Bars & Parties

A slew of restaurant openings for fall

Some favorites to close, as D.C. makes way for new venues

Published

14 years ago

September 9, 2010

As summer ends, the D.C. area will be awash with several new dining options in every quarter of the city. Whether your tastes run toward the upscale or more down-home fare, the fall season has many offerings on the horizon to make sure that nobody goes home hungry.

Chef Jason Kaufman takes the helm of the new Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar (801 Ninth St., N.W.), opening this month, and looks to cast traditional Cuban fare in a more modern light. Expect lighter sauces, expert use of cilantro and the omnipresent black beans to infuse the standard Latin-inspired offerings. In order to get your palate ready for the Cuban flavor profile, try Capitol Hill veteran Banana Café to get a feel for the subtleties of Cuban cuisine as opposed to the sometimes heavy-handedness of traditional Tex-Mex dishes.

With fall comes a welcome break in the heat wave, so diners will be seeking outdoor options before winter sets in. Those wishing to eat under the stars should check out the newest eatery in Clarendon, Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill (2424 Wilson Blvd.). This new hotspot, located atop the Delhi Dhaba and Subway restaurants in the heart of one of the trendiest up-and-coming spots near the Courthouse Metro, hopes to draw crowds with a rotating menu of American focused cuisine, though the owners are keeping the liquor offerings a secret. Look for a weekend brunch service and a contemporary menu centered around “value and variety.”

A New York City staple will make its way into the District this October. The legendary saloon P.J. Clarke’s will bring its signature burgers, steak and raw bar menu into the space near the White House that once housed Olives. Décor will pull from the classic urban experience of tin ceilings, subway tiles on a weathered bar and red-and-white checkered tablecloths. For those wanting a slightly swankier experience as an option, the downstairs will offer a separate restaurant whimsically named Sidecar; a spiffy gentlemen’s club with overstuffed leather banquettes and fancier American fare (1600 K St., N.W.).

Two new gathering places will try to capitalize on the success of recent German schnitzel spot Biergarten Haus in the Atlas District. New gastropub Queen Vic (1206 H St., N.E.) looks to offer British fare like curries and meat pies along with English breakfasts and pub foods to disprove the myth that the British can’t eat well. A full slate of British ciders and ales round out the dining experience. Down the street, Smith Commons (1245 H St., N.E.) will offer a broader international menu with a focus on craft beers and cocktails. Smith will present itself as an urban lounge in a former industrial space (the building was once a carpet warehouse).

Tysons Corner in McLean will play host to Michel (1700 Tysons Blvd.), the latest venture by famous chef Michel Richard. Specializing in elegant French-American cuisine, Richard has taken over the space that once housed Maestro of the Ritz-Carlton and has furnished it with a sleek color palette of burgundy and steel gray. Look for classic French offerings such as coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon accompanied by Chef Richard’s inspired plating designs.

Sadly, with so many new restaurants opening, there are bound to be some closings as well. Bethesda’s underground noodle house Ren’s Ramen was scheduled to close its doors over the holiday weekend. The owners are looking for nearby space, however, so a rebirth may be on the horizon. Enology Wine Bar is also no more, but it has been rebooted as Alliance Tavern (3238 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.). Look for a shift in focus toward pub fare like the new Southwest tuna sliders and an effervescent pesto pizza.

In reality competition news, the cheftestants of “Top Chef D.C.” have left our fair city and have headed to Singapore for the home stretch of the competition. The remaining four chefs will compete in a two-part finale with the Top Chef being named on Wednesday.

Bars & Parties

Support HIV research with a drag show

Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure, TrevHER to perform

Published

3 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Tara Hoot performs at Cherry Sundays on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

El Techo will host, in partnership with Cherry Fund, a special edition of “Cherry Sundays” on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m.

This event is a one-day fundraising bottomless brunch. There will be performances by Evry Pleasure, Tara Hoot and TrevHER, with DJ Lemz. All tequila shot purchases will be donated to the Cherry Fund.

The Cherry Fund raises money for LGBTQ non-profits whose primary goal is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS with prevention, treatment and education, and mental health services.

The event costs $45, inclusive of bottomless brunch on margaritas, mimosas, Bloody Marys and Tecates.

Bars & Parties

MAL kicks off Jan. 11 with Bootcamp

Mid-Atlantic Leather begins with party at Bunker

Published

4 months ago

January 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

MAL Weekend kicks off next week. (Image courtesy of Bunker)

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend arrives next week with a kickoff event Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Bunker. Organizers at Kinetic promise a surprise drill sergeant who will whip you into shape. Joshua Ruiz DJs the event. This event is for VIP pass holders only; visit kineticpresents.com for details.

Bars & Parties

A roundup of New Year’s Eve parties in D.C.

Celebrate the start of 2024 in style

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

Xavier Entertainment LLC will host the seventh annual Times Square NYE Celebration at 10 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Busboys and Poets will host New Year’s Eve Open Mic and Party at 10 p.m. at 2021 14th St., N.W. This will be an evening of poetry, live DJ, dancing, food, and good company in a vibrant atmosphere where local artists take the stage, showcasing their talents in various genres. The night will be hosted by the talented Charity Blackwell and will feature award-winning poet Black Chakra. Dyanna Monet will deejay. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite.

BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Pitchers and A League of Her Own will host a NYE party with complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a DJ all night long.

Shaker’s plans a drag extravaganza with Tatianna and Crystal Edge among others starting at 10:30 p.m.; the $10 cover includes a glass of Champagne.

Bunker hosts a 12-hour masquerade ball with several DJs, including Joe Gauthreaux. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets start at $45 and are available at bunkerdc.com.

DJ Alex Love spins NYE at Dirty Goose with drink specials at midnight.