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.

Start saying your goodbyes to Jay's... again

Jay's Saloon is still serving cheap beer and eats as Clarendon's defacto dive bar, but its no surprise to anyone that their days are numbered. Since opening their doors in a converted house in 1993, Jay's owners Kathi and Jay Moore have kept it an unpretentious neighborhood bar that contrasts sharply with Clarendon's popular night life spots like Spider Kelly's, Ballroom and Mad Rose. Ever since their landlord would not renew their lease and have been on a month-to-month arrangement there has been rumors and talk of Jay's closing.

This summer is no different, as progress to raze Jay's and the neighboring car dealerships is progressing slowly. Clark Realty recently submitted an updated plan on what they want to replace the 3100 block of 10th street with. The new development is now named 10th Street Flats and will feature mixed use buildings with 136 apartments and thousands of square feet of retail and office. It will also include 9 strange live/work units, similar to those in the Garfield Park Apartments that are still vacant.

While the new development might help bring more much needed foot traffic to 10th street, the news should really server as another reason to visit Jay's outdoor patio at least one more time this summer.

Jay's Saloon featured on WAMU DC Dives

Local favorite Jay's Saloon was recently noted on 88.5 FM WAMU's DC Dives feature. Jay's is getting ready to celebrate its 20th year in business in September, and WAMU interviewed its owners James and Kathi Moore and some regulars to investigate how it became the "last unpretentious place" in Arlington. Who knew Jay's had a trashy romance novel book exchange?

No news to anyone, but Jay's Saloon future is uncertain. The building owners have hinted at tearing down the old house and adjacent car dealerships and build four story condominiums. I'm hoping this won't be anytime soon, as this low key bar that is litterally steps away from my home is a nice contrast to the typical Clarendon venue.

Get There Before Its Gone...

The announcement that corner block of Highland and Washington will eventually be demolished to make room for a 10 story office building has made me and my fellow Clarendon bloggers sad, as we will be losing a favorite late night hotspot Eleventh Street Lounge.

This has inspired me plan a bar hopping night to some local Clarendon venues that are either closing or might leave us soon:

1. Eleventh Street Lounge

Eleventh Street Lounge

As soon as I moved to Clarendon, the red walled lounge quickly became one of my favorite spots. Upstairs features a warm and narrow modern bar, with a "secret" dancefloor basement that I've gotten many fun memories from. They also used to have free stand up comedy shows in the basement regularly. I also enjoyed their stuffed burgers with mixed sweet potato and golden french fries. Definately a must visit place before they close on Sunday Jan 29. Here's hoping they will be able to reopen a new venue when the 10 story building is complete!


2. Jay's Saloon

Jay's newly felted pool table

Jay's is a long time favorite due to its dive-ish easy going ways, off-the-beaten-path location and half price burger Tuesdays. Even though Jay's states it is not going anywhere until at least 2013, their location next to a series of car dealerships on 10th Street and possible month-to-month lease worries me. I'm excited that they are coming up on their 20th anniversary in Clarendon. Check out their great happy hours from 4 - 9pm on Thursdays.

3. O'Sullivan's

O'Sullivan's

There have been no rumors of O'Sullivan going anywhere, but I listed it here due to their location in front and below of the stalled Zom/USAA planned 10 story apartment building. I'm worried that if construction ever starts, we might lose this Irish pub that features trivia night on Wednesdays, karoke Tuesdays, and live music Thursday to Saturday. This small bar also features a mean bruch special on the weekend.

Happy Hour Specials @ Jay's

Jay's Saloon is a tucked away local secret that is off Clarendon's main strip at 10th and Hudson Street. Its a great little dive bar with a very friendly staff and low priced offerings. I usually go for the crab cake sandwich, which is decent.

I was able to take advantage of their happy hour beer specials today, which last from to 4 to 7pm weekdays.
$2.50 domestic bottles
$2 mugs
$7 for a full pitcher
$2.50 for house wines

It doesn't look like they offer the $1 domestics anymore =(

Check out Arlington Happy Hours for more after work specials!

Also, the Cookography blog has a great article listing the best restaurants in the DC area.