2001 18th Street, NW
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Now you can see all the info about CARLA:
“One of the country’s most acclaimed drinking destinations is soon bringing a new neighborhood bar to the intersection of Washington, DC’s Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. Long-time Adams Morgan residents and hospitality partners Bill Thomas and John Roberts are preparing to open CARLA, a globally-inspired multi-floor place where guests can gather, connect and linger from early evening into late night, opening at 2001 18th Street, NW.
For more than 25 years, Bill Thomas has helped define Adams Morgan’s nightlife. From opening The Blue Room in the neighborhood in the late 1990s, to pioneering one of Washington’s earliest whiskey destinations with Bourbon, to earning international acclaim with Jack Rose Dining Saloon, now home to one of the world’s largest whisk(e)y collections and recognized among the globe’s premier spirits destinations, Thomas has spent his career creating places people return to again and again.
Now, together with longtime business partner John Roberts, Thomas is expanding on his historical neighborhood legacy. CARLA will be a neighborhood bar inspired by Adams Morgan’s international and rich nightlife history, and the simple idea that great hospitality brings people together. Created as both a home away from home and a nightlife destination, CARLA is designed for guests to settle in, stay awhile, and gather over classic cocktails, shareable food, genuine hospitality, and an ever-evolving soundtrack, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy house DJs, live bands and more.
“CARLA feels like a full-circle moment for me,” said Bill Thomas, co-owner of CARLA. “More than 25 years ago, I opened the Blue Room just a few blocks away in Adams Morgan. It taught me that the places people remember most aren’t just about what’s in the glass, they’re about how they make you feel and the people you meet there. CARLA is an evolution of that spirit. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the last two decades — from the Blue Room to Bourbon to Jack Rose — and built a neighborhood space where great hospitality, great music and thoughtful drinks come together to create a place that gets back to the simple pleasure of what a great bar can be.”
Throughout the multi-floor space, guests will discover lounge-height seating, communal tables, warm lighting and a high-fidelity sound system that encourages both conversation and celebration. In addition to the first-floor bar, with table and bar seating, and plenty of standing room, CARLA will also boast a two-tiered open-air rooftop bar. Vintage photographs documenting Adams Morgan’s historic bar scene, live jazz performances and carefully curated DJ sets create an atmosphere that evolves naturally throughout the evening.
The food menu mirrors CARLA’s globally inspired perspective with approachable, shareable plates designed to complement everything from a quick cocktail to a leisurely evening with friends. Guests can snack on House Chips & Onion Dip and Roasted Poblano Croquetas, share vibrant dishes like Crispy Tempura Squash Blossoms with Bulgarian feta and Berbere Spiced Chicken Skewers, or settle into “Smedium Plates” like Dijon Marinated Lamb Chops and the Bang Bang Shrimp Bao — an approachable lineup that pairs as naturally with a quick happy hour cocktail as it does with a long evening spent around the table.
Behind the bar, CARLA emphasizes approachable cocktails at neighborhood-friendly prices. Classic cocktails receive thoughtful updates, including a playful nod to early-2000s nostalgia with a lychee martini, while remaining accessible at $13 (or $10 during happy hour). A variety of spritzes are offered all day, every day for $11, alongside an easy-drinking selection of beers and wines sourced from around the world. A robust selection of no- and low-alcohol beverages, including ready-to-drink options and non-alcoholic spirits, ensures every guest can find something to enjoy.
While every detail at CARLA has been thoughtfully considered, from the music to the cocktails and hospitality, the goal is intentionally simple: to create the kind of neighborhood gathering place where guests feel equally welcome whether stopping in for one drink after work, celebrating with friends or spending an entire evening immersed in the energy of Adams Morgan.
For Thomas and Roberts, CARLA represents not only the next chapter in their hospitality journey, but a return to the philosophy that first inspired it: creating spaces where people feel connected, to one another, to the neighborhood and to the moment.
CARLA will not take reservations, and will serve walk-ins only. More details about CARLA’s official opening including final menus, opening date and more will be shared later this month.
ABOUT CARLA
CARLA is a neighborhood bar at the intersection of Washington, DC’s Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle neighborhoods, located at 2001 18th Street, NW, from hospitality partners Bill Thomas and John Roberts. Inspired by Adams Morgan’s vibrant cultural history, CARLA brings together thoughtful cocktails, shareable food, music and genuine hospitality in a space designed for connection, conversation and celebration.”