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1644 North Capitol St. NW

Thanks to a reader for passing on this report on Monday from the Bloomingdale blog:

“This evening, the Bloomingdale Civic Association voted to support the request by Lot 1644’s business owner, Teri Janine Quinn, for a liquor license.”

@Lot1644’s twitter page says:

“A wine & cheese bar opening in Bloomingdale – Washington, DC.”

Ed. Note: We first heard rumors of wine bar in the old borf building now popped up, back in 2011. Can’t believe it might actually happen soon!

Ed. Note 2: It’s humorous to note in the first rumored post we were still discussing the delayed opening at Engine Co. 12


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3514 12th Street, NE

A reader updates on Brookland’s newest opening – Smith Public Trust:

“Wanted to let you know that I stopped into Smith Public trust on 12th street in brookland tonight and they’re in the process if their soft opening. Tomorrow they’ll be having craft brew specials for the US game ($5 drafts) and are planning to have specials throughout the cup (paring food with the country- ie, mussels for when Belgium plays)”

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“Copy of soft opening menu, open house they’re going to expand the menu, but a nice start for sure!”

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On twitter @PublicTrustDC writes:

“Cheers to everyone who came out yesterday to watch the game. We’ll be open around 3p for more open house tours, grubs & #WorldCup #Brookland”


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@ShamaiLama tweets us the photo above:

“Absurd line to get into (presumably) Buffalo Billiards for the match @PoPville”

@jjmessner notes:

“DC bars seem to be surprisingly unprepared for US-Ghana crowds: under staffed, laid out for lunch.”

For those who went to watch the game last night – where’d you watch and how was it?


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“Dear PoPville,

Not sure if any of your readers are aware of this “controversy,” but Bistro 18 seems to be in a bit of hot water with Lambda Legal and the DC Office of Human Rights. According to the story, a transgender patron was presented a receipt with “Gay Bitches” as the table number about a year ago. When confronted about the faux pas, the manager did the right thing by waiving the bill and fired the server on the spot, but they still got Lambda Legal involved and now have a case pending with the DC Office of Human Rights.

I think that this is a ridiculous action on both the part of the patron and Lambda Legal. Bistro 18 is an LGBT-friendly establishment that has hosted numerous fundraisers for the local community. Additionally, several of the staff members there are part of the LGBT community and it’s a shame that they will ultimately suffer because of the bad publicity. Since the complaint was filed, Lambda Legal even went so far as to incite a cyber-bullying campaign against Bistro 18, which has resulted in their Yelp score suffering with petty reviews from non-DC residents.

Here’s a good take on the incident from The Bilerico Project, a major LGBT Blog:

With LGBT activists and netizens constantly ready to retaliate against any perceived slight and conservative Christians regularly claiming that many businesses are unfairly attacked by activists, what responsibility does Lambda Legal have to ensure that they aren’t damaging a business’ reputation without reason? Should they be held responsible for any harm they cause the establishment – particularly if the bar is found innocent by the city’s human rights commission?


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Photo via Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar – 2121 P Street, NW

From a press release:

“After eight years of operation, Urbana will close to the public beginning Tuesday, July 1 July 14th, to undergo a $600,000 interior renovation for a refreshed look, reopening for business in early late August.

Urbana will retain its sleek, urban ambiance while doubling its bar area, relocating its private dining room, refreshing its P Street patio area, and incorporating other design elements into a more free-flowing floor plan. The design concept for the renovation was led by GrizForm Design Architects, an award-winning design firm based in Washington, DC that has designed spaces for Fiola, Estadio and Cava. (more…)


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1501 9th Street, NW formerly Mandalay Burmese restaurant which closed at 9th and P St, NW in May

From a press release:

“Mixologists and brothers Ari and Micah Wilder, along with their partners Armin Amin and Adrian Williams, are pleased to announce the July anticipated opening of Chaplin Cocktail Bar at 1501 9th Street, NW. Chaplin is a nod to Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin, an English actor, comedian and filmmaker who rose to fame in the silent era. The restaurant will showcase cocktails from the 1920’s with a unique, handcrafted twist. Chaplin will serve Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 12 AM; Friday from 4 PM to 1 AM; Saturday from 12 Noon to 1 AM, and Sunday from 12 Noon to 12 AM.

Ari and Micah Wilder have a rich mixology background with 29 years of combined experience. While Micah was opening cocktail bars throughout San Francisco, his younger brother Ari was following his lead in Washington, DC. Then, in 2008, Micah joined his brother in the nation’s capital to found Wilder Bros LLC, a cocktail consulting company. The dynamic duo created over a dozen cocktail programs throughout the city since launching their company. They also opened their first venture together, Fed Restaurant in May, 2013 and supply cocktail programs throughout the city with their proprietary mixers and lost ingredients.

The cocktails at Chaplin will be influenced and named after Charlie Chaplin’s comedic films. Standouts include the Gold Rush, Champagne, Montenegro amaro, peach liqueur, peach bitters and golden flake; The Tramp, rye whiskey, Bénédictine, Peychaud’s bitters and burned orange peel; The Vagabond, Tom Cat gin, blanc vermouth, lemon bitters and tonic; The Pilgrim, Genever, Crème de Violet, ginger beer and lime; Lime Light, vodka, Leopold’s apple liqueur, green apple soda and lime vin; Sunny Side, made from a combination of three rums, orange Curaçao, cherry liqueur, Peychaud’s bitter and pineapple with citrus; By The Sea, Speyside scotch, Porto, apricot liqueur, Champagne and lemon, and the Laughing Gas, Blue Coat gin, blackberry liqueur and lemon laughing gas soda, which is made combining helium to their house-made soda to create laughter while imbibing. Cocktails are priced at $10 each.

Design and fabrication agency SwatchRoom will be responsible for the interior scheme for Chaplin. The two story, 83-seat dining room will be enveloped by the nostalgia of a flickering black and white cinematic experience. The space will feature layers of antiquated textures and artifacts from film and entertainment. Bold accents of rich gold and reds can be found throughout the space leading to the private Opium Den located on the second floor. Additionally, an expansive 80-seat outdoor patio “Piano Bar” will be available during the spring and summer months, and is sure to become a neighborhood gathering place.”

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Image via Chaplin Restaurant’s website


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1819 M Street, NW

A reader sends word that MPire will be opening soon M Street downtown. Their website says:

“We are pleased to announce the Mpire Club will be opening soon.

The Mpire Club is committed to providing unrivaled service, creating the finest in food and beverage, and implementing hospitality best practices. Combined with our avant garde design and esthetic, the Mpire stands ready to provide a completely new experience.

In the building formerly known as Joanna’s 1819 club, a new state-of-the-art facility has been built for your entertainment & dining pleasure.

We look forward to our guests joining us to relax and enjoy specialty cocktails, eat executive chef inspired house made entrees and small plates, and enjoy the beauty and talent of our exotic lounge performers. All the while our guests will be surrounded by a luxurious and contemporary interior design.

Please join us once we open and allow our hostesses, management, and performers transport you to a new level of recreation and hospitality…”

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handsome_cock_bar_u_street
1334 U Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending an update on Handsome Cock (formerly Touchdown) above the Codmother:

“Looks like they finally found a way to compromise.”

When the bar switched names to Handsome Cock they wrote:

“Our landlord doesn’t like the name , so for a while we will have fun with this song without a proper signage. We will stand firm and sooner or later we will put our name outside.”


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Photo of Rhino Bar via their facebook page

From an email:

“Several of the Washington Redskins will be at Rhino Bar & Pumphouse, 3295 M St. NW, guest bartending from 9pm-close on Friday, June 6th. We will have drink specials, giveaways, and chance to meet several of your 2013-14 Washington Redskin Players. Some of the players expected to be there are:

Kai Forbath, Ryan Kerrigan, Pierre Garcon,Kyle Nelson, Zach Hocker (R), Nick Williams and more….Get to Rhino early as we expect this to be a packed event.”


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