Clarendon Day 2019

The giant all day neighborhood party Clarendon Day is happening this year on Saturday, September 21 from 11am to 6pm.  All the roads in around the Metro from Irving to Garfield will be blocked off for pedestrian access to food, arts, crafts, live music and more. This year's live music and entertainment schedule is:

Main Stage Schedule
11-12:30 Lloyd Dobbler Effect
1-2:30 DreamStreet
3–4:30 Ball & Chain
5-6 1Identity

Performance Stage Schedule
 11:15 – 11:30  Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Demo
11:45 – 12:15 Tippi Toes DC
12:30 - 1:00 BalletNova Center for Dance
1:15 – 1:45 Adagio Dance Company
2:15 – 2:45 Saffron Dance Belly Dancers
3:00 - 3:30 Photo Op with the Washington Nationals Presidents

Wilson Hardware 2nd Anniversary

Wilson Hardware is celebrating their second year in Clarendon this Friday, September 6th starting 9pm. The restaurant and night club venue took over the old RìRà space and got its name from the hardware and tools shop originally at that address. Wilson Hardware is known for its great outdoor space in the rear, multiple levels, and creative cocktails. They also host events like the 90's Party coming up on September 21.

Clarendon Jam Session at The Lot

The Lot has turned into Clarendon's hottest venue with a huge 22,000 sq ft outdoor space, food trucks and an adult sandpit with cornhole and other games. This Labor Day weekend The Lot will be even more packed with their Clarendon Jam Session party. The event on Sunday September 1 from will feature lots a great local bands and DJs for a entry ticket cost of $20. But you can save 50% by using the promo code LOTVIP.

Live music provided by:

White Ford Bronco
KleptoRadio
Tommy Gann Trio featuring Matty D and Hammer
DJ Miasma

Open Mic Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

Rhodeside Grill downstairs open mic nights are hosted by Alex The Red Parez every Wednesday, with this August 28th being a special five year anniversary! Alex has been hosting open mic night every Wednesday nights back when IOTA Club and Café was around. There are two signup times at 8:30pm and 10pm, with Alex playing at 10pm. This even is always free and there is no cover!

Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006.  “El Rojo” to his friends, Parez takes inspiration from epic troubadours Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and local balladeer John Bustine amongst various other artists.

Gooners vs Cancer at Irelands Four Courts

This Saturday August 24, Ireland's Four Courts is having a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphona Society. The pub is matching all donations up to $1,000 for the cancer fighting fundraiser Gooners Vs Cancer. Come for the DC United game on the TVs and great raffle prizes!

Goodbye Hunan Number One

Clarendon was sadly hit with another closing notice this week with Hunan Number One declaring their last day open will be Sunday August 11. This sudden announcement caught me by surprise as recently Hunan had bartender, server and delivery job wanted signs on their front window. It will definitely be missed as Hunan was one of the last dive-bar-ish old venues in Clarendon, which is quickly being dominated by high end sports bars and nightclubs.

Hunan was famous for its casual atmosphere and giant low cost 32oz beer mugs, usually $9 with happy hours lasting until 9pm. Hunan also had a minor renovation in 2015 adding arcade, pinball and a pool table to its rear bar.

Come down to Garfield Street this Friday and Saturday night to give Hunan a final sendoff!

Westover Flooding Benefit Concert at Whitlows

The Westover Beer Garden and the other Westover business were heavily damaged in the freak July 8 flooding and Whitlows is hosting Westover Merchants Flash Flood Benefit Concert to help them out. On Sunday August 4 from 5 to 9pm a ton of local musical talents will be on stage. $20 donation at the door and all proceeds going to the gofundme campaign created to benefit the local businesses affected. The money raised will primarily be for Ayers and the Beer Garden and allocated according to need. So far, the donations have reached over $77,000 of their $100,000 goal!

Some of my favorite local bands will be playing Sunday night including:

Jumpin Jupiter
Justin Trawick and the Common Good
EP Jackson and The Last Well
Bobby Thompson
Sean Tracey
The Reserves

The Lot officially opens

The Lot Beer Garden at the edge of Clarendon officially opened this Friday July 12 after years of teasing and will-they-or-won't-they-open speculation. The Lot is a large outdoor beer garden with beer, mixed drinks, food trucks and social games like cornhole and extra large ball toss. It's an amazing and fun venue that is making a perfect addition to Clarendon nightlife.

The owners of The Lot also manage nearby Clarendon hot spots of Pamplona and Bar Bao down the street. They did an excellent job with The Lot as it is a 22,000 square foot open air garden with huge potential. It also includes a sand lot for games which gives the venue a happy summer vibe. So far admission is free and there is no charge for playing the games which are first come, first serve.

A huge amount of people turned out on Friday night, which was no surprise given the perfect warm weather of that day. The Lot actually had a soft opening a week before on July 3rd, but had to close on July 4th due to the scattered showers on this Fourth of July holiday. Looking forward to spending many days and nights spent at The Lot from now on!

Don Zientara and Dougie at Galaxy Hut

Monday night the legendary Don Zientara is playing another show at Clarendon's own Galaxy Hut. The founder of Inner Ear Studios, Don has recorded and produced for DC luminaries such as Fugazi, Minor Threat, Scream, Lungfish and countless others.

Opening up for him is the talented local band Dougie, a four person group staring Nelson A. Cuellar, Mike Larmoyeux, Phil Carluzzo, and Ked Thornton. Check out them playing Angela Ash at Evening Star.

The show starts at 9pm and cover is $5. Facebook invite page here.

Year Of Beers at Arlington Rooftop

This Wednesday June 12 from 6 to 8pm Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill is hosting the free Spring 2019 Year of Beer sampling event. There will be complimentary appetizers, a raffle for an Arlington Rooftop gift card and full pours of the beer will be available for purchase. This is a free event, but you must RSVP, and the event fills up fast! There will be four Virginia breweries providing samples:

O’Connor Brewery: Proper Lager, Cloud-Break

Heavy Seas Brewery: Smooth Sailor, Tropicannon IPA

Blue Mountain Brewery: Hopwork Orange IPA, Kolsch

Pale Fire Brewery: Salad Days, Deadly Rhythm