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

Drive in movie night at Ballston

BallstonConnect Club is doing a retro drive-in movie night showcasing "The Princess Bride" this Saturday, June 13 8pm. You can place orders for &pizza before the movie begins. Drive into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Ballston and safely watch the 1987 classic from your own car. Cost is $40 per vehicle.

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

ATown Last Sunday Funday Onesie Party

Photo credit Anna Fowler @anna_fowler87

This Sunday Dec 30 will be the last Sunday Funday party that Ballston's A-Town is famous, or infamous depending on your option, for on a weekly basis since 2012. Like all the previous weekend parties, this last Sunday will include brunch buffet, a packed dance floor, lots of shots and bottle service, and plenty of antics and even some party goers arriving in onesies.

While A-Town will say goodbye to Arlington nightlife when its lease ends Jan 1, 2019, its owners are not leaving the scene. Unlike other recent sad closings of Clarendon venues, Scott Parker and the other owners are closing A-Town on their own terms and are planning a renovation with a new concept and new lease. We are all looking forward to what they will bring to Ballston, as Parker has been successful with venues like Don Tito, GOAT and Barley Mac recently.

You will have one last chance to say goodbye to A-Town as they host their 7th annual New Year's Eve party. Tickets are available here that include drink tickets, table service, champagne and more.

Taste of Arlington

Taste of Arlington is even bigger in 2018! Taking place in Ballston on Sunday May 20, this huge family and pet friendly street festival allows residents to purchase tickets to trade for samples of local food, beer or wine.  Entrance to the festival is free this year and opens at noon, with live music playing all day rain or shine on two concert stages:

Mix 107.3 soundstage presented by Clark Construction near North Quincy and Wilson Blvd:
Noon to 1pm - Broke Royals
1:30-2:15pm - Jumpin' Jupiter
2:45-3:30pm - Turtle Recall
4:00-4:45pm - Darby Brothers
5:00-6:00pm - White Ford Bronco

Ballston Point soundstage near the BarkPark and KidZone:
Noon-12:30pm - Brad Doggett
1-2:15pm - Lost Growlers
2:45-4pm - Lucy's Letdown
4:30-6pm - Most Savage Gentlemen

VIP Lounge music:
1-1:30, 2:15-2:45, 3:30-4pm - Brad Doggett

Goodbye Carpool

Carpool is already surrounded with many
high rise apartments in Ballston.

Beloved local bar Carpool in Ballston is set to close its doors and garage bays for the last time this Monday, April 3. Sadly the longtime favorite casual sports bar will be torn down for a 22 story apartment building later this year.

Carpool has occupied a special place in the Arlington night life scene for years as its cheap prices, what-you-expected-from-a-dive bar food, pool and dart games, and a great open area on the patio that connects to the main bar when its garage doors are open. It's one of the few "dive" type bars left in the area, and a key spot for long time regulars and casual happy hours and Penn State grads.

With the nice spring weather upon us Carpool should see lots a business this weekend. Monday night will be the best time to visit as it is also the celebration of opening day for Nationals baseball season.

A-Town Super Hero Halloween Weekend

A-Town in Ballston is having a weekend long Halloween celebration that is all super hero themed. As usual, no cover, DJ's will be spinning in the main room, and Sunday Fun Day is bound to be their most crowded day.

80s Party at A-Town

On Saturday June 4 A-Town in Ballston is throwing a 80s themed party. This no cover event starts at 10pm and features a DJ spinning the best of the 1980s. A $250 A-Town gift card will be awarded to the person with the best 80s costume and brunch for up to 10 people for the best dressed group! Bottle service and table reservations are available by calling 7035281110.

Taste of Arlington

This Sunday, May 15 nearly 40,000 people will flood Ballston for the annual Taste of Arlington neighborhood festival. Over 50 local restaurants will offer small plates in rows of tents down Wilson Blvd. This family and dog friendly event goes from noon to 6pm and features games, dog races, and a beer tent. The event is rain or shine, but so far it looks like the longest rainy streak in DC history will end by Sunday and we will hopefully have clear skies.

There will be two stages for lots of live music options, including:

Main stage:
Kelly Bell Band 12:00-1:30pm
White Ford Bronco 1:50-3:20pm
The Big Payback 3:40-5:10pm
Lost in Paris 5:30-7:00pm
VIP stage:
Lost Growlers 12-1pm
Huntley 1:30-2:30pm
Audiostrobelight 3-4pm
His Dream of Lions 4:30-5:30pm

There is no admission to attend, but you need to buy tickets either online or at the event to trade for food and drinks. 

A-Town 90s Party

Friday, February 26th A-Town is throwing a celebration of all things 90s! Their entire staff will be decked out in their 90s gear while the best 90s music and videos will be played by their DJ. The group of 10 people with the best 90s costumes will win a free table for 10 to an A-Town brunch. No cover charge, no tickets, and no guest list needed.

SER opening in Ballston

An exciting new venue named SER is getting ready to open this week in Ballston. Spanish for "to be", SER wants to be a small neighborhood restaurant serving up authentic, mouth-watering comfort foods from Spain in a casual and friendly environment. I'm really looking forward to the modern and stylish venue opening next to Melting Pot and Booeymonger at 1110 N. Glebe Rd.

Earlier this year, Christiana Campos won the Ballston BID Restaurant Challenge and began a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new Arlington restaurant. SER is under final construction now and is set to open Wednesday February 4, and is looking to hire staff here.

Bus Winery Tour

The 20s & 30s Going Out Meetup Group is hosting another day at Gray Ghost Winery and Molon Lave Vineyards on Sunday, March 9. The Bus Winery Tour conveniently leaves from Ballston Metro station at 11am and gets you back around 5:30. Cost is $55 right now, and goes up to $65 after March 2. Lunch is provided, but you can bring something or purchase wine/cheese/bread/etc there.

Mussel Bar Oysterfest

The new Mussel Bar & Grille in Ballston is having its Inaugural Oysterfest on Saturday, February 8. The party goes from noon to 4pm, and costs $25 for unlimited oysters. Drink specials include $4 Stone Porters beers and live music by Phil Komniski.

Even Hitler misses Union Jacks

I wasn't a big fan of Union Jack's in Ballston, but those who frequented the British pub are upset at the news of its closing. Including Hitler. This hilarious video above plays on the meme of "Hitler Reacts To..." to poke fun at various Arlington bars. Thanks to ArlNow.com for the link.

Hurricane Sandy Ballston Poker Bar Crawl

This Saturday, December 1st there is another day long benefit to raise money for victums of the recent east coast hurricane. Starting at 12:00 PM, the Ballston are Bars will be throwing a blow out fundraising event to support those who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The DC Restaurant Group partners Kevin Roberts and Chip Thompson have started a Non-Profit called Delaware Coast Aid to benefit this and have already raised over $50K for those suffering in New Jersey and New York. Here are the Details for the Pub Crawl / Poker Run: Starts at The Front Page in Arlington at 12pm Registration is $10 or $15 which gets you an event t-shirt $2 Bud Lights, $3 Fireballs Start at Front Page then go to: 1st stop - Union Jacks 2nd stop - Rock Bottom Brewery 3rd stop - Bailey's 4th stop - World of Beer 5th stop - A-Town 6th stop - Carpool 7th stop - First Down   There will also be a poker prize give away at Front Page. You need to get a playing card from each bar listed above, then return to Front Page by 4pm. The best hands sit down at poker tables and play for the grand prizes, including Redskins and Capitals gear, gift cards and golf bags. There will also be 5-10 more poker tables available for people to buy in and play rounds of poker.   Zippy Shell Mobile Moving & Storage will also be out in front of The Front Page in Ballston on Wilson Blvd from 9am-8pm for donations. They will be collecting: canned goods, diapers, blankets, pillows, clothes, and all other non perishable items to be delivered to the folks in New Jersey and New York who have lost so much.

A-Town happy hours

Modern booths at A-Town in Ballston

A-Town opened last Friday in Ballston, replacing Caribbean Breeze and updating its interior. The new space is much more modern and open with plenty of floorspace and ample outdoor seating and an outside bar. I missed their grand opening, but dropped by tonight for their 6-8pm happy hour specials. Despite its controversial name, I liked the atmosphere and look forward to visiting on the weekend when it is more crowded.

Beer and Cheese at Marvelous Market Saturday

This Saturday April 28 drop by Marvelous Market in Ballston for a beer and cheese pairing. From 4 to 7pm the delicious little deli will hold a spring open house to showcase five different cheeses and beer from Great Lake Brewing.

National Capital Tour de Cure fundraiser at Bailey's June 2

Come down to Bailey's Pub and Grille in Ballston next week on Thursday, June 2 from 5-9pm, for a National Capital Tour de Cure fundraiser. The race on June 5 is in Reston Town Center and supports diabetes awareness and research.

VeloBreakway is hosting the happy hour and has a goal of rasing $1,500. A $5 donation gets you a bracelet that entitles you to $2 drafts!