Bars

Progress at New Tavern Coming to 645 Florida Ave, NW in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

645_florida_ave
645 Florida Ave, NW

Florida Ave week continues with 645. Back in Oct. 2011 we learned a new tavern called Inception was coming to 645 Florida Ave, NW in the former “we buy gold”/pawnshop space. At that time the liquor license application said:

“New Tavern. Tavern/Pub style menu. Live entertainment including DJ and occasional live music and dancing. Occupancy load is 399. Summer Garden 100 seats and Sidewalk Café 35 seats.”

I had forgot about the plans until I was walking by last weekend and noticed the outside was looking nice. It also looks like a little bar has been set up on the right hand of the building (though it appears walled off from the left hand side.) So, I’m not sure how this could possible fit 399 unless it connects next door and upstairs?

645_florida_ave_bar

Anyway, in addition to the outside getting fixed up, late last month they applied for their sidewalk cafe under the name Brilliant LLC. Stay tuned:

645_florida_ave_brilliant_sidewalk_cafe

Libertine Awning Up in Adams Morgan (Formerly Toledo Lounge)

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_1135
2435 18th Street, NW

Back in Aug. 2012 Toledo Lounge had closed for renovations. In Feb. 2013 we learned the space would be renamed Libertine. I noticed a new awning went up on Saturday and was previously told that this was holding up there opening. Apparently there was a debate about the size of the awning or something like that. Anyway, should be opening very soon. Looking forward to seeing what the inside looks like.

IMG_1136

Boundary Stone Bike Ride this Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

boundary_stone_bike_ride

From Vaughn:

Boundary Stone Bike Ride
Capitol Heights Metro
Sunday, May 12th, 2013
9:30am – 5:00pm | FREE!

Are you a history buff? Biking enthusiast? Regular old adventure seeker? Join me for a bike ride around the oldest federal monuments, the DC boundary stones.

I walked around the original DC border a few years ago with a friend, and I’d like to do it again – this time on two wheels instead of two feet.

Meet at the Capitol Heights metro at 9:30am – we’ll do the SE, SW, NW, and NE borders in that order. Feel free to join for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sides. If you do it all, expect a solid day (~60 miles) of riding – it’s an urban ride, stopping for lights (and stopping to check out the stones!), so it’ll take longer than your normal weekend jaunt.

Here is the route. I highly recommend checking out the route in conjunction with this site.

This ride will be unsupported – I will provide directions (route + stone locations, places to stop for food & water, metro stops in case you need/want to stop riding), but you should be prepared with everything else you might need: ID & cash, pump & patch kit, etc. We will be riding on regular roads, so take necessary precautions.

Boundary Stone Public House and DC Brau Brewing Company have agreed to sponsor this excursion: the first 50 riders to show up on Sunday will get Boundary Stone commemorative bike ride tshirts, and there will be DC Brau Corruption IPA on tap for $4 at the post-party! Whether you ride one side or all four, join us at the bar from 5pm til ??

Rumors Bankrupt?

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_0975
1900 M Street, NW

Uh oh, Washington Business Journal reports that Rumors has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization:

“1900 M Restaurant Associates Inc., which holds a liquor license at 1900 M St. and operates under the trade name Rumors, owes between $50,000 and $100,000 to creditors”

But all is not lost for fans of Rumors, WBJ also reports this has happened before in 1997. Though if they do go out of business this is some prime real estate…

Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue Kicks Off at the West Lawn of the National Building Museum

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_0902
401 F Street, NW

A few weeks ago we learned Hill Country’s Backyard BBQ was coming to the west lawn of the Building Museum at 4th and F St, NW. The BBQ operates Wednesday through Friday from 4–11 pm, Saturdays from Noon–11 pm and Sundays from Noon–9 pm. I was able to attend the kickoff last Friday. As a fan of the brick and mortar Hill Country located at 410 7th St, NW – I love this new outdoor option. For me, this is all about drinking cold beers and listening to live music outdoors (note – I believe the live music will only be Friday and Saturdays.) For those who work in the area this is going to be a phenomenal happy hour spot. Anyone else stop by yet?

IMG_0916

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

nopa Kitchen + Bar Now Open North of Pennsylvania Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_0744
8th and F Street, NW

Nopa Kitchen + Bar is located in the former Zola space at 800 F St, NW:

You can see their menu here.

Their website says:

nopa Kitchen+Bar, a new 160-seat American brasserie in the heart of Penn Quarter. This is the awarding-winning restaurateur’s eighth restaurant in the nation’s capital. The name represents nopa’s location just north of Pennsylvania Avenue and it welcomes guests for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Greg McCarty is the executive chef for nopa Kitchen+Bar. A graduate of The George Brown Chef School in Toronto, Canada, McCarty’s culinary career began in the New York City kitchen of Jean Georges. He cooked under Chef Vongerichten for six years, working his way up from line cook to executive sous chef of Dune in the Bahamas. In 2005, McCarty returned to Manhattan to open Nobu 57. McCarty worked with renowned restaurateur Drew Nieporent on various restaurant projects, and has also managed his own consulting business, before accepting his new position in Washington.

Ashok Bajaj worked with James Beard Foundation’s award-nominated restaurant designer Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates of New York to create nopa. Its striking interior is light-filled, and sports a rustic industrial style. The décor features whitewashed exposed brick, rough sawn wood paneling, steel accents and metal task lighting. These strong elements contrast dramatically with the plush fabric on the red banquettes and camel leather arm chairs, which provide comfortable seating around sleek wooden bistro tables.

For private dining, nopa Kitchen+Bar offers three exclusive spaces: a 40-seat dining room with a working fireplace, expansive views and AV capabilities; a 24-seat dining room next to the bar, which also have floor-to-ceiling windows, and a cozy 14-seat dining room for smaller parties.

Former G Spot Lounge Space to Become Cafe Midar

By Prince Of Petworth

g_spot_lounge_cafe_midar_dc
5413 Georgia Ave, NW

G Spot Lounge opened up in Sept. 2010 at 5413 Georgia Ave, NW. In Sept. 2012 we learned the space was for rent/sale – $2,500/Mo to rent or a purchase price of $150,000. A liquor license application reveals it will become Cafe Midar:

“New Lounge serving American cuisine with live entertainment, dancing and cover charge. Seating Capacity is 200, total occupancy load is 210.”

Not sure if that is a typo but that seems like an ambitious capacity for such a small spot. Anyway, with the retirement of the G Spot Lounge – Climax Sports Bar now has the honors for the worst/best name in town…

Busboys & Poets Applies for Liquor License in Takoma, Will have 112 Seat Summer Garden

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_0859
235 Carroll Street, NW

Back in Feb. 2012 scuttlebutt was confirmed that a new Busboys & Poets would be coming to the Takoma Central project in Takoma DC. The building is slowly starting to rise and Busboys has recently applied for a liquor license:

“American Bistro with full entrée menu serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with a seating capacity of 216. Total occupancy load of 237. Background music and live entertainment will be provided to include, but not limited to, poetry readings, occasional showing of films, and a pianist. Summer garden with 112 seats.”

IMG_0861

Drinking around Town – Last Exit

By Prince Of Petworth

Last_exit_mt_pleasant
3155 Mt Pleasant Street, NW

Today’s Drinking Around Town was written by dcreba. She lives – and often eats – in Logan Circle. Previously, she wrote about the newly renovated Art & Soul .

If you can find the Last Exit on your first try, you’re already ahead of the game. Although there is street level signage for the bar outside, the subterranean space is accessed via a side door within the parent bar, Tonic. The subtle signage and “you have to work to find me” vibe whispers speakeasy, but without a hint of pretension or exclusivity. Rather, once you find your way in, the narrow space is intimate and inviting, a bar within a bar.

Last_exit_mt_pleasant_bar

Last Exit is busy celebrating its second anniversary this spring, and has re-released a list of infusions and classic craft and barrel aged cocktails. Clare Shipley, beverage manager at Last Exit, explains that all infusions are house made. Most are aged for 6-8 weeks, allowing the flavors to gently meld together. The cocktail menu designed by recently departed head bartender Anthony Rivera is composed of stalwarts and old favorites such as the Harrison, a rosemary and black peppercorn vodka creation. Mixed with tonic and served with a garnish of green grapes, it is a wildly successful combination of savory and sweet with a clean bite and smooth finish.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

View More Stories