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! 

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.

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!

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.

NYE Back in Time at Mister Days

Turtle Recall is performing live at Mister Days for this New Years Eve on Monday, Dec 31. The DC pop/folk/rock band play mashups of top 40, rock, oldies and country frequenting in the DC and Baltimore area.

Mister Days just finished celebrating their 40th anniversary and are looking to throw a huge New Years Eve party with 20 big screen TV's showing NYC's Time Square Countdown. Tickets are $35 (goes up to $40) and includes a drink ticket, midnight champagne toast and party favors.

Arlington Cornhole Late Summer League

Arlington Cornhole is having their league playoffs at Mister Days starting 7pm this Tuesday, July 17. ACH started two years ago with a group of friends and has grown into a league of 80 people. Their seasons are 8 weeks long and played at local Clarendon bars, with proceeds being donated to charity. They have raised over $6,000 for charities including the Wounded Warrior Project, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Baldrick's Foundation, The Carpenter's Shelter, Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, The Lyon Village Community House, The Arlington Housing Corporation, The Hurricane Maria Relief Fund, and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.

If you want to join the fun, Arlington Cornhole's late summer registration is now open. Their season will run from August 7th through September 25th and will be played at Mister Day's and Whitlows. Food and drink specials are available along with all registration money going towards the winning team's charity of choice. $40 to enter and you get a t-shirt.

Mister Days Music Bingo

Mister Days is hosting Music Bingo this Friday February 16. It’s bingo with a twist as we test your music knowledge, as you have to figure the song in 30 seconds and then match that to your bingo card. Get 5 in a row in any direction to win the game. There are prizes after every round which last 15 minutes. Enjoy our Happy Hour from 4-9pm with half priced beer, wine and rail drinks. Ask about specials on Tito’s Vodka and our $6 food menu.

Mister Days Customer Appreciation Holidy Party

From 5-8pm on Wednesday December 19, Mister Days is throwing their annual Customer Appreciation Holiday Party. They will be having holly jolly holiday specials, a DJ playing your favorite festive tracks, and more.

Mister Days celebrates 40 years

It's hard to believe a long time favorite Clarendon bar Mister Days will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year! Starting Monday November 13, Mister Days will be having a week long birthday celebration with "blast form the past" drink specials, giveaways and plenty of nostalgia.

For the first 24 years, Mister Days resided in Washington DC starting out in Dupont circle and moving locations several times. In 2001 the DC locations closed but its spirit lived on across the river to its current home at Highland Street and Washington Blvd.

Arlington Shamrock Crawl

Clarendon is set to be a crazy green mess on Saturday March 21 with the annual Shamrock Crawl! Between 2-5:30pm and get ready to rave at some of Clarendon’s most popular bars including: Spider Kelly’s, Hunan One, Mister Days, American Tap Room, Mad Rose, Whitlow’s, Hard Times Cafe, SoBe, Iota, and the brand new Don Tito.

Irish drink specials:

•  $2 Yuengling Lagers & Light Lagers     
• $3 Smirnoff Vodka     
• $3 Captain Morgan White Rum     
• $4 Shamrock Shots     
• $5 Irish Car Bombs

Tickets cost $15 for early bird prices go up to $20 on March 3 at midnight. $30 at the door.

Super Bowl XLIX in Clarendon

Almost all the local bars are having specials for the upcoming Super Bowl this Sunday, February 1. Here are a few of those:

Guarapo has an extended happy hour and $1 wings.

Bracket Room should be popular and has prizes and giveaways during the game.

Mexicali Blues has beer specials with $2 12oz cans, $3 16oz cans and $10 48oz pitchers.

First Down is taking pre-orders for carryout of their famous wings.

Grateful Red is offering a free wine and Super Bowl snacks pairing party on Saturday from 1-4pm

Mister Days is selling tickets for $25 for their party that includes an All You Can Eat Tailgate menu 3-6pm and prizes.

Hunan Number One offers $5 all you can eat buffet along with their usual awesome huge mug happy hour special.

Wiz Wednesday At Mister Days

This Wednesday January 14 the Wizards take on the Chicago Bulls and a die hard group of local fans are meeting up at Mister Days to watch the game. The Wiz Happy Hour starts at 8pm, with Mister Days hosting an extended happy hour until 9pm. Drink specials range from $2 Bud Lights to other select beers for $3/$4 along with some $3 food options. RSVP on their Facebook invite page here.

Cinco De Mega-Crawl Saturday

Brace yourself for another large bar crawl in Clarendon this Saturday, May 3 filled with drunkenness and sombreros starting at 3pm. GoCityEvents, the organizers of Shamrock Fest, is throwing a Cinco de Mayo bar crawl with about 10 local bars including Clarendon Grill, Velocity 5, Mad Rose Tavern, Greene Turtle, Hunan One, Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, Mister Days, Wilson Tavern, and Hard Times. Tickets are about $18, but you can get them for $5 with promo code "CINCO" now. They are also offering a great deal with the super convenient car service Uber with a $40 credit for your first ride, also with promo code "CINCO".

Ragegiving at Mister Days

More pre-Thanksgiving parties are popping up in Clarendon, the latest being Mister Days' Ragegiving this Wednesday, November 27. Music is provided by DJ Qwerty and MixMasterRod with accompanying videos and visuals on the TVs and projector. Drink specials will include $3 select beer bottles.

Christmas Bar Crawl for Cystic Fibrosis Dec 14

Yes, it may be a little early to get into the Christmas spirit, but it's important to keep your December 14th weekend open for OnTap's Holiday Crawl for Charity. This holiday themed bar crawl hits eight great Clarendon bars and raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets are only $10 and gives you access on Saturday Dec 14 from 3-9pm to specials and prizes at Clarendon Grill, Mad Rose, Mister Days, Mexicali Blues, Hunan Number One, Bracket Room and Sobe. Dress up in your finest holiday costumes and prizes will be awarded for the most creative costume, dynamic duo, and best dressed group.