Bars

Scuttlebutt of the Week

By Prince Of Petworth

Despite my 97% accuracy rate, scuttlebutt is exactly that. I can not guarantee the following is 100% truth. It is merely rumor, however, history has shown there is a strong possibility that the rumors will turn out to be true.

Rumor number one: The Temperance Hall building is on the market. That means the whole building that houses Looking Glass Lounge and Yoga House is for sale not the individual businesses. Those two business have secured multi-year leases so they will not be affected should the building sell. However, it will be interesting to see if there are any longer term implications when their leases run out in a number of years. I believe the building is going for $1.3 or $1.8 million. What do you think are the implications if a sale goes through for the long term?

Rumor number two: Colorado Kitchen is currently in negotiations on renewing their lease. Rumor has it the negotiations are not going that well. There could be a move by the end of the year if a deal is not reached. Has anyone up in North Country heard this rumor?

Practical Joke or Practical Use?

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone who has been to the lower level of Looking Glass Lounge may have noticed that there is a bag of water suspended over the entrance to the outdoor patio area. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out it’s purpose other than a weird spot for a goldfish or for popping over an unsuspecting patron’s head. But it turns out it is actually placed there to keep flies out. How this works I have no idea. Has anyone ever heard of this method for keeping flies out? If so, how does it work?

Good To Know – Music at Columbia Station

By Prince Of Petworth

Walking up 18th Street this Sunday I was lured by some live music from about a block away. Good to know that Columbia Station offers live jazz for Sunday brunch. Right on. A nice compliment to a lazy Sunday meal.

New Tavern Coming to U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

I noticed this application for a liquor license this past weekend. It is located at 1013 U Street and the application lists the bar as “Lounge of Three” a new tavern with entertainment including live music and/or Karaoke. It’s hearing date is listed as June 25th. Looks like the building will need some serious renovations, which is good news that another run down storefront on U Street will be brought back to life. And how can you not love karaoke?

Speaking of U Street’s revival: I saw in today’s Post that Mr. Jeffrey Koenreich recently passed away. The Post says, “M. Jeffrey Koenreich, 54, who helped organize the Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association and led efforts to revitalize Washington’s U Street corridor in the 1980s and 1990s, died May 1 at his home in Miami after a heart attack.” Read the full obituary here. I think it’s important to remember those who have made positive contributions to our neighborhoods.

Has Anyone Been in this “secret” bar?

By Prince Of Petworth

So a colleague of mine told me about this place a while ago but I still haven’t had a chance to check it out yet. She says it pretty fresh in a very unpretentious way. I can’t remember the name but that doesn’t matter because there is no signage only this red marking. It is located on 14th Street north of U Street a few storefronts down from Marvin’s. So I’m dying to know about this place. I’ll be checking it out soon but was wondering if any folks have already been?

So We All Know The Saloon is Pretty Dope

By Prince Of Petworth

But I don’t think we’ve ever discussed how cool their “bricks for schools” program is. You pay $150 to get your name on a brick and the money goes to building/maintaining desperately needed schools in various countries. So despite all it’s quirks this in and of itself is a great reason to patronize the bar. It’s a personal favorite of mine to hit before catching a show at the 9:30 club.

“Quoth the Raven” by our Intern in Mt. Pleasant – Tina

By Prince Of Petworth

The Raven needs no introduction.

Ah, The Raven. For many, that phrase elicits little more than memories of High School English class, and that creepy bird taunting a young man over his lost lover, Lenore. For a few (perhaps a few more these days) The Raven has become symbolic of another love lost; the home away from home, the dark corner all your own, the dumpy little dive bar untainted by the masses. The Raven has seen it’s way through more than a few changes since 1935, most recently the building has been under construction to create some new affordable housing. But it’s still here, and it doesn’t look to be going away any time soon, as the management company (www.mannadc.org) doesn’t have any plans to get rid of the place.

Some friends and I stopped in for a couple drinks last night and I spent some time chatting with the bartender, Sam, who was just about as nice as could be. Like the dutiful “reporter” I am, I asked Sam what he likes best about The Raven and he told me it was the old school pictures behind the bar. Forgive me if I’m getting it wrong, but I believe the story goes something like this: A few years back a young woman moved to DC and came looking for The Raven at the insistence of her Grandfather (or maybe her Dad?) She stopped in for a chat with the bartenders and they got to talking about the place, and it’s history. When she reported back that The Raven was indeed still alive and well, Gramps sent some pictures of himself and his buddies hanging out at the Raven back in the 40s. And there it is, a little slice of history right on the wall!

Sweet Mango Cafe Renting Its Roof Deck?

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m not sure if the roof deck was rented or not but there was some sort of party going on this past weekend. I think it was a birthday party. Pretty sweet spot. Note to self – have a future PoP happy hour on the Sweet Mango roof deck. Right?

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