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.

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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?

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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.

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Murphy’s Law recently opened up at 4624 Wisconsin Ave. NW near one of my favorite breakfast spots (Morty’s formerly Krupin’s). Has anyone checked them out yet? How do they rank in terms of Irish Bars in the city? We talked about some of the best Irish bars in the city here.

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“Dear PoP,

I walked past the Mocha Lounge yesterday and although it was closed, it looked really inviting- lots of pillows, armchairs, sort of a Euro cafe vibe (at least to my caffeine-starved brain). Do you know if they’re actually serving coffee there yet? Yelp says the bar area has opened but I’m more interested in the espresso.”

When I last wrote about Mocha Lounge, located at 944 Florida Ave, NW, a few commenters mentioned that it was open for a new year’s party. Sadly every time I’ve walked by during the day it has been closed. So for those that live nearby, what’s the scoop here?

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Wow, this is very sad news. Polly’s was located at 1342 U Street, NW and was one of the first “new” cafes/restaurants to go into U Street. Just in from a reader:

“Tried to go to Polly’s this weekend — turns out they have closed! Tragedy! Do you have any information on this terrible, terrible occurrence?”

And it is confirmed on their Web site:

“Polly’s has closed.
We miss you already.
Check back here soon for a personal note…”

This is really shocking news.

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As always, on a scuttlebutt post it is not confirmed but I believe this news has a high likelihood to be accurate. In other words I didn’t just hear this from a random lady at the grocery store… One more caveat is that I’m not exactly sure that this is the correct building. It could be another one from the 1200 block of H Street, NE. So here’s exactly what I heard – the owner of the bar Wisdom (which incidentally we just checked out a couple of weeks ago) has purchased a property next to Granville Moore’s located at 1238 H Street, NE. I hear that he is going to lease out the lower level to Granville Moore’s and the top level will host a bar, presumably similar to the style of Wisdom.

Again I’m not sure if this means The Martini Lounge will no longer exist or if it is a different building. I promise to update with more info as it becomes available. But this is the fun of running a blog – I can share with you interesting rumors as I hear them. I do believe this rumor will turn out to be true but like all scuttlebutt you have to take it with a grain of salt.

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We first learned that Madhatter was moving to 1321 Conn. Ave, NW from M Street back in October. It opened up last week and I have to say the place looks amazing. First of all it is huge. It takes up two adjoining storefronts:

On the first floor (upon entering) it has a great huge bar:

The opposite side (in the first photo) has a nice distinct dining section. You can see their menus here. Quite a difference from the previous look, yeah? Continues with lots more photos after the jump. Read Full Post

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The old Pap & Petey’s located at 421 H Street NE is becoming Toyland. For those that live in the neighborhood they’re having a sneak preview this evening.

Here’s what it looks like through the window:

And in other H Street news it looks like the Rock and Roll Hotel has applied to open up a rooftop deck.

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When the Passenger opened up at 1021 7th St. NW, near the Convention Center, it instantly improved that stretch of 7th Street. I was excited to see coming soon signs for the nearby Bar 7 to be located at 1015 7th Street, NW. I seem to recall an alcohol application license a while ago but it seems they are a lot closer to opening now. If they are half as good as the Passenger it’ll be great news.

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I finally had the opportunity to visit the great bar Wisdom located at 1432 Pennsylvania Ave. SE on Friday night. I was happily surprised to see that the place had a very chill atmosphere and most importantly the drinks were terrific. I feared that it was going to be a bit pretentious but fortunately I couldn’t have been more wrong. It just feels like a regular neighborhood bar along the lines of a slightly upper scale Red Derby. For those who want to check them out they’re having an absinthe tasting on Tuesday.

I’m also told that the nearby Trustys is a terrific bar. Anybody ever check either of these spots out before?

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Bloomingdale has been teased with the arrival of a neighborhood bar for years. Many thought that Baraki to be located at 1st and T Streets, NW would be the answer. Baraki’s opening has been delayed for months and there is no indication that it will open any time soon. On Twitter, there is some talk that Big Bear Cafe (1st and R) has applied or will apply for a liquor license though I didn’t see an application in the window when I walked by last weekend. But what I did learn was even more exciting. I ran into the owner of the soon to be Rustik Neighborhood Tavern to be located at 1832 1st Street, NW.

The owner, Diton Pashaj, told me that there are still a few hurdles to clear and some construction to be completed but his description sounds like just what many residents of Bloomingdale are craving. He hopes the space will be ready to open in May. He are some details:

“Yes, we will have food

Yes, we will do brunch

Happy hour…check

Yes we will have outdoor seating

Jukebox…no problem

Yes, it will be a cozy, neighborhood bar

Yes, we will have many delicious kinds of draft beer, and a wine or two for you wine lovers

Yes, we will be active participants in the Bloomingdale community”

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From Facebook:

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Hotel Rouge, 16th St NW

“Flying Dog Ales and BrightestYoungThings.com welcome Thievery Corporation home for a 5 night run starting with this Open to the Public Happy Hour reception and photography exhibition.

Throughout the Bar Rouge view photographs taken by ESL Music’s house artists as well as local, professional talent’s coverage.

All photos and artwork will be on display at Hotel Rouge for the duration of the Thievery Corporation shows in DC – January 20th thru January 24th.

Hell, play your cards right, impress the right people and you might just get a “miracle on the lot” ticket, as ALL of Thievery’s 5 nights and events with Flying Dog are SOLD OUT. Or just rub elbows with world-famous musicians and artists while drinking independent, world-class and local beer.”

Thanks to a reader for sending.

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Potter’s House is located at 1658 Columbia Road NW. We took a look back in August 2008. A reader recently writes:

“This past Saturday I walked down to Tryst to do some reading and could not find a single seat – understandable since it’s a nice location to have a drink, people watch, and socialize. After doing two “laps” around trying to find a seat, I eventually left and started my cold walk back home. One my way, I passed The Potter’s House on Columbia Rd., and figured, why not, I’ll give it a try. I’m really glad I did! There are no baristas and it’s not quite the “scene” that Tryst is, but it’s warm, relatively empty, clean, and cozy.”

Anyone other fans out there?

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It was back in April 2009 that we first learned about Iron Horse Tavern coming to Penn Quarter. I’m happy to report that they’ll be opening up at 507 7th Street, NW Thursday evening. There was still some construction going on when I stopped by but when they finish up on Thurs. they’ll be open. After Thursday regular hours will start at 4pm. There will be 20 beers on draft and no bottles or cans. This is strictly a tavern and no food will be served though they do have an agreement where food can be brought in by customers or ordered from nearby Austin Grill or DC Chophouse.

It is a two level bar with the upstairs being more like an “upscale neighborhood hangout” according to GM Daniel Williams. The downstairs, with a capacity of 177, is filled with games and two connected bars. One will be open right away and will feature skeeball, shuffleboard, jukebox, and big buck hunter. The adjoining smaller bar is tentatively titled the “Story Bar” which will not open for another week or so and will feature photographs from a bicycle trip taken by City Bikes owner, Charlie McCormick. Owner Geoff Dawson envisions that the space will include photographs and postcards from others who take trips around the world. Mr. Dawson is also the president of Bedrock Companies which includes Aroma, Atomic Billiards, Bedrock Billiards, Buffalo Billiards, CarPool, Continental, and Mackey’s.

You can call 202-347-7665 to confirm what time they open tomorrow.

While it wasn’t completely finished when I stopped by, this certainly looks like it will be a nice addition to the Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhood. Photos after the jump. Read Full Post

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