Back in Jan. ’11 we learned that The Codmother would be coming to 1334 U St, NW underneath Touchdown sportsbar. We’ll soon be eating fish and chips on U Street!
What do you think of the logo? I’m going with an emphatic thumbs up.
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Bars
Thanks to all who sent in word about Toyland’s closing at 421 H St NE. Walking by this weekend – there are already signs up on the windows for the replacement – ‘The Big Board’ featuring Gourmet Burgers coming soon.
Were there any fans of Toyland? I’ll be sure to revisit when they open to see about these burgers.
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The Queen Vic opened up a couple of months ago at 1206 H Street NE. You can see their menu here. Anyone try the more adventurous menu options?
And what’s the word on the bar itself? A good place to just chill for drinks?
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“Dear PoP,
I was walking by the old Commonwealth space this weekend and noticed that all the Commonwealth insignia have been removed from the front fence and facade. Any word on when the new space will be open or a name?”
Back in Feb. ’11 we learned that CommonWealth was closing at 1400 Irving St NW near the Columbia Heights metro. Recently I’ve been getting many inquiries for an update like the query above. So here’s what I’ve learned.
The new name will be selected very soon and with one of the final options there could be a connection with the new name and the history of Columbia Heights. It is very likely that the new place will be open pretty soon around July 1st. I was able to take a quick tour and while you’ll recognize the CommonWealth space there has already been massive changes. The space has been completely opened up. The new bar/restaurant kinda reminded me of a smaller scale, more modern American Ice Company with the addition of some live music similar to like they have at Hill Country (in the basement a sorta country/southern/blue grass vibe.) Another similarity to Hill Country will be some bbq options on the menu though the complete menu will also offer some other southern specialties.
Sound like a good fit for Columbia Heights?
I’ll be sure to update as we get closer to July 1st.
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Back in late April I shared the news that a new neighborhood bar would be coming to 3628 Georgia Ave, NW in the old (long vacant) Huron Pharmacy building. A number of people have been asking for an update – so here’s a bit more info that has become available. They’ve applied for a liquor license at the end of May:
New Tavern with food and beverage service for on premise consumption. Entertainment for inside premises and summer garden will include low volume musical performances such as two or three piece member acoustic bands and DJ’s. Seating capacity is 65. Total occupancy load is 65. Summer garden will have an estimated seating for 120 patrons.
They’ve created a Facebook page for the bar to be called DC Reynolds. You can see some photos of the construction progress and what it currently looks like on the inside – here and they describes themselves as:
American pub and grill opening fall 2011 in Park View/Petworth. DC Reynolds was founded by restaurateurs Jeremy Gifford, Jon Calvert, and Justin Gifford after years of experience with a wide range of diverse concepts. DC Reynolds will integrate a full service home cooked menu with a relaxed, comfortable ambiance.
But my favorite post from their Facebook page says:
Met with some farmers and cheese makers this morning at the Bloomingdale Farmers market to talk about sourcing local meat, produce, and cheese. The dragon breath cheese and prosciutto we tried were awesome!
Sweet! Stay tuned for more info as construction progresses.
MiG Bar opened up last week on the second floor above Rendezvous Lounge at 2226 18th St NW. Their facebook page says:
“Reasonably-priced, quality beverages – Good tunes – Benign decadence”
Sounds promising. Anyone check them out yet?
Yesterday afternoon, I swear, seriously, I was just looking for a glass of water as I unwisely took the capital bikeshare from Petworth to Cleveland Park when it was 95 degrees out. By the time I stumbled down to Woodley Park, I thought I was hallucinating when I saw the sign above at the Hot N Juicy located at 2651 Connecticut Ave, NW. The guy who was working must’ve thought I was crazy. I asked is that just for Bud Light? He says no, all beers. I say when is the happy hour? He says all day. I asked three times because I couldn’t believe it. Then I walked over to the bar and saw Heniken and Shock Top and asked if they were $1 and the guy just starts laughing. Yes.
It’s true – I bought a Shock Top for $1 (screw my dehydration!). I don’t know how long this promotion will last but I think this may very well be the best deal in town.
On a completely unrelated note – on Mondays through Wednesdays, all day, I can now be found at 2651 Connecticut Ave, NW…
Photo by PoPville flickr user Laura_Grageda
“Dear PoP,
One of the great things about Chicago is the quaint neighborhood restaurant/saloon. I was wondering what growing neighborhood in DC you and your readers thought could most use a simple but fun watering hole that also serves decent, reasonably-priced food. Bloomingdale? Hill East? Brookland? Navy Yard/Baseball Stadium?”
Ed. Note: This is one of the most fun things I love about running this blog – getting contacted by business owners who seek our genuine feedback. This business owner is legitimately looking into opening a spot up like this in DC. Obviously many people are simply going to state the neighborhood that they live in (myself included) but let’s try to give a reason why rather than simply saying because neighborhood x, y or z is awesome.
Personally I would love to see one on Upshur St, NW near Domku and Corehaus by Georgia Ave. It is not too far from the metro but is a bit off the beaten path and has a very chill neighborhood vibe. Since Domku is more of a restaurant and there are no other chill bars nearby (Hitching Post would be the closest 7 blocks away) it would fill a significant void. That’s my personal choice but like I said, I’m biased as I don’t live too far away.
Now if I were to answer that question as simply a neighborhood blogger and not a resident – I’d think Hill East would also be very popular. Hill East already has Trusty’s which is kinda like what you describe but I think they could support another chill place on Pennsylvania Ave, SE a bit closer to the Eastern Market metro. Similarly, I think Bloomingdale would eat one up and has a strong neighborhood feel but keep in mind there are few new places already slated to open up there (ie Boundary Stone.) For that reason you might have better luck in the neighboring Truxton Circle neighborhood which is a Saloon desert. I also think one in the Mt. Vernon Square neighborhood would be wildly successful given the lack of chill options besides The Passenger.
I imagine a Chicago style Saloon on a corner a bit separated from other bars.
What neighborhood (and specific street if you can think of one) do you think would best support a Chicago style Saloon and most importantly – why would it?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
From an email:
Doggy Happy Hour
Locals and their canine companions can relax on the Helix Lounge’s spacious outdoor patio while enjoying Doggy Happy Hour with special prices on cocktails and food, while pets enjoy free treats and time to socialize. The pet-friendly happy hour, which will benefit the Shaw Dog Park, will take place every Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Offerings for humans include:
· Coco’s Cosmo –Vodka, Triple Sec, Lime and Cranberry, $5
· Mollie’s Ale – Ice Cold Yuengling Lager, $3
· Ginger’s Juice – Crisp Pinot Grigio, $5
· Dogs can enjoy Filtered Ice Water and Assorted Dog Treats.
One dollar from each specialty drink purchase will be donated to Shaw Dog Park for future projects, maintenance, and general upkeep. The Doggy Happy Hour specials are available in addition to Helix Lounge’s nightly happy hour specials, which include half-price burgers and $3 Yeungling bottles and PBR cans, from 5pm to 7pm.
Helix is located at 1430 Rhode Island Ave, NW.
“Dear PoP,
Can you put out a call for thoughts on the new Toledo Lounge in Adams Morgan? Once my favorite dive bar I loved for the Ohio theme, quirky servers, lack of crowds, perfect grilled cheese sandwich and the “When It Rains, We Pour” happy hour, it is now trying its hand at being “trendy” with an expensive beer list and “small plates.” The Toledo Lounge I love is gone! Interested to know what you and your readers think.”
Toledo Lounge is located at 2435 18th St. NW in Adams Morgan. It was sold back in Feb. ’11 to the owners of the Black Squirrel and Ventnor Cafe. I haven’t had a chance to check out the newly reopened space, but looking in the window it looks like not much has changed.
For those who’ve checked it out – what are your initial thoughts?
