Bar Roubaix officially opens Friday in Columbia Heights but if you’re in the neighborhood tonight come on by! All the details and the menu for Eric and Ian Hilton’s “cycling-centric neighborhood bar and restaurant”

1400 Irving Street, NW (formerly Acre 121 and Commonwealth Gastro Pub)

From a press release:

“Ian and Eric Hilton are set to open their latest production, Bar Roubaix, a cycling-centric neighborhood bar and restaurant on December 8 in Columbia Heights. Located on 1400 Irving Street, N.W. Bar Roubaix will feature an eclectic menu of craft beers, European street food and pastries.

Check out the full Roubaix Menu (PDF)

courtesy Bar Roubaix

The concept of Bar Roubaix is inspired by the growing and vibrant cycling culture in the DMV. Named after the iconic city of Roubaix, terminus to one of the world’s oldest and most iconic races of professional road cycling.

The menu focuses on the cuisine you would encounter on the streets while cycling across Europe. It’s helmed by chef Rafael Nunez formerly of Busboy and Poets, and Eatonville.

“When you’re riding through the European cities these are the food you’ll eat. From arancini of Italy, zapiekanki in Poland, to doner kabobs you see all across the continent, we want to give our guests a culinary tour of the delicious street eats of Europe.” says Arturo Zaloga, one of the designers and operator of Bar Roubaix. “The beer program will be an eclectic rotation of cyclist favorites, like Natty Bo for the bike messengers and a fine selection of Belgians for the more discerning customer. There will be something for everyone.”

I peeked in the window Sunday morning after a Movember fundraiser – you can get an idea of the arcade simulation game

The interior design and atheistic is inspired by Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist, Alphone Mucha, with a mural designed and painted by local artists Justin Poppe and Joseph Orzal. It also features a pool table and a one-of-its-kind cycling arcade simulation game powered by Open Sprints software, where guests can race each other.

“We want to create a space where cycling enthusiasts can come relax over good beers and enjoy authentic street foods that will transport them to the streets that host the Tour, the Giro, or the Vuelta,” adds Zaloga.

Bar Roubaix will have plenty of parking racks and will feature a fixing station where cyclists can perform maintenance or adjustments on their ride.

A beer garden style patio will be open to guests throughout the year. The bar will open daily at 5 p.m. with the kitchen closing at 12 a.m., Monday through Sunday. The bar will remain open until 1 a.m. on Thursday and through 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.”