In a city that seems to have an endless supply of new restaurant/bar openings, this one is definitely the most eagerly anticipated in my circles. Biergarten haus is located at 1355 H Street NE.
In the meantime don’t forget about Old Europe at 2434 Wisconsin Ave, NW in Glover Park which has been serving the city schnitzel since 1948…
Thanks to a reader for sending the news:
“I don’t know if you read PASTE magazine but it is awesome. Anyways, they have a lists of the day category and they did the 30 Best Beer Bars in America and DC made the list!”
Congrats to PASTE’s selection of Churchkey (1337 14th St, NW). We took an early look of Churchkey here and we judged it here.
“Dear PoP,
Was wondering if you knew anything about what’s going on with the Mocha Lounge at 944 Florida Avenue? I thought it was re-opening as the Mocha Lounge, but apparently, it is becoming the Manchester Bar and Grill. The owners are trying to put some outdoor seating on the sidewalks, and they have repainted (which looks nice). It’s kind of confusing that it did actually re-open as the Mocha Lounge very recently.”
This past Sunday I stopped in and was able to sit in on a chat with owner Darnell Perkins and a couple of very nice Howard University journalists. Darnell cleared up the Manchester Bar and Grill name confusion right away – that was the name that liquor license was listed under but the space will continue to be known as Darnell’s Mocha Lounge or Darnell’s Lounge. And it really does have a lounge atmosphere:
Darnell explained that the space is developing over stages. Currently it is a bar and lounge with live Jazz/R&B on Thursday nights. The second stage will feature coffee options and a small outdoor patio (see photos after jump). Today the space opens at 5pm everyday but starting the first Sunday in May they will open earlier to serve coffee (with wifi available) and a continental breakfast. The third stage will feature proper brunch options. Currently there are some dining options available including wings, salads and mini crab cakes. The space will continue to develop based on recommendations from the neighborhood.
Darnell explained that he sees the space as an extension of his living room. In fact much of the furniture actually comes from his living room. While the space is very comfortable it is sorta broken up into two rooms. In the front room there is a lounge type feel with a big bar (that will serve coffee). In the back room there is another bar that serves alcohol and also has comfortable seating (see photo above). The total occupancy is about 75.
What I liked most about Darnell’s comments were his desire to be welcoming to all. He envisions his spot as a place that brings the whole neighborhood together whether you are black, white, latino, or gay or straight. Given the de facto segregation often seen in some neighborhoods it’s nice to hear about a spot that specifically wishes to cater to all. I certainly look forward to the continued evolution of this great space.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
Upstairs bar
Well this totally fell below my radar. Thanks a million to a reader for sending word about U Street’s newest bar. I was able to hit the opening and snap some photos. Dodge City is located right next door to Velvet Lounge at 917 U Street, NW.
This spot has four partners – Abdul Kayoumy and Haile Berhane (also owners of Velvet Lounge) plus Patrick Mucklow and Angie Hopson. I chatted a bit with Patrick and Angie who were super nice. Patrick previously had worked at Black Cat and Bar Pilar while Angie used to work at this space’s previous resident, Kingpin, among other spots in the city. Even though it was just a soft opening Tuesday evening, I can say the place had a great vibe. Dodge City has two comfortable floors. On the first floor there is a nice bar with about 8 or 9 seats and tables while the second floor has another bar plus a DJ booth.
I asked Patrick how they came up with the name Dodge City – he replied, it’s from a Go Go album where one of the songs has a line, “DC Don’t Stand For Dodge City”. That may be one of the cooler lines I’ve heard in a long time. And while it’s a bit premature, I feel like this spot has the potential to be the best new bar to open up on U Street since Solly’s.
album that inspired the bar’s name
Many more photos after the jump including a look at the beer menu. (more…)
This is the basement space that was supposed to become Dave’s Tavern below Quiet Mind Yoga. As you can tell from the title, Dave’s Tavern is no longer in the works. However, I did speak to the owner, David, who had good news. The space is now going to become a Mediterranean Lounge called, Zeba Bar & Grill. The space will be more like a bar with some dining options like shish kabob. I imagine it will be a Red Derby type set up (meaning more of a bar with some food options). David expects the space to open in 3 or 4 months. Stay tuned for updates as the build out progresses.
I’ll admit I was very skeptical when I first heard about plans for a Jewish Deli combined with an Irish Tavern. Well, Star & Shamrock located at 1341 H Street, NE really impressed me. The space is quite comfortable with a huge bar, plenty of tables and tvs:
As a proud American Jew originally from New York who also drinks a lot of whiskey I feel especially qualified to give a huge thumbs up to this place. Even the latkes were good! Sadly I didn’t get to try any deli sandwiches but I have very high hopes.
A few more photos after the jump plus their soft opening menu. (more…)
As a result of DC’s celebration of Emancipation Day on Friday bars “may remain open one extra hour and sell and serve alcoholic beverages on the night before District of Columbia and federal holidays.”
Have fun but be safe.
Duffy’s, located at 2106 Vermont Ave NW by 9:30 Club is having a pretty sweet tax relief happy hour from 4pm – 8pm on Thursday. In addition to the free food they will also have all beers including imports at 1/2 price and 2.50 rail drinks. If you haven’t gotten your taxes done yet, this could ease the pain a bit.
Ed. Note: Duffy’s is a PoP advertiser.
A reader sent in a link from the Mid City Business Association. They report:
URGENT: DCRA rules no New Building Permits or C of Os will be issued to eating and drinking establishments in MidCity.
On April 5th, 2010 Matt LaGrant, DC’s Zoning Administrator, issued a ruling that DCRA will no longer grant Building Permits or Certificate of Occupancies for restaurants, bars, diners, coffees shops and carry-outs along 14th and U streets (plus adjacent commercial side streets) because of zoning regulations restricting the availability of space to eating and drinking establishments to 25% of the linear frontage of the greater 14th and U Street area. To see a map of the overlay go here.
What the ruling means
*Anyone seeking to open an eating and drinking establishment (including delis, coffee shops and carry outs) will need to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to seek a special exception.
*Requiring all new projects to go to the BZA will absorb an enormous amount of business, community and government resources as projects seek exemptions to a rule that is widely regarded as outdated and harmful to economic development.
*It will stall new projects and prevent existing ones from expanding
*It will discourage entrepreneurs from investing in the MidCity area, including underdeveloped parts of the district.
*It will send a strong message to local, regional, national investors that DC is business unfriendlyMIdCity Business Association’s Response to the Ruling
We will be sending a letter to CM Jim Graham, CM Jack Evans and other city officials asking for their help in obtaining an urgent text change to the zoning regulations to increase the allowance from 25% to 50% of the total area.We will be continue to work with our community partners including the Logan Circle Communtiy Association and the U Street Neighborhood Association along with commissioners from ANC1B, ANC2F and ANC2B to develop a constructive and positive response as our community coalition continues to work together to promote positive, balanced economic and community development in MidCity.
We last discussed concerns about development in this area here. Do you think this will hurt the continued revival of the 14th and U Street Corridors?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
I’ve been meaning to schedule this happy hour for a long time but hopefully this is gonna be worth the wait. The folks at Social (14th and Meridian Streets, NW) have been very generous in offering up their space for the happy hour. The happy hour will take place Thursday, April 29th from 7-10pm. Happy hour prices will be extended for the event. And here’s something even cooler – they’ve agreed to create a PoP cocktail for the event and everytime somebody orders one they will donate a $1 to a charity of our choice.
So I need your help with this. First, any suggestions for a springlike cocktail (I’m thinking something with gin). And, which local charity should we give the donation to? I’d like it to have something to do with children if possible. Leave your suggestions in the comments and I’ll make a selection close to the date.
So mark your calendars for the next PoP happy hour – Thurs. April 29th at Social from 7 – 10pm. If I owe you a PoP t-shirt you can pick it up here and t-shirts will also be available for purchase if you’d like. Hope to see many of you here!