“Berliner Announces October 23 As Last Day of Service”

3401 Water Street, NW, photo by Geoff Livingston

Sad new from an email:

“The Berliner, the popular German comfort food restaurant and beer hall in Georgetown, announced today that it will close later this month due to extensive, multi-year renovations and construction planned by the building’s new owners. The last day of service will be Sunday, October 23, with various activities and specials planned during its final days to thank the staff and community for their support.

“Our family has a special connection with Georgetown, and The Berliner offered us a chance to share an important part of our journey here with the community that has embraced us from day one,” said Zubair Popal, CEO of The Popal Group. “While it’s too soon to know when we will reopen after construction we want to spend our final days celebrating everything this space has meant to our family, our team, and our guests.”

The Berliner, part of The Popal Group, first opened its doors in 2013 as Malmaison, the third in a trio of French-themed concepts by the Popal family, along with Café Bonaparte (now French neo-bistro Lutèce) in Georgetown and Napoleon’s (now Afghan bistro Lapis) in Adams Morgan.

In 2018, The Popal Group reconcepted the 4,200 square-foot warehouse on Water Street to celebrate the family’s ties to Germany with traditional comfort food snacks and a 24-tap beer hall featuring a rotation of craft beers including a mix of local and German favorites.

Reservations for the last two weeks of service are available through Tock at www.theberlinerdc.com.”