Bars

New Pub, District Lost and Found, Coming to Shaw from owner of Nanny O’Brien’s, Atomic Billiards, Buffalo Billiards, Bedrock Billiards, Iron Horse Taproom, Laughing Man Tavern and Ripple

By Prince Of Petworth

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1240 9th Street, NW

Big news for 1240 9th St, NW located right next to the newly expanded Long View Gallery by the Convention Center. This is the building with the wild front window:

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Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association shares all the details from owners Geoff Dawson and Brian Leonard:

“District Lost and Found (DL&F), locating at 1240 9th St., NW, will be a neighborhood gathering spot very much in the same style as Nanny O’Brien’s in Cleveland Park. We hope to build a core business that primarily serves our nearby residents. While we will not have a full service kitchen our aim will be to provide a robust selection of snacks and appetizers. We also intend to use our food capabilities from sister businesses such as Ripple and Nanny O’s to provide unique menu items. We will focus on offering a hardy beer and wine menu, with particular focus on the craft beer market.”

Li’l Pub Closing January 6th on Capitol Hill

By Prince Of Petworth

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655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Thanks to a reader for sending word of the sad news that Li’l Pub was closing on Capitol Hill. I spoke with owner Howard Scherr who confirmed that the Li’l Pub was closing and their last day would be January 6th. He says that building was sold to CVS next door. Mr. Scherr says he realizes that the Li’l Pub was an institution and that “we will all miss each other.”

Last November 2012 there was a rumor of a closure. Sad news for an iconic spot:

“Built in 1937 as Little Tavern No. 20 – Little Tavern was: a chain of hamburger restaurants in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.  The first Little Tavern opened March 24, 1927 in Louisville, Kentucky, by Harry F. Duncan. The first Washington location was opened in October 1928 and the first in Baltimore opened its doors in June 1930. By 1937, there were 33 shops open. At the height of the chain, there were almost 50 locations. Duncan sold the chain in 1981. The last restaurant closed on April 29, 2008.”

Dear PoPville – Bars for Pre-Gaming Sunday Morning?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user abo23

“Dear PoPville,

My friend is coming in to town from KC for the Redskins game this weekend and we don’t have the means to tailgate so I’m looking for a bar that will be serving breakfast and beers by 8am or at latest 9am on Sunday morning. Does anyone in DC do that? Bonus points for anything off the Orange/Blue line.”

I know Lou’s in Columbia Heights opens at 10am. 51st State near Foggy Bottom opens at noon. Anyone know a spot that opens early near Orange/Blue lines?

A Look Inside All Souls Corner Bar Opening Up “in the next few days” in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

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8th and T Street, NW

It’s been a long time coming but All Souls Corner Bar is finally opening up at the corner of 8th and T St, NW. Yesterday I spoke with owner David Batista who shares the good news that they got their Certificate of Occupancy and will be opening in the “next few days.”

It’s another incredible transformation of a derelict property:

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October 2011

From their Facebook page:

“All Souls seeks to be a neighborhood bar. We’re not a sports bar, a gastropub, a wine bar, a speakeasy or a restaurant. We will be none of these things, yet we will have something for everyone. You will be able to find the craft beers of a gastropub and the interesting labels of a wine bar. If you prefer a cocktail it will be crafted with care and attention to detail. The food will be simple, but elevated, not your typical bar food. And you’ll be able to enjoy all of it while listening to good, eclectic music or watching the game quietly playing in the background.

With over thirty years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, our experiences range from serving beers in small bars to working alongside James Beard Award winning chefs. We have done it all from washing dishes to running multimillion dollar restaurants. Our experience working in restaurants is where our concept originates.

The basic premise of All Souls is to take restaurant quality service and adapt it to a bar setting. Attention to detail, friendliness and a commitment to serve the highest quality drink and food are the heart of what we want to do.”

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Batista tells me there will be 4 draft beers, 12 beers in cans and bottles and 12 wines in addition to a cocktail menu, which will feature the “classics with a twist.” As far as food is concerned, to start there will be a small sampling of snacks to include olives, nuts, cheese etc. and these options will expand a bit over time. But this is not a restaurant – it’s a proper corner bar. It’s incredibly refreshing to hear a place like this opening. No themes here just a very cool gathering spot. Additionally there will be a jukebox with an eclectic mix of soul, old soul, R&B, Rock and Jazz. Hours will be Mon.-Thurs. 5pm – 2am, Friday 5pm – 3am, Sat. 1pm-3am, and Sun. 1pm-2am.

I can’t freaking wait.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Faces Lounge Hoping to Open in Logan Circle in about Three Months

By Prince Of Petworth

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1414 14th Street, NW

A reader writes:

“1414 14th St. (Sav On Liquor) is boarded up with some construction permits in front (just since yesterday, I think). Do you know if Faces Lounge is still the plan?”

I stopped in and spoke with the owners last weekend and they confirmed the construction is for Faces Lounge which will be located in the basement. If all goes according to plan they hope to open in about three months. Updates when they get closer to opening.

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