Changing nightlife scenes in Clarendon

 Here is a quick run down of recent changes to our local bars and stages:

Former Pinemoor window

Mister Days

The most exciting recent news is the owners of previous Mister Days may be taking over the Pinemoor space! This location was originally home to the much missed Clarendon Grill, which along with Whitlows and Mister Days formed the backbone of late night casual Clarendon night life. Now with Pinemoor gone, this large space on Highland Street has been empty for since last summer. It's biggest feature is the hidden outdoor patio in the rear accessible by street. 

Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill

To no one's surprise, the uninspiringly named Rooftop near Courthouse has officially closed according to ARLNow. When this place was more active in the mid 2010's it was known for a slightly older crowd or sometimes a "cougar bar" in the summer. Not sure what will replace it, but it would be just far enough away from the main strip of Clarendon to make it tough to find a reason to go out there.

B Live

B Live is closed for now

I loved B Live when it opened almost 2 years ago in the corner of the old Whitlows space. It had a great combination of live music, zany drinks, and games in a bright neon decor. After opening its sister venue Coco B's next door and on the rooftop, B Live redecorated a year later to focus on a beachy theme with a bigger emphasis on bar games. 

B Live hasn't reopened since Christmas and I'm hoping the owners will take another shot at redecorating or a new theme, as I love this fun live music spot. Coco B's seems to be doing great now, with a full loud brunch crowd on the weekends and a rooftop that will open again soon in Spring.

Pamplona

After 6 years in Clarendon, Pamplona closed last December. It wasn't a surprise as the owners announced it to the public a month ahead of time. The small Spanish restaurant was a huge improvement over the previous SoBe, which was the worst "restaurant" ever in the area. I liked Pamplon and have great memories there from Halloween 2019 when the small space was packed with dancing and costumes. You will be missed Pamplona!

Chicken and Whiskey

Chicken and Whiskey

The owners have "temporarily closed" for the season. Read more about this on ArlNow. I'm not missing the food side of this place as there are better and cheaper Peruvian charcoal rotisserie chicken places like Pollo Rico nearby. I will miss the bar side with it's arcade machines and darts and fun cocktails. This location doesn't get a lot of foot traffic especially after the infamous and much missed Hunan One left.

Iota

An honorable mention on this list is the former space of Iota at Wilson Blvd next to CoCoB's and B Live. Vacated in 2018 and only the facade remains. Inside is still rubble with no plans for a new tenant yet from The Clarendon Crossing group. My heart still hurts for this loss to the local live music scene. 

Bad Santa Bar Crawl at BLive

This Saturday, Dec 16 the Bad Santa Bar Crawl is coming to Clarendon at Blive, Ballroom, Pamplona! Get on your silliest and most festive Santa costumes and ugly sweaters from 3 to 10pm (ticket pickup ends at 5pm at BLive). Tickets are $14 day of, or $19 for a "fast pass". You'll receive your Bad Santa Mug (for the first few hundred crawlers) and wristband. If you can't make it by 6pm, have a friend present your ticket and pick everything up for you.

Drink Specials:

$3 Beer

$4 Grinch Shooters

$5 Mixed Drinks

$8 Miracle Punch

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2023

 

Want to get out of the house on Thanksgiving or don't want to cook yourself? Patch.com has a great list of everything open this Thursday. Here is a run down of places to eat:

• Texas Jack's Barbecue 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Ambar Clarendon 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.
• Buena Vida 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Gyu-Kaku 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Liberty Tavern Noon to 9 p.m.
• Mazaro Italian Restaurant 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Green Pig Bistro 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Lyon Hall 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

For nightlife the night before the big day, check out Twenty Dollar Prophet at O'Sullivans 9:30pm or Clarendon Ballroom's Thanksgiving Eve Bash with DJ Phlipz and Will Gralley.

Ballroom on the Block street festival

Clarendon Ballroom is throwing their first ever street party on September 23 which will feature live DJs, beer garden, outdoor grill, and games. Ballroom will be taking over N. Irving Street between O'Sullivan's and Liberty Tavern from 2pm to 10pm that Saturday and then for an after party on all of Ballroom's levels and rooftop continues until 2am. Tickets are $10 now and go up to $30 the week of the event. 

What to expect:

• Epic Outdoor Mainstage Production
• Local electronic DJs all day including 
• Outdoor Beer Garden
• Food Stands
• Outdoor grill and BBQ
• Multiple Bars
• Kandi Making Station
• Carnival treats
• Games including cornhole, water pong, giant jenga, ring toss
• Local Vendors
• Outdoor Lounges
• Giveaways

Lyon Hall double Restaurant Week

Lyon Hall is extending their restaurant week again this year for two consecutive weeks from January 16 through the 29th. They continue to offer their full menu for restaurant week instead of just having a limited menu that most places offer. Make reservations by Open Table or call them at 703-741-7636.

Dinner: $40 

Lunch: $25 (Fridays Only)

Justin Trawick's giant birthday show at Pearl Street Warehouse

 Amazing show at Pearl Street Warehouse for Justin Lawrence Trawick 's birthday with the Common Good, Kentucky Avenue, GriefCat, Courtney King and many other musicians! This was Justin's 12th Annual 29th Birthday Show and was the biggest one yet with a full house at the Wharf DC venue. I especially loved the four comedic songs by GriefCat which had the crowd roaring at "Sexy Sea Shanty" and "Cryptobro."

You can view a live recording of Justin and The Common Good performing Back of the Line at Pearl Street on Youtube. 

Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2022

 

The annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest is back on Saturday September 10! From 1 to 7pm this free festival will feature four musical acts: Cimafunk, Mwenso and The Shakes, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and Groove Orchestra. Drop by Rosslyn at Gateway Park for an afternoon of music, food trucks, yard games, community table experiences, and tons of fun in partnership with Arlington Arts.

Renegade Writers' Round

This Tuesday July 17 starting 8pm the Independent Venue Week continues at The Renegade! Three local musicians take turns showcasing their original songs while also giving talking about the creative process behind their art. Following the featured artists is an open mic night with names drawn on the spot. 

Don't miss this night with Justina Beth-El, Nate Holt and Jon Tyler Wiley!

B Live replaces Whitlows with more live music

This Thursday May 12 an exciting new venue is opening in Clarendon called B Live! The owners of The Lot and Clarendon Pop-Up Bar are bringing back more live music options to the former Whitlow's space. The interior is reimagined in colorful bulb lights with diner-like black and white tile floors, which is a complete departure from Whitlow's previous casual Irish bar atmosphere. A welcome addition is the remodeled stage which promises to host live bands five nights a week. After last weekend's soft opening, owners Mike and Bramson will have Bryen O'Boyle as the headlining musician. 

Read more details about B Live at ARLNow and Eater DC.

Music by the Metro

 

The Clarendon Alliance is bringing back free concerts with Music by the Metro starting tonight, April 20. Every Wednesday night starting 5:30pm until May 11 there will be a different musician at Clarendon Metro.

April 20 - Bobby Thompson

April 27 - JoGo Project

May 4 - Phil Kominski & The Breakaways

May 11 - NKULA