I’m still surprised how little buzz the opening of this new spot has generated. Perhaps they just don’t have the PR savvy of nearby The Passenger? Bar 7 (careful, link plays loud music) is located at 1015 1/2 7th Street, NW. When I’ve peeked my head in the spot looks quite nice. For those who have stopped how would you compare/contrast it with the Passenger?
I’m only calling this scuttlebutt because I haven’t been able to officially confirm but I believe this has a high likelihood of being true. Here’s an email apparently from an employee that a reader forwarded to me:
“Due to the Whale’s location to Camelot, they have decided to start a new thing on Thursday’s. It’s called Topless Thursday’s. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you have to come to The Whale topless. However, the bar staff will be. All of the female bartenders were told to wear “skimpy” bras, and for those of you who have been before we have some HOT female bartenders. Secondly, all of the male bartenders will be shirtless with a bow tie. Yes, that includes yours truly. So come to see the hot ladies and laugh at me. It’s gonna be the wildest thing in DC.”
A few weeks ago I wondered what changes were coming to The Whale (formerly Sign of the Whale located 1825 M Street, NW) but I never would have guessed this…
Has anyone else heard about this? This could be a hoax but if true do you think this a smart promotion?
Back in January I mentioned that Bella was going to take the space of the old Asmara Cafe at 900 Florida Ave, NW (across the street from 9:30 Club). I had the opportunity to peek inside and have a quick chat with the owner. First of all this place has been completely gutted and redone. Bella will take up two floors. They will have some music occasionally on the second floor. He expects to open in about 2 months. I’ll be sure to update with more photos as the construction progresses.
This is the bar to be located at 116 Rhode Island Avenue NW that we talked about at at the end of Feb.. Unfortunately still no word on the other bar, Rustik, hoping to come to Bloomingdale. But the owners of Boundary Stone had an open house Wed. evening. Thanks my friend Sean for sending some details:
Owners
Gareth and Matt Croke and Colin McDonough
They live in Bloomingdale
One of them won last years city paper’s best bartender in dc award…They will be pursuing a Tavern class alcohol license.
They have applied for sidewalk patio seating.
They may try to turn a tiny side alley into patio seating.
They anticipate opening in January 2011.sample menu
Salads and Starters
Edamame
Deviled Eggs
Quesadilla
Chicken Tenders
Proper French Onion Soup
Tomato Soup
Mixed local greens salad.
Caesar SaladSandwiches and Entress
Turkey Club
Cheeseburger
Veggie Sandwich
Grilled Cheese
Salmon
Raviolli
Steak Frites
Grilled ChickenThey are seeking signatures of those willing to support the project to demonstrate neighborhood support to the ANC. There will be an electronic form forthcoming.
Sounds great. I’ll be sure to post document seeking signatures of support when it becomes available.
Photo by Anosmia
I stopped by for a drink last night and learned some very interesting news – all of the crazy memorabilia is being removed. Apparently it belongs to a (possibly defunct) museum in Baltimore. I asked the bartender what the new theme would be and he said he wasn’t sure.
And here’s even crazier news from twitter – @HStreetDC writes:
“H St’s @RedandBlackBar and Palace of Wonder will have new partnership: Red and Black Palace. Great new burger joint, bigger bands
and
Joe Englert presenting plans to ANC’s ABL committee to combine Palace of Wonders and @RedandBlackBar.”
I also asked the bartender about this but he said he hadn’t heard about it. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.
Update: More from HStreetDC in the comments:
“Englert and Nicklas presented the merger to the ANC6a ABL committee on Tuesday night. They have to tear out a second floor wall between the two places and even out the floor levels to make one big performance space with a good stage. They can get national level bands with the additional space. The burlesque-type acts will still be featured several nights a week.
They’ll add a real kitchen with American food, featuring gourmet burgers. Food probably by Folkman and Cashion.
Why the ABL? Two liquor licenses, two voluntary agreements. They’ll have to merge them and that requires bureaucratic changes.”
We learned back in July that 903 U Street, NW a former art gallery was going to turn into Dickson Wine Bar. I’m happy to report that they are having a soft opening tonight and hope to open to the public over the weekend or early next week. I took a peek inside and the place def. looks ready to roll. I was able to snap one photo of the third floor:
Sweet, yeah?
The space will take up all three floors. The bar will be on the second floor with seating on all three floors. As you can tell the space isn’t huge though it looks super cool. I’d say it could probably fit about 10-20 people per floor with maybe a bit more on the second floor. In addition to wine, while they won’t have a full restaurant, you’ll be able to get cheese and charcuterie as well as some other small plates.
I’ll be sure to announce the official opening date as soon as it becomes available.
“Dear PoP,
Looking glass dropped their entrees. Their excuse: we are transitioning away from being a restaurant. Hmm. I’m disappointed.”
Did many folks go to Looking Glass Lounge, on Georgia Ave at Princeton Streets, NW, for the entrees? Personally I’ve always been a big fan of the grilled cheese and tomato. Will you miss the entrees?
Ed. Note: Looking Glass Lounge is a PoP advertiser.
On Feb. 1st I mentioned that Bar 7 was coming soon near the recently opened Passenger at 1021 7th St. NW. I took a shot of the inside through the glass door to give an idea of the inside. However I noticed a small article in the Post this morning:
“Performing into the wee hours of Sunday morning, DJs Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani graced the opening night of Bar 7 on Seventh Street NW, with a set that ping-ponged between elegance and jubilance. With bubbling synths and paddle-ball bass lines, each song that was pumped through the subwoofers felt like an old favorite even if you’d never heard it before.”
I’m gonna need to stop by to get a proper feel for this spot. Stay tuned for early reviews next week.
Sign of the Whale is located at 1825 M Street, NW. I’m not sure if they’re trying to keep up with the recent upgrade of former neighbor the Madhatter but I couldn’t really tell what was different. Perhaps just the logo is changing? When I peeked inside on Sunday the place was too crowded to bother a bartender. I guess they still have 10 days to make some changes… Anyone know the scoop here?
Ed. Note: As mentioned previously, Bloomingdale has been frequently teased with the possibility of getting a neighborhood bar. Hopefully the following tip will turn out to be true but as with all scuttlebutt please read the following as an unconfirmed report.
And the potential good news keeps on coming for the possibility of a bar finally coming to Bloomingdale. Now it looks like we may have a race on our hands. A reader writes in this scintillating tip – a bar called “Bloomingdale Hospitality” is looking to move into 116 Rhode Island Ave, NW and are in the process of applying for permits and licenses.
In late January I broke the news that Bloomingdale was close to getting its first bar (Rustik Neighborhood Tavern), to be located at 1832 1st Street, NW (near T St.), pending some permitting issues. Well 116 Rhode Island Avenue, NW is actually right around the corner so it’ll be interesting to see who makes it first. I’m really hopeful that Bloomingdale actually will get a neighborhood bar one day soon. And from all the folks I speak to, I think the first one to set up shop is going to be rewarded with a very grateful and loyal following…
I echo what the original tipster wrote:
“Here’s to hoping that with three projects on that corner, at least one will get finished!”
( Baraki is the third project referenced above.) As soon as a permit is posted I’ll be sure to update.
