else flights of bourbon in its private basement bar.

June 14, 1789 is said to be the day that Rev. Elijah Craig first distilled whiskey from corn in Kentucky, storing his wares in barrels that had been charred in a fire. Hence, June 14 is now celebrated as National Bourbon Day. Elijah Craig’s name lives on in the form of a premium bourbon brand produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY.

In honor of Craig’s significant contributions to bourbon history, Jack Rose has created two flights of Heaven Hill-distilled bourbons – one featuring the award-winning Elijah Craig and one featuring Evan Williams single barrel vintages from the 90s. These bourbons are extremely rare, with no other place in the region able to offer all four in a flight.

Jack Rose will offer two different flights, one for each type of bourbon lover: an approachable flight of Evan Williams at $19; and a $ 55 flight for the serious bourbon connoisseur featuring small-batch, cask strength and single barrel bottlings from Elijah Craig. Each flight features 1 oz. pours of four bourbons.

Here are full details on Jack Rose’s National Bourbon Day flights:

$19 Evan Williams Flight:

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1993 | 9 YR, 86.6°
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1995 | 9 YR, 86.6°
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1996 | 9 YR, 86.6°
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1997 | 9 YR, 86.6°

$55 Elijah Craig Flight:

Elijah Craig | small batch, 12 YR, 94°
Elijah Craig | cask strength, 12 YR, 134.2°
Elijah Craig | single barrel, D.1990, 20 YR, 95°
Elijah Craig | single barrel, 21 YR, 90°

Jack Rose will offer these bourbon flights in its private basement bar from 5 p.m. to close and no reservations are required.

Originally opened in Aug. 2010 Ras Restaurant and Lounge has been closed since Dec. 2012. Looks like they’ll be reopening soon, though after peeking in the window, it looks like they’ll be some cosmetic renovations first. Stay tuned.

I’ve been getting this question pretty regularly (most recently on twitter @PoPville) ever since we learned about it back in Oct. 2012:

“Tavern serving bar food with a seating capacity of 70. Occupancy load of 70. Requesting a summer garden with a seating capacity of 20 and entertainment endorsement featuring live music.”

Last month New Columbia Heights reported an ANC Rep heard the owners were shooting for a July opening date. Based on the photo above taken last weekend and word from a reader who peeked in the window, well, I’d guess the likelihood of them opening in July is, uh, let’s say not very likely. Unless they meant July 2014. Anyway, I’m just glad it’s apparently still happening. Though I’ll feel a little more confident when renovations actually start. Stay tuned.

From a press release:

When battling the DC crowds, one might think there is something to the idea of exclusivity. There is also something to the idea of experience. Couple these and add a rooftop locale, signature décor including live grass walls, a very special menu of food and Absenthe cocktails and you have La Fée Verte—a private contemporary speakeasy style club within a club.

Located atop MOVA on 14th Street, guests wishing to experience La Fée Verte will have a private text number through which they can reserve the space at seatings either 8-10 pm, 10 pm-midnight or midnight -2 am every Wednesday through Saturday. Once on the very limited guest list, patrons will enter La Fée Verte by ascending through the curtained stairs of MOVA, where they will be transported to an emerald embodied world of live green grass walls; a forest of leafy plants, stylish cushy furniture, signature glass and serviceware and personal service.

La Fée Verte will offer an Absenthe cocktail based menu from which guests may make their selection of avariety of libations showcasing 6-8 different Absenthes in varying flavor profiles. A savory farm to table snack menu created by Chef Jerry Hollinger of The Daily Dish will be offered for those wishing to pair their cocktail with the appropriate small dish.

Reservations will be taken beginning July 1. It’s all enough to make anyone not in attendance green with envy.

La Fée Verte is located n the rooftop at MOVA.