1901 9th Street, NW courtesy SOST
From a press release:
“SOST, meaning “three” in Amharic language, is set to debut at 1901 9th St NW on Friday, December 13, in the heart of D.C.’s historic Shaw neighborhood. This three-story cultural destination delivers an unparalleled immersive experience integrating dining, music, and community in celebration of the Black diaspora. What once stood as an Ethiopian community center now features a hybrid café/wine bar, a restaurant with a rooftop lounge, and a secret subterranean space for auditory discovery and craft cocktails.
SOST is the brainchild of the Abebe siblings—three Ethiopian-Eritrean entrepreneurs whose diverse expertise drives their shared mission. Siem Abebe, a real estate visionary and head of Solo Investment Group, spearheaded the transformation with years of development experience; Izzy ensures seamless operations; while Mariam’s creativity brings life to the space through strategic partnerships.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef D’Aangelo Mobley, SOST’s culinary offerings reimagine traditional African favorites through a global lens. Signature dishes include Berber-Q braised chicken, DC Halfsmoke, Harissa creamy salmon, and Jollof rice, each showcasing a blend of eclectic influences and local flair. The venue’s elevated multisensory experience extends to its architectural design, led by Howard University alumnus Jimmy Drummond of Drummond Projects, alongside its vinyl programming curated by Matt Talley of Cool Kids Vinyl.
Key Features of SOST:
Vinyl Room: A hidden basement gem offers an intimate nostalgic vinyl experience and craft cocktails
Hybrid Café: A specialty Ethiopian coffee shop by day to an elegant wine bar by night offers coffee cocktails and wines from South Africa, South America, and Black-owned vineyards
Resto-Lounge: A versatile indoor-outdoor space with a mezzanine and rooftop lounge
Retail Offerings: including curated vinyl records, coffee beans, books, and wines
From the soulful soundscapes of Neo-Soul, Afro-Piano, and Jazz-Funk pulsing from high-tech audio systems to the culinary fusion of flavors in its menu and rich aromas of Ethiopian coffee and spices in its cafe, SOST is thoughtfully designed to ignite the senses and invites guests to explore the rich narratives of the Black diaspora throughout every touchpoint. By fostering a dynamic ecosystem of culture, commerce, and creativity, SOST aims to empower its community and serves as a bold reimagination of what a social space can be.
SOST will be open Thursdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 2 AM; and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 AM.”