Bars

Friday Question of the Day – Where are the Best Post 7pm Happy Hour Deals?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

“Dear PoP,

I have a very important question for your readers. What restaurants/bars in DC have happy hour specials that extend beyond the usual 4-7pm M-F timeframes? I tend to work until 6:30 or 7pm on most weeknights and end up missing happy hour entirely at most places. It’s such a bummer. I know that H St. Country Club runs their happy hour until 8pm, 1905 until 7:30 and The Heights offers their specials from 4-7 on the weekends as well. Are there other options as well?”

If you have recommendations please say what neighborhood the bar is in as well. Are there any post 8pm happy hours? Who has the latest happy hour in town?

Also are there any really good happy hours that go beyond $1 off drafts and wine? Who has the really good deals in general? I’m thinking like back when Lucky Bar has $1 Bud specials on Thursdays. Also does anyone know of any good food happy hour specials as well.


Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

Cricket Fans You’re in Luck – Catch the World Cup Finals this Saturday at Touchdown

By Prince Of Petworth

I know we have a lot of cricket fans in PoPville… Perhaps not, but I still think it’s awesome that we have the option of watching the World Cup Finals somewhere. Touchdown is located at 1334 U St, NW. Out of curiousity – any cricket fans? I’m pulling for India!

From an email:

Championship Saturday
featuring the International Cricket Council

Come celebrate the 2011 ICC World Cup at Touchdown!

Sri Lanka vs. India (Mumbai, India)

Doors Open at 6 a.m./Drink service after 8 a.m.

Select Breakfast Menu from 6 a.m.-12 p.m.

Judging Restaurants/Bars – Bar Rouge

By Prince Of Petworth

Bar Rouge is located in Hotel Rouge at 1315 16th Street, NW. Their Web site says:

“Our sexy, chic lounge serves up spirited elixirs, creative American cuisine and specialty dishes perfect for sharing. Sip tasty cocktails created using liquid sensations and mixology. Savor the vine with our extensive wine list that changes monthly. Start with appetizers like crispy shrimp, spicy calamari or hot chicken wings. Our playful dinner menu features sublime sliders, fresh salads, and delectable entrees including pan seared chicken with whole grain mustard sauce, steak frites with grilled onions, grilled salmon with tomato basil puree, and grilled Angus burger on brioche. Indulge in sumptuous desserts like banana crème brulee and strawberry tiramisu. Bar Rouge serves breakfast, dinner and late-night cocktails till one in the morning.”

Any fans?

Dear PoP – Can We Get an Update on the Brixton and the Independent Coming to Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was just thinking I haven’t seen a follow-up on much needed coffee in my Florida and U neighborhood. Do you have any idea what came of the 715 Florida Ave place?”

and

“Hey PoP. Whats up with the Brixton?! I pass it every day and haven’t seen any activity there since they put up the fence.”

There have been a lot of recent inquiries and emails about these two projects. The Independent is a coffee lounge and bar coming to 715 Florida Ave, NW (just east of 9th and U St.). The exact description from the liquor license was:

“Coffee House, bar lounge, 199 seats and total occupancy of 235 on first floor and storage on first and basement. Summer Garden with 75 seats and a total occupancy of 90.”

I can tell you that these projects continues to move forward – I recently traded emails with the architect (it is the same architect for Brixton and Independent). However glancing at 715 Florida Ave, NW at this point it looks like only a Demolition permit has been issued for the Independent. I’m not sure what permits have been issued for the Brixton but I think work has been ongoing.

I believe that some of the ownership team are the same folks behind the Brixton and Blackbyrd opening soon next to Marvin (the Hilton brothers) not to mention Billy Simpson’s in Petworth. I’m told all of these projects continue to move forward. It seems that the strategy is to complete one project before moving on to the other. Clearly – Blackbyrd (14th and U St, NW next to Marvin) will be completed first. Following will be Brixton, the Independent and Billy Simpson’s. I don’t know in what order. But they’re all still coming! (Knock wood…)

Queen Vic Opening Thurs. with a Limited Menu on H St, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

We took a peek at the Queen Vic’s menu back in Feb. The Queen Vic is located at 1206 H Street NE. You can see their final menu here. They’ll be soft opening with a limited menu tomorrow, Thursday 31st. This past week they’ve been open for drinks and I stopped in to snap some photos.

Anyone check them out yet for drinks?

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Adams Morgan’s Grand Central Gets Table Taps

By Prince Of Petworth

Grand Central is located at 2447 18th St., NW. Thanks to a reader for sending the word:

“Last week Grand Central got two “pour it your self” draft tables. pretty cool.
They are going with Craft beers.
Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Avery White Rascal Belgian White
Bell’s Amber
Flying Dog Raging Bitch IPA”

I think this makes the third spot in town to get table taps along with Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights and Redline in Penn Quarter. Know of any other places that have table taps? And what’s the verdict on table taps – do you think they’ll be around for a while? Do you think a lot more bars will/should get them?

Toki Underground Opens April 1 above the Pug on H St, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

H Street Corridor’s newest addition, Toki Underground, is proud to announce its grand opening on April 1. Come and experience Chef Erik Yang’s vision of bringing the hip alley streets of downtown Taipei to District diners.

The menu is based on Yang’s own family recipes and his experiences working at ramen shops in Taipei. The restaurant seats 25 diners, who will experience Hakata-style ramen and dumplings made from scratch. The restaurant will offer an extensive list of unique sakes, Asian microbrews, hand-crafted cocktails, and popular Asian soft drinks.

Toki Undergound is located at 1234 H Street NE in the heart of the H Street Corridor and is open seven days a week.

I stopped in last night for some photos and the place looks amazing. The attention to detail is freaking spectacular. The space is pretty small so be prepared for lines/wait I’m guessing 7 days a week… Though I hear that in the future it may be possible to order some Ramen downstairs at the Pug. You can see their menu here. Those options at the Pug would be sweet.

More photos including the drinks menu after the jump. (more…)

Beer History in the Making: DC Brau to be Served April 15th at Meridian Pint

By Prince Of Petworth

I am very happy to report that at long last you will soon be able to drink a Public Ale from DC Brau – DC’s first brewery in over 60 years. I spoke with Meridian Pint general manager Drew Swift who shared the great news. Friday April 15th will be a huge launch party for DC Brau’s Public Ale. The party will be called “Tax Relief Day” and from 5-8pm you’ll be able to sample the Public Ale for $4 a pint and from 8pm through the rest of the night for $5. There will be multiple kegs including, of course, on all the table taps. Commemorative t-shirts celebrating the historic event will be available as well. For the rest of the weekend DC Brau’s Public Ale will be available exclusively at Meridian Pint (11th and Park Rd, NW). And starting Monday keep your eyes peeled for Public Ale throughout the city.

Ed. Note: Meridian Pint is a PoP advertiser.

The Scoop on New Restaurant/Bar Moving into Former Social Space in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of days ago I shared some scuttlebutt that a new restaurant would be moving into the old Social space at 14th and Meridian Pl, NW. At the time I had very little info other than a “full service restaurant” would be coming. There has been a lot of speculation about Social since they abruptly closed back in Nov. ’10. While I think there will always be some mystery as to what happened – I’m happy to say that I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the new owners and we discussed his new plans for the space. I think this is gonna be a very very big win for the neighborhood.

The space is going to completely transformed. On the first floor is going to be a true neighborhood bar with a 70s Paul Newman/Steve McQueen movie theme with a particular emphasis on racing. Think Bullitt. For someone who’s favorite movie is Cool Hand Luke – I found this to be very welcome news.


From famous chase seen in Bullitt

In addition to the cool theme the first floor bar will lose the lounge feel and set up and look like a proper bar. There will be tvs for sports and very good happy hour deals. I’m told the happy hours will be huge and last from 3pm – 9pm with a variety of other specials everyday.

The second floor will be the dining space. It was described to me as an upscale diner. I was told, “think comfort food done very very well”. The chef has already signed on and comes from an established restaurant.

And more good news for those that live in the neighborhood – if you are a big fan of diner food you will be able to get it to go and if you live in Columbia Heights – they will deliver. [I’ll be sharing the menu in the coming weeks when it is finalized.]

I was told the new restaurant and bar will have three main focal points – happy hour, brunch, and an awesome outdoor space. The outdoor space will be completely re-landscaped both at street level and up top. There will be an outdoor bar added to the second floor patio area. In addition to other happy hour deals don’t be surprised to see a daiquiri happy hour for the 2nd floor patio. Additionally, I’m told a cool mural will be on its way as well.

The owner that I spoke with lives in the neighborhood – is excited to make this a welcoming place for all. The space is going to be reconfigured with new landscaping, new paint, new furniture, a new decor/theme, a new menu, new specials and hopes to open around May 1st.

I’ll be updating with more info as we get closer to that point.

Sound good?

Shaw’s Tavern Coming to 520 Florida Ave, NW Hopes to Open in June

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any news about the commercial spot at 512-520 florida ave, NW Between 6th and 5th?? Everything I read back in September sounded like it was going to have something by the new year! I’m dying to know what ends up there!”

Last night @LeDroitParkDC tweeted:

“Shaw’s Tavern at 520 FL Ave NW scheduled to open in June. Wood oven pizza, pastas & tavern classics on the menu.”

Left for LeDroit shares a floor plan and writes:

The restaurant, slated to open in mid-June, will seat 65 – 70 people inside and 15 – 18 people on a sidewalk patio on the 6th Street front. On Florida Avenue near the eastern end of the building, the restaurant will feature a special door just for take-out pizza orders.

Inside, however, the restaurant will feature a variety of entrées priced from $12 – $18.  Mr. May distributed a tentative menu.

Left for LeDroit wrote earlier in the week:

“we are told it will be similar to Clarendon’s Liberty Tavern”

Anyone ever been to Liberty Tavern?

More updates as progress continues on the space.

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