No Cover for New Years Eve in Clarendon

Don't have any plans for New Years Eve! Clarendon is very welcoming to last minute party goers with several places that don't charge a cover or sell tickets to get in. No reservations are needed at:

The Renegade
3100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
The new Mister Days maintains everything you liked about the classic previous bar and has a casual night with a DJ, dance floor and drink specials.

Spider Kelly's
3181 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
DJ Styles is playing here with plenty of room to spread out and mingle with the two bars and three rooms open.

G.O.A.T.
3028 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
If you didn't get into Don Tito, The GOAT is another great venue for a similar experience. Expect it to be packed but the two story sports bar has room to move around.

Galaxy Hut
2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Clarendon's last true dive promises no drama and no silliness on NYE, just a fun time in a quirky tiny bar with a Vegan friendly menu.

Punch Bowl Social
4238 Wilson Blvd Ste. 1180, Arlington, VA 22203
Located in Ballston Quarter, the popular bar games venue is hosting a space themed New Years Eve party.

Holiday Bingo at Whitlow's

Join DC Fray at Whitlow's for a free bar bingo weekly in Clarendon. Starting at 6pm every Sunday from Dec 8, Dec 15, Jan 12 and Jan 19. Drink specials include $4 Miller High Life Drafts and $6 Truly Hard Seltzer 16 oz. Visit dcfray.com/bingo for more nights, locations, and info.

JMU Watch Party at Spider Kelly's

Spider Kelly's is throwing a JMU playoff watch party on Saturday Dec 7 starting at noon, with the football game at 1pm. Hosted by the JMU MetroDukes and JMU Alumni Association.

Ugly Sweater Party at Wilson Hardware

Wilson Hardware invites you to dress to impress in your holiday worst! On Friday December 6 from 9pm onward is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party and donation collection. In true holiday spirit, please bring donations such as canned foods, new toys and otherwise so they can help those less fortunate.

Toys For Tots at GOAT

On Thursday December 5 the GOAT is hosting a ToysForTots collection from 6 to 9pm. If you bring a toy to donate you get in for free. Bring 5 toys and get a free raffle ticket. GOAT is offering food and drink specials, a gift raffle and a photobooth.

Halloween in Clarendon

There are always tons of events happening in Clarendon for the greatest holiday of the year, and below is a list of some of those Halloween themed events.

Friday Oct 25

Clarendon Ballroom host the annual notorious Elliot In The Morning costume contest with doors opening at 7pm and a $10/$15 cover. This tends to be the largest Halloween party in Clarendon with a $3,000 costume grand prize judged by the audience.

Pamplona Sinister Series combines watch parties for games 3 and 4 of the World Series with Halloween costume parties. No cover and $250 gift card for best costume Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday Oct 26

Clarendon Ballroom w/ DJ Lil Fos costume contest $5 cover

Haunted Grave Yard Party at The Lot has no cover if you RSVP here. They went all out decorating their large outdoor space and will have a costume contest, photo stations, fog machines and food trucks.

Haunted Hardware at Wilson Hardware also offers a prize for best costume.

Tuesday Oct 29

K-9 costume party at Wilson Hardware from 6 to 8pm on their patio.

Thursday Oct 31

The Renegade Grand Opening

The Renegade is throwing their grand opening party this Thursday October 22 where Mister Days previously existed. With strong Clarendon roots such as chef Patrick Crump formally of Clarendon Gill, this new bar and coffee shop is hoping to fill in the void of local live music left when Iota closed.

Thursday night features a full lineup of live music, starting with Kara & Matty D at 5pm followed by Bryen O'Boyle at 7. To top the night off the awesome Lauralee & Tripp Fabulous goes on at 10pm with no cover all night!

Rossyln Cider Fest

This Thursday October 17 from 4-8pm the Rosslyn BID is throwing a Cider Fest at Gateway Park. Several cideries set up shop in Gateway Park so you can sample their products for $15. You can also visit the outdoor bar to purchase beer, wine and full-sized cider bottles as you sit by the fire pit. At 6pm there will be a pie eating contest. Justin Trawick will be providing live music as well!

Open Mic Second Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

This Wednesday October 16 Alex The Red Parez is celebrating two years of hosting open mic nights in the Rhodeside Grill basement stage! Alex will be performing at 10pm at this free, no cover event. Two open mic signups at 7:30pm and 10pm. All ages until 10pm then 21+ after.

"Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006. Whether performing original music or classic material, Alex’s voice is “reminiscent of Johnny Cash, though often sung with Jello Biafra’s inflection” (Matthew Stabley, NBCWashington.com)

“Sounds like Nick Cave reinterpreting the early songbook of Bill Callahan” (The Big Easy - MetroMusicScence.com).

“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. In trio mode, Alex is flanked by accomplished harmonica sideman Terry Boes and prolific bassist Derek Evry who is also a fantastic songwriter, singer, guitarist and band leader. Alex has also performed with several other local musicians for various tribute shows.

White Ford Bronco at Ballston Street Bash

This Thursday Oct 3 from 3 to 8pm the Ballston Bid is throwing the Ballston Street Bash neighborhood party at 901 North Taylor Street. This free event includes the Ballston FreshFarm Mega Market, VIDA Fitness beer and wine garden, White Ford Bronco and Jumpin' Jupiter. Admission and music is free and drink tickets are $5

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

For The Win at Whitlows

Local cover band For The Win DC plays at Whitlow's this Friday, May 24. Show starts at 10pm and there is no cover at the door. This popular party band has played wide variety of Top 40, Pop, Rock and HipHop in Clarendon many times since 2014. For The Win is composed of singers Ryan Angelo and Cat Stratakis, backed by Matt Greene on guitar, John Daise on bass and Bill Ledbetter playing drums. Rounding out the group is Joe Maier on keyboard.

Portfolio In Motion at Marymount

This weekend is the 30th annual major fashion show Portfolio In Motion at Marymount University. The three day even starts Thursday with a fashion show starting at 6:30pm and snoozing cocktail reception. The fashion show repeats Friday and Saturday night at 8pm.

Tickets are $20 at the door or online. $5 of each ticket purchased will benefit the Marymount Fashion Department.

This year MU honors Lazaro Perez as their 2019 Designer of the Year. Portfolio in Motion is produced entirely by students. Over the course of the spring semester, while Fashion Design students are busy producing their lines, Fashion Merchandising students are planning out the details of the show. Every aspect, including student model selection, fashion design, choreography, stage and set design, commentary, ticket sales, and backstage management are all coordinated by students.

Redskins Draft Party at GOAT

GOAT is hosting a Redskins Draft Day Party this Thursday, April 25. From 6:30 to 10pm, they will have an extended happy hour and raffle prizes. $10 at the door.

Marymount Alumni Happy Hour at Wilson Hardware

Marymount University is throwing another party in Clarendon for its alumni this Thursday. The Arlington Saint Social will be on April 25th at Wilson Hardware from 6:00-8:30pm. Your $10 per person includes hors d'oeuvres and a full bar. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Marymount University's Scholarship Fund.

5x5 Showcase at Galaxy Hut

The 5x5 Songwriter Showcase presents the first of five live events which will be recording both audio and video for streaming/televised broadcast. This kick-off event will feature the hosts and producers of The 5x5, Daniel Warren Hill, Eli Lev, Ginny Hill, Gabrielle Zwi, and Justin Shapiro. These artists will host the next set of The 5x5 events featuring an entirely different and unique set of songwriters throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

The debut show on Sunday April 14 features performances by 5 founding members:
YellowTieGuy
Ginny Hill Project
Gabrielle Zwi Music
Justin Shapiro Music
Eli Lev

Doors at 8pm. Tickets $5 at the door.

Goodbye Mister Days

It 's a sad day to learn that the wonderfully down to earth sports bar Mister Days will be closing for good on Friday, April 12. It was shocking to read ArlNow break the news on the classic nightlife staple deciding to close after 18 years in Clarendon. Mister Days as a brand is actually 41 years old dating back to when it was started in DC as a happy hour spot.

Mister Days moved to Highland Street in 2001 just before Clarendon turned into the bustling nightlife spot it is now, attracting a young crowd to its multi-floor bar, infamous dance floor and many TV screens. Mister Days continued to be popular spot with poker, trivia, cornhole, DJs, game days, and VA Tech alumni.

The owner Robert E. Lee, whose grand mother actually has a building named after her down the street at Marymount University's Rose Bette Lee Center, decided to close up the bar and sell to another local Patrick Crump. Crump hopes to rekindle the glory days of Mister Days with a new restaurant "The Grill on Highland". The aptly named bar may take elements from the also closed next door former venue Clarendon Grill. With both Mister Days and the Grill closed up, the next few days will see a much quieter Highland Street at night between Lyon Hall and GOAT.

St Paddy's Day 2019

The 2019 St Patrick's Day celebrations are sure to be epic with the holiday falling on a weekend of decent end-of-winter weather and plenty of events!

Don Tito and PubCrawls.com are throwing a St Paddy's Pub Crawl on Saturday March 16, 1-7pm. $16 tickets gets you wristbands and a map to participating bars.

Celtic House on Columbia Pike is having four days of celebrations starting Thursday with dinner specials, live music and Irish dancers.

Sister restaurants Pamplona and Bar Bao are having a joint outdoor party on their patio Saturday 3-9pm (free).

What might be the best Irish bar around, O'Sullivan's in Clarendon has a great live music lineuo with Maggie Shot Burns, Down Wilson, 7 Deadlies and Irish Dancers.

ARLnow.com has a full list of everything going on this St Paddy's day weekend in Clarendon.

If you want to expand your celebrations into the city, DCist has a good list of DC events.

LUNAFEST at Cinema Drafthouse

This Thursday, March 14 Arlington Cinema Drafthouse is hosting the LUNAFEST which showcases incredible short films by talented women directors from all over the world. Since 2007, PSVa has hosted this film festival of short films by, for and about women. Discover the ground-breaking women from prior seasons, along with the ones who are changing the industry with this year’s lineup.

Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 7:30pm.  Prior to the screening, a Live Raffle will be held to benefit local nonprofit Postpartum Support Virginia and maternal mental health awareness.

Drag Bingo at Board Room

Starting this Monday, March 4 Crystal Edge and Katrina Colby every 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month for Drag Bingo at The Board Room in Clarendon.

Balls starting rolling at 9pm with games, performances, and prizes until 11pm. Come win free drinks, free shots, free food, gift cards, and other great prizes.

Boardroom offers $5 local beers, several rotating taps, huge wine list, great food, specialty cocktails, and all night drink specials. Just $5 to play! Make a reservation on Eventbrite but walk-ins are also always welcome.

Sunday Funday at GOAT

Despite A-Town being closed and under renovation into a new venue, Arlington's infamous Sunday Funday parties continue at the GOAT. Located directly in the heart of Clarendon, another Scott Parker property is hosting weekly Sunday parties starting at 2pm with drink specials and many DJs.

Drink Specials
- $20 Jumbo Champagne
- $20 Liquor Pitchers
- $30 Liquor Pitcher with Red Bull
- $5 Flavored Bombs
- $3 Draft Miller Lite
- $20 Rosé

Featured DJ's
- DJ Saam
- DJ Rise
- DJ Philpz
- DJ EPX
- DJ Heat
- DJ Vicious
- DJ SayLess

Don Zientara and Joshua Palace at Galaxy Hut

Don Zientara is a legend and a true hero of Washington DC. The founder of Inner Ear Studios, Don has recorded and produced for DC luminaries such as Fugazi, Minor Threat, Scream, Lungfish and countless others.

Joshua Palace is a singer-songwriter from the outskirts of DC in the vein of William Basinski, Brian Eno, Belong and My Bloody Valentine, fused with the soul of 70s rock and 80s post wave. Palace aims to challenge and uplift the soul through songs of isolation and hope. Having released his first full-length debut in 2018, Palace is now currently recording a new album with producer Don Zientara at Inner Ear.

Justin Trawick at DC9

Local musician Justin Trawick is performing a show at the DC9 in Washington, DC on Wed Feb 13. Justin has been an extremely busy and prolific musician, touring with his own music, his band The Common Good and founding The 9 Songwriter Series. He also is co-founder of “The Circus Life Podcast" with guests such as Kevin Eubanks, Chris Thomas King, Ernie Halter, Yarn, and Snuffy Walden.

This Wednesday will be a special night of music as Justin Trawick will be giving us a solo performance with Louisa Hall opening up the night for him. Music starts at 8pm. $12 in advance or at the door.

Furlough Fridays at Board Room

The Board Room in Clarendon is supporting those who are off work due to the government shutdown by opening at noon on Friday and having specials until 4pm. 25% off all food, $8 taster flights, $12 pint flights and free game rentals.

The DCist has a solid list of music and food venues nearby that are offering discounts to federal employees during the furlough.