O'Sullivan's expands with new whiskey bar

O'Sullivan's now wraps around the block of
Washington Blvd and Irving Street

O'Sullivan's opened its doors to nearly renovated interiorsunofficially last night. The unadvertised soft opening showed off the popular Irish restaurant's two new rooms, an additional bar focusing on whiskey and an improved band area. Thanks to Clarendon Scene for the timely tip.

I spoke to General Manager Patrick who was very friendly and enthusastic not to lose the feeling and authenticity of the original O'Sullivans in the expansion. 

The Irish pub has a very different feel than its neighbors Spider Kelly's and Ballroom, as its lower ceilings and darker interior leads more to a cozier and less cluby environment.  Patrick also is focusing on traditional Irish music being played regularly, and I spoke to Arlington local Robert who will be making appearances on stage with Celtic songs.

 

The small middle room features a fireplace
where Fragrance World used to be.



The second bar with its separate entrance on Iriving street is also of significance to Patrick. This bar will focus more on whiskey drinks, with over a hundred types of whiskey and several beers on tap available.

I'm very excited for this improvement on one of Clarendon's favorite venues, and can't wait to attend their St Patrick's Day festivities in the new spaces. For more pictures, check out ArlNow.com's writeup on O'Sullivan's expansion.

Northside Social Wine Bar happy hour

Their patio was open during this unusually
warm Janurary night

 Clarendon's best coffee shop Northside Social has redesigned its upstairs wine bar and is offering a new happy hour there. From 5-7pm Monday through Saturday, they have selected 5 of their wines to be available at $5 each.

Wine bar manager and Arlington local Charlotte explained how Northside Social's upstairs bar acts like a separate venue than the familiar downstairs coffee lounge. She has changed the decor and menu to give it a more intimate and comfortable feel, better suited to enjoyed wine, cheese and conversations.


The upstairs wine bar at Northside Social with
wrap around wood couter tops has a warm feel

Charlotte says they are trying an experiment of imposing a no-laptop rule in the wine bar after 5pm to make it more of an escape from work. She also chooses artwork to display on the walls from local artists and photographers and rotates them every few months.

The first floor coffee bar at Northside also servers wine, but it is a completely different menu than the upstairs wine bar. Patrons are also free to bring their wine outside to the Wilson Street patio when the weather is friendly.

1K Beer Walk in Crystal City

Harpoon beer at the first Beer Walk in 2012
(they used left over wine glasses from
the wine walk the weekend before)

This weekend Crystal City mall is hosting the second annual 1k Beer Walk. The race themed beer tasting is Saturday January 26th and Sunday January 27th, 2013. The entire race in indoors, so you can use this as an excuse to escape the cold and show.

Tickets cost $35 for Sat and $30 on Sunday. Sample 20 of the close to 50 beers they will be pouring and end at a giant dance party. Pick a heat every half an hour from 1 to 5pm, but sign up soon as time slots are selling out.

DC Limo Scavenger Hunt on Feb 9

The 7th annual Lindy 500, a DC Limo Scavenger Hunt, will take place on Saturday February 9 from 2-9:30pm. The event includes pre and post parties, a 3-hour scavenger hunt throughout the District in a stretch limo with hundreds of items to find, puzzles to solve, and landmarks to visit. Also enjoy discounted drink specials all day long at various 'bar stops' and the chance to win prizes.

The cost is $625 per team, with ten people maximum and you must register before Feb 1 Thursday Feb 7. For more info, check out their Facebook page or register here. Use the promo code ARL_NIGHTS for $25 off your tickets!

Children's Tumor Fundraiser at PJ Skidoos Friday

The Sprint of Shame Team will be stripping to our skivvies and running around in the frigid temps, all in an effort to raise funds for Children's Tumor Foundation at the Cupid's Undie Run in February.

But before that happens, please join us at PJ Skidoos on Friday, January 25th from 9:30pm to 2am and buy some drinks to support this worthy cause. $5 cover charge grants you a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes such as VIP tickets to a Wizards Game, Great American Restaurant Gift Card, The WORX by Maia Bootcamp Sessions, EndlessMinds Photography or Videography Session, The Fairmont Hotel DC Afternoon Tea Gift Certificate, Gift Baskets and many more. They will be raffling off prizes every 20 minutes. Additional raffle tickets will be available for sale. 

If you can't make it out to Fairfax, you can donate directly here.

Willams-Sonoma free technique classes

Every Sunday Williams-Sonoma in Clarendon offers free cooking technique classes. The workshop starts at 2pm and seats about 14 people, and walk ins are welcome. Participants enjoy 10% savings on select same-day store purchases.

This Sunday's class will be cancelled, but the next class on Sun Jan 20 is vegetation cooking described as:

If you want to add more vegetables to your daily meals, this is the class for you. We'll show you how to make some tasty vegetarian dishes that the whole family will love. You'll also learn to season foods and enhance the flavor without using salt.

Safety Third at Iota Saturday

Safety Third previously at Iota
Photo via arlington-va.patch.com

Today's early show at Iota features a youthful local band that is not to be missed. Safety Third is comprised of local high school students who have been playing together for four years, and were recently featured at Clarendon Day and Iota. The 3pm show today, Jan 12 will also feature Red Light Distraction and The Oddities for a $10 cover.

The rock band started out when "lead singer Michael James said the group had a friend whose father played with Jefferson Airplane. They got to watch him warm up for a show, and the idea was born," according to the Patch.

More info at Arlington Patch.

The Highballers at Iota this Saturday

The Highballers are returning to Iota for their album release party this Saturday Jan 12. The Americana and alt country band will play songs from their new release "Soft Music and Hard Liquor" along with Lynn Taylor (alt country on tour from Nashville) and Jumpin' Jupiter (Falls Church/rockabilly). The show starts at 9pm and cover is $10.

Karaoke tonight at RiRa

Live band karaoke tonight, Jan 10 at Rì Rà! Fun starts at 10pm. $3.50 Guinness black courtesy of their lovely Guinness girls.

Liquid A at Clarendon Grill Friday

Liquid A is returning to Clarendon Grill this Friday, January 11. They are a great cover band who recently played at the Clarendon Ballroom on New Year's Eve. Last time they frequented the Grill they put on a great show.

Happy Hour for Sandy Hook at SoBe

Virginia Tech alumni are holding another happy hour to benefit the Sandy Hook Support Fund Wed Jan 9. This time Sobe will be hosting the event, which includes a $10 donation for $2.50 beers and $3.50 drinks. DJ Antonio Ernest will be in attendance providing entertainent. I'm hoping this event will be as sucessful as their first one in Decemeber at Whitlows.

Thanks to ArlNow for the heads up.

Melodime free show tonight at Iota

Photo via Melodime.com

Come by Iota tonight to catch roots/rock band Melodime play a free show. Starting at 8:30pm, the local band kicks off their new album campaign party. In the past, the three piece band has played at Clarendon Day and opened for one of my favorite local groups Juniper Lane. It's not often you get a free show on Saturday night at Iota!

NYE Legwarmers at State Theatre

Legwarmers on their first act

This New Years Eve I ventured into Falls Church to see the popular local 80s cover band Legwarmers perform to a large and brightly colored crowd. The State Theatre hosted the seven member band, which plays at this venue almost regularly.

More than half the crowd was dressed in over the top and fun 80s influenced fashions, including several Marty McFly and Top Gun impersonaters. My favorite was the super pink Jem (from the 80s cartoon Jem and the Holograms) singing along in the front.



It was a packed house in Falls Church

The Legwarmers played two acts separated by an intermission that left us all exhausted from dancing so much. Catching a cab home was almost impossible from Falls Church, so I ended up paying the surge pricing and calling in a Uber cab. But to soften the blow of waiting in the cold for a taxi, Captain Cookie food truck was parked next to State handing out free cookies!

Happy New Year 2013!



Revenge of the Nerds was on the screen
before the band took the stage