Clarendon Day 2026

Clarendon Day returns this Saturday September 26 from 10 from 11am to 6pm, rain or shine. This family friendly neighborhood party will have lots of food options, local business tents, and live music. 

Main stage lineup:

11 AM – Captain Seawalker @yachtrockpartyevents
1 PM – The Fuss @thefussdc
3 PM – Inspira Dance @inspiradanceinc
4 PM – Legal in the District @legalindcband

Goodbye Bobby Lee and Mister Days

Mister days on a popular night in April 2025

It's so sad to hear that DC area entrepreneur and business owner Bobby Lee, owner of the famous Mister Days, passed away this past weekend. Bobby was often present at Mister Days in Clarendon recently even though he was retired and was always very friendly and talkative when I visited. 

Mister Days is also closing according to his daughter Tiffany Lee as reported by ArlNow. This is also a tragic loss for Clarendon, as Mister Days was one of my favorite late night spots in the neighborhood and has a long history as a Clarendon nightlife staple. They have always had super friendly staff, a casual environment, and their food was surprisingly amazing (I will miss their cheeseburgers and BBQ burgers!) for a sports bar. 

While Mister Days closing isn't shocking, as they have been open less and less this past year and sometimes was open but mostly empty. Their last Rally In The Alley was sparsely attended, which was a huge contrast to the massive crowds that would come to that party in the 1980s. I was really hoping things would turn around for this local favorite and it would once again become the hotspot of Clarendon nightlife it once was in the early 2000s. 

Goodbye Mister Days! 

Clarendon Ballroom Summer Jam Session

On Saturday July 25 Clarendon Ballroom is hosting an outdoor live music festival from 2pm-9:30pm. The Summer Jam Session features several DJs, discounted beers early in the day, and two live bands. Admission is free or you can choose to upgrade to a $11 VIP pass for guaranteed rooftop entry. The festival kicks off with a Kick the Keg. From 2-3 PM, enjoy $2.50 featured beers until the first two kegs run dry. 

 🎧 3 PM–5 PM: DJ Set (artist TBA) 

🎸 5 PM–6:30 PM: @jacksonperkins band 

🎶 6:30 PM–7:30 PM: @djdconte 

🎤 7:30 PM–9:30 PM: @lightsoutby8band 

 VIP includes: 

Guaranteed entry 

Fast Pass check-in 

Welcome shooter 

Exclusive event party favors 

VIP viewing area 

Early access to the after-party

Mister Days Rally in the Alley

Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe is bringing back its beloved fundraiser event Rally in the Alley and shutting down part of 11th Street to welcome thousands for some barbecue and dancing March 28, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Smokecraft Modern Barbecue will bring the meat, a DJ will spin tunes and guests can access the fun for $10. That money will go to Mister Days’ Reach Out Foundation, which supports Arlingtonians in need. Bobby Lee, founder of the rally, says he expects about 2,000-3,000 party-goers this year.

Northside Social Local Art Show

 

Fun night at Northside Social this Friday night with their reoccurring Local Art Show from 6-9pm. Their sitting area downstairs was filled with a live painting experience where you can watch and talk to an artist doing a painting, live music, and many vendors selling bags, artwork, mugs, and stuffed animals. The next one is Sept 5 2025 6-9pm.

Check out photos of the evening on my Clarendonnights Instagram, where I'm much more active.

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

Standup Comedy for Ukraine at O'Sullivans

 

Clarendon's Irish pub O'Sullivan's is continuing their weekly standup comedy series every Thursday with a Make Jokes, Not War! event to benefit Ukrainian refugees. The 7:30pm comedy show is $15 and 50% of all sales will go to help "mobilize resources and partners to assist those who are vulnerable and displaced." in Ukraine. Hosted by Jon Yeager, the night has three teams (DC, MD, VA) go head- to head- to head in a battle for local comedy supremacy. A special guest closes out the show while the hosts tabulate the votes.

Bands and Brews on the Boulevard

 Outdoor music festivals are back for Ballston this Saturday July 24 with the Bands and Brews on the Boulevard! The event is free to attend but you will need to buy tickets for the beer, wine and cocktails. You can also donate to the Ballston Bartender Relief Fund. All day music is provided at two stages:

Wilson boulevard stage

DJ Touch Basis | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Andrew Savoia and Fordson Labs | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Turtle Recall | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Junkfood | 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm

Popstar Drive | 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm

Aztec Sun | 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm

Bobby McKeys dueling pianos | 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm

Welburn square stage

Avant Bard Theatre | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Lucia Valentine | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Ballston Cars and Coffee

Start off this Saturday July 24 morning with Ballston's Cars And Coffee event from 8am to 11am. It's a car show in the 3901 Fairfax Drive parking lot with free doughnuts, coffee and live music by Memphis Gold, Bobby Thompson & Jenny Langer, and Karen Jonas. Stick around Ballston afterwards for the Bands and Brews on the Boulevard outdoor music event!

Ballston Quarterfest Crawl

This year the annual Ballston Quarterfest, formally the Taste of Arlington, is back on Saturday May 15 with an emphasis on being safe and socially distant in this outdoor event. Besides food and drink specials from local restaurants, events include a scavenger hunt, live music, and giant-sized games. This dog friendly event goes from noon to 7pm throughout Ballston from Glebe to North Quincy Street. This event also benefits BallstonGives for the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.

Live music includes:
DJ Purnell - 12:00
Karen Joanas - 12:00
Leon City Sounds - 12:00
The Jared Stout Duo - 1:00
Bobby Thompson and Jenny Langer - 1:00
Avant Bard Theatre - 2:00
David Kitchen Duo - 2:00
Gracious Me Duo - 3:00
Janine Wilson and Arch Alcantara - 4:00
Memphis Gold - 4:00
Claire Show - 5:00
Andrew Savoia and Fordson Labs - 5:00
Ruthie and the Wranglers Porch Band - 6:00

Ambar and TTT discount on takeout

Ambar and TTT locations are having a take out special starting today Dec 1 through Dec 13. Ambar at Home and TTTake out are giving you immediate cash back on your take out orders made via their website. For Ambar, they give a 20% discount on every $60 order. TTT is a 20% discount on each $50 order.

Ambar may be my favorite dine-in restaurant in Clarendon, so their gift cards are a great way to support them until its safe to dine inside attain. Ambar is offering an additional $25 on a $100 gift card purchase. Buy before Dec 31!