Photo by PoPville flickr user Laura_Grageda
Dear PoPville,
Do you know of any bars that are open late on christmas eve and then all day on christmas day?
I got an email saying that Jack Rose, 2007 18th St, NW, would be open Christmas Eve. I’m also guessing there is probably some overlap with spots that were open on Thanksgiving. Anyone else know for sure who’s open on Christmas eve and/or Christmas day?
816 H St, NE
Lots of interesting H Street, NE tweeted by @mgholwill on Friday:
New digs for @HR57jazz moving to 1007 H late Jan, 2012. Best yet? Includes street front coffee shop Alchemy open 7 am til midnight.
Tony Puisan will retain @HR57jazz space at 816 H for new BeBop Cafe for blues club, poetry, events.
If you’ve been longing for a bakery on #HStDC, new Alchemy coffee shop @HR57jazz at 1007 H plans house-made pastries, breakfast all day.
Plans sound cool. Sadly, I have still not reconciled their move from Logan Circle…
1007 H St, NE
Back in July ’11 we learned that a new spot called Boxcar Bistro (though signage now says Boxcar Tavern) would be opening up in the former Petite Gourmet space next to Tunnicliffs at 224 7th St, SE by Eastern Market. The project is from Xavier Cervera, owner of Senart’s, Lola’s, and Molly Malone’s on Barracks Row. You can peek in the window and see that they’ll be opening any day now. Do you like the way it turned out?
Blackbyrd Warehouse, located next to Marvin at 2005 14th St, NW, opened up back in July ’11. I’m curious is folks have tried out the menu or if they like it more as a bar? If there are fans of the menu, any must order items? How does it compare to Marvin next door?
Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo
Dear PoPville,
I was wondering if you might be willing to post the following query to your readers relating to an experience I had recently. I think it raises interesting questions about the role of “public” private spaces, namely local bars, and what purpose they serve for city dwellers. Since moving here from New York two years ago, I’ve found that norms and expectations relating to the uses of public spaces are different here and I thought this episode might spur some debate among your readers (I swear this isn’t another “why can’t be DC be as cool as NY” rant).
This week an old friend called and let me know he was in the neighborhood and asked if I wanted to meet up. We’ve had a long-standing backgammon rivalry for a while and so when we decided to head to the Raven, which is just a few doors down from my apartment, I brought the board and we settled into a booth and began to play. Once we got started, we realized that neither of us really felt like drinking, but we figured it was cool to play since the bar wasn’t too crowded and there were plenty of empty booths. However, after a few minutes, the bartender came out from behind the bar and asked us if we were going to order something. This is the question I want to pose to your readers: is a bar a place where people can gather regardless of whether they are “customers” or is there an expectation that they will buy something when they enter the door?
My initial reaction was surprise. I’d always assumed bars are places where people are welcome to gather, regardless of whether or not they imbibe. Space wasn’t an issue since it was a pretty slow night, and we weren’t putting anyone out (although I realize the bartender survives on tips). In New York I’d played backgammon or chess in my local dive many times without buying anything, knowing that the bartender wouldn’t mind since I was a good customer. I don’t claim to be a regular at the Raven, but it is my neighborhood bar and I drink there fairly often. A local haunt was one of the first things I sought out after moving to DC because it’s important to have a public space that you can call your own. What I’d like to ask your readers is this: am I unjustified feeling so annoyed by the bartender’s demand that we buy something?
City Paper shares the goods this morning:
“The previous owner couldn’t handle it, so I’m taking over,” says Siya Sadeghi, introducing himself as the new face of embattled booze-less boîte Shaw’s Tavern during a meeting of the local ANC2c on Wednesday night…
Sadeghi rattled off a number of prior eateries that he’s worked on in D.C., primarily as a builder, including Tabaq on U Street and Haydee’s in Mount Pleasant. But only one he’s ever owned: the former Axis on U.
You can follow the saga of Shaw’s Tavern, located at 520 Florida Ave, NW which closed in Aug. 11, here.
Were there any fans of the former Axis? Axis was located at 1340 U St, NW and is now the home to Bistro La Bonne.
WJLA reports:
On Tuesday, the D.C. liquor board came to an agreement with the management of Heritage India to reopen on Dec. 21, but the establishment has agreed to a series of limitations in order to serve alcohol.
As part of their reopening, Heritage India must give up their entertainment license, meaning that they must close every night by midnight. They’re also required to sell food with alcohol.
Heritage India, located at 1337 Connecticut Ave., NW, was the scene of a fight that resulted in a Nov. 27th shooting death as well as stabbings. They released their own statement here.
I think they may already be open but will be able to sell liquor on the 21st? I took this photo yesterday:
It’s been a while since we checked in on Boundary Road coming to 414 H Street, NE. Back in Feb. ’11 we learned it will be a:
“Neighborhood style American fare menu, full service restaurant and bar with a seating capacity for 65 patrons. Total occupancy load of 80. Entertainment will consist of occasional live music or DJ.”
The outside is looking great.
But a peek in the window reveals there’s still a bit of work to accomplish inside:
Photo by flickr user Kevin H.
From an email:
This Sunday, Dec 11 at 6 pm, Bourbon Adams Morgan will be offering rare and exotic beers aged in bourbon barrels.
On draft we will be pouring:
Great Lakes Blackout Stout in a Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout in a Bourbon Barrel
Allagash Curieux in a Bookers Bourbon BarrelThe debut of 3 Stars/Olivers Rye Pale Ale blended with a Rye Porter aged in Hudson Rye Whiskey Barrels!!!
We will also have bottles of Founders Backwoods Bastard and Mikkeller Blackhole aged in Bourbon
Full pints and flights will be available as well as the bourbon special of the night and with the purchase of a 2oz pour of Buffalo Trace, Bookers, or Hudson Rye, a pint will be discounted $2 while supplies last.
On a sadder note this will be my last shift before I take the long move up to Buffalo…gotta see about a girl.
Buffalo’s gain is our loss. Brian Kruglak was def. one of DC’s best beer directors. Good luck, Brian!
Lost Society opened up back in June ’11 at the corner of 14th and U St, NW. You can see their menus here. So I’m curious what folks think of this spot all around. In addition to dinner has anyone checked it out for brunch? What do you think of it just as a spot to get a drink?