Goodbye Carpool

Carpool is already surrounded with many
high rise apartments in Ballston.

Beloved local bar Carpool in Ballston is set to close its doors and garage bays for the last time this Monday, April 3. Sadly the longtime favorite casual sports bar will be torn down for a 22 story apartment building later this year.

Carpool has occupied a special place in the Arlington night life scene for years as its cheap prices, what-you-expected-from-a-dive bar food, pool and dart games, and a great open area on the patio that connects to the main bar when its garage doors are open. It's one of the few "dive" type bars left in the area, and a key spot for long time regulars and casual happy hours and Penn State grads.

With the nice spring weather upon us Carpool should see lots a business this weekend. Monday night will be the best time to visit as it is also the celebration of opening day for Nationals baseball season.

Get There Before It's Gone 2015

1. Jay's Saloon
After years of being in limbo, Clarendon's last true dive bar Jay's Saloon will now close on May 18. Known for being down to earth, casual and super cheap Jay's flourished in being the opposite of all the new and flashy bars that have popped up in Clarendon over the past 10 years. Husband and wife owners Jay and Kathi Moore are forced to close up the house-turned-bar due to development on that block that will eventually become a four story mixed use building.

2. Carpool
Carpool is officially here to stay in Ballston, but there are rumors that the land this great sports bar sits on may be redeveloped. Apparently the owner of the land is playing with the idea of replacing Carpool with a residential tower and parking garage. I understand this is prime real estate, but Carpool has so much character, lots of games, fun outdoor space with cornhole tournaments when its nice out, and is another local Penn State gathering point. I hope I'm wrong, but I recommend checking out Carpool soon just in case.

3. Public Shoe Store
While not a nightlife venue, Public Shoe Store has had a constant presence in the middle of the Clarendon strip for 78 years. Sadly the owner is closing down the shop after two generations of family providing Arlington with professional shoe care.

No word yet on what might replace the shoe store, but it is prime location for another high end restaurant or small bar.

Clarendon closings in 2014

 This past year was a tumultuous time for Clarendon with many surprise closings of some of my favorite venues. Here is a run down with the changes over 2014:


Sadly the fancy restaurant and rooftop Eventide suddenly closed one Sunday without warning. I wish I had a last chance at the excellent food in the second floor dining hall with the super high ceilings and booths with mini doors. Even worse this high end restaurant is planned to be replaced by Don Tito from the A-Town team, which sounds like it will be completely opposite of what Eventide once offered.

Twin quirky restaurants Tallula and Eatbar both shut down at the end of 2014. I enjoyed Tallula's menu, although it was often empty on that side of the building. Eatbar was a fun movie themed bar, but the food was overpriced and subpar and also suffered from being not close to anything. Texas Jack's Barbecue is set to take over the space in 2015.

We lost Wilson Tavern in Courthouse to a new hotel project this past year. I was sad about that as Social DC PR just started throwing fun themed parties there and it was the spot to catch the last episode of How I Met Your Mother.

Summers in Courthouse is set to close this year, and I have mixed feelings about the outdated soccer bar leaving us. It felt stagnant, but will miss the nights I spent there as a Marymount college student.

Java Shack will be turning into Commonwealth Joe in 2015. I felt luke warm on Java Shack so I am optimistic about this change.

And rumor has it that Carpool in Ballston my close in 2015 and may be demolished to make way for more high rise residential development. I hope that isn't true and we don't lose another quirky old favorite spot here.

Jay's is the clear winner in 2014 as they are still open despite years of talk of closing and the upper floor of the building being deemed unsafe.

Hurricane Sandy Ballston Poker Bar Crawl

This Saturday, December 1st there is another day long benefit to raise money for victums of the recent east coast hurricane. Starting at 12:00 PM, the Ballston are Bars will be throwing a blow out fundraising event to support those who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The DC Restaurant Group partners Kevin Roberts and Chip Thompson have started a Non-Profit called Delaware Coast Aid to benefit this and have already raised over $50K for those suffering in New Jersey and New York. Here are the Details for the Pub Crawl / Poker Run: Starts at The Front Page in Arlington at 12pm Registration is $10 or $15 which gets you an event t-shirt $2 Bud Lights, $3 Fireballs Start at Front Page then go to: 1st stop - Union Jacks 2nd stop - Rock Bottom Brewery 3rd stop - Bailey's 4th stop - World of Beer 5th stop - A-Town 6th stop - Carpool 7th stop - First Down   There will also be a poker prize give away at Front Page. You need to get a playing card from each bar listed above, then return to Front Page by 4pm. The best hands sit down at poker tables and play for the grand prizes, including Redskins and Capitals gear, gift cards and golf bags. There will also be 5-10 more poker tables available for people to buy in and play rounds of poker.   Zippy Shell Mobile Moving & Storage will also be out in front of The Front Page in Ballston on Wilson Blvd from 9am-8pm for donations. They will be collecting: canned goods, diapers, blankets, pillows, clothes, and all other non perishable items to be delivered to the folks in New Jersey and New York who have lost so much.

Green beer specials

vArlingtonLocal reports these March Madness specials tomorrow:

Clarendon Grill-1.50 drafts 7-9pm
Rhodeside Grill- $10 ML Pitchers 4-9pm
Carpool-2.50 nattys all day1/2 off apps&2.50 beers 4-7pm
Mister Days 2.50drafts 4-9pm

Also, local blogger Miles Grant gives us ways to find Real Green Beer, as in brew that is organic and not dyed with green food coloring. Another reason to frequent Lost Dog!