For The Win at Clarendon Grill

It's the final weekend of music at Clarendon Grill! After 22 years in business, one of my favorite bars and music venues will be closing on Saturday October 27.

The last week of the Grill's schedule consists of Salsa dance class Monday, Trivia Kings on Tuesday, then Friday with Bryen OBoyle acoustic from 8-10pm followed by the talented Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous at 10pm. Finally, the high energy cover and party band For The Win will rock out the Grill one last time with a Halloween themed party.

Another Loss For Live Music As Clarendon Grill Closes

Today's a sad day for Clarendon live music scene as another venue announced it is closing. Clarendon Grill, which has been a local mainstay for 22 years, confirmed that the August rumors were true and they will be closing in October.

Here is their Facebook post from today announcing their upcoming closure:
"So Long, Farewell...



It’s been an amazing ride. Our hearts are heavy as we share that the doors of the Clarendon Grill will be closing for good at the end of October. We were not ready, but sometimes things happen to change the course.

Some of you were around when the doors of the Clarendon Grill first opened back in the 1996 and some of you may not have been born yet. Either way we have truly enjoyed being the go to place for live music in Clarendon. When the Grill first opened there were few bars and fewer customers. As Clarendon grew in popularity, so did The Grill. We were extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of a community that has since blossomed into a vibrant collection of local businesses.

One of the most unique aspects of the Clarendon Grill is the staff. From our General Manager, to our bus boys, to our bartenders-the staff has remained the same for close to 20 years. That is a reflection of the unique culture and values that went well beyond a typical neighborhood bar. The Clarendon Grill was not just burgers, beers, and live music; it was a family to it’s staff and a “Night Out” for the community.
One of the many things we can be thankful for is all of the memories we have helped create, whether happy, funny, sad or forgettable (purposely or not). Thank you all for your support over the past 22 years.

It’s been a great run, but alas all good things must come to an end. There will be other bars, but none quite like the Clarendon Grill. Some things are replaceable like burgers and beers, but other things are intangible and we will argue that the staff and the experience we provided, will not be matched.

Cheers!

The Clarendon Grill Staff"

Goodbye Clarendon Grill?

ARLnow recently reported the possibly of long time nightlife staple Clarendon Grill closing soon as its address has been listed up for rent. This would be an incredibly sad development if it comes true that the Grill is leaving us, as it has been a major late night venue in Clarendon for over 20 years. The Grill holds a special place in this blogger's heart as well, since my very first Clarendon Nights post was of an 80s cover band there in 2008.

Clarendon Grill offers something for everyone, with a wide variety of events including Salsa class Mondays, trivia Wednesdays, and touring cover bands playing every Friday and Saturday night. With a central stage, multiple long bars, a renovated interior in 2010, a large outdoor rear patio, and situated in the center of Clarendon with plenty of foot traffic the Grill seems to have all the makings of a successful bar and restaurant.

Owner Peter Pflug opened up Clarendon Grill with its iconic vertical CLARENDON neon sign in 1996. He even lived in Clarendon just down the street from his venue for a while. It's hard to guess at what could cause the Grill's demise, as it could be the rent, or stiff competition from newcomers like Don Tito or the GOAT, or possibly the decline of interest in live music after the closing of Iota.

STARMAN at Clarendon Grill

On Thursday STARMAN, the Badass David Bowie Cover Band from Brooklyn is playing at Clarendon Grill at 9pm. March 8 is a special day for this blog as well, as it marks the 10 year anniversary of Clarendon Nights, which also first started at Clarendon Grill!

Seen in Bedford and Bowery and AM NY, STARMAN features an ensemble of New York’s top musicians. Combining world-class vocals, deft musicianship, Bowie-inspired costumes, and masterful stage presence, anyone who attends a STARMAN show is in for a simultaneously epic and intimate experience! STARMAN’s curated song list takes you back in time where songs were shared on the galactic playground. This is STARMAN's first stop in a multicity tour, afterwards they head to Cincinnati, Atlanta. New Orleans and Houston.

Clarendon NYE parties with a cover

Continuing with Clarendon New Year's Eve parties, here is a list of venues where you will need to purchase a ticket ahead of time or pay cover at the door. See the previous post for free NYE events.

Whitlows party starts at 8pm and features music by Back To Zero. $34 ticket includes buffet, party favors and champagne toast.

Clarendon Ballroom will have Liquid A on stage and DJ Hurley providing music in the downstairs lounge. Tickets are about $100 and include full dinner buffet, 4 drink tickets, and champagne.  Cocktail attire required. Bring cash. Ballroom also offers a $2 coat check for the frigid NYE night.

Clarendon Grill will host live music by Turtle Recall for $55 currently, going up to $65 soon. Party starts at 8pm and includes 3 drinks, food buffet and champagne toast.

Mister Days general admission tickets are up to $45 per person now, and will go up to $55. That includes 3 drink tickets, a VIP entrance and you have to be in the door before 11pm. Also available are $300 and $500 tables for 4 to 8 people with champagne, drink tickets and red bulls. DJ Mario will be playing hits from the 1980s up to today before they show the live New York City ball drop on all 20 of their TV screens.

Green Pig Bistro offers $75 dinner menu which includes two appetizers, entrée, desert and either two glasses of either Malbec or Gruner Vetliner wine.

BaBa features NYE party packages in the swanky basement of Ambar. Their dinner party prices range from $55, $65 or $75 depending on table or bar seats and timing. Or you can choose to pay $20 cover at the door that includes passed canapés and a cash bar. The DJ starts after 9pm.

Barley Mac in Rosslyn has a $50 package starting at 9pm with bourbon and whiskey pours, passed hors d’oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast in the bar area only.

Ireland's Four Courts in Courthouse has no cover before 9pm, and $10 after that. Live music with Eddie Pasa. Free party favors and champagne toast.

Piano Fight Club at Clarendon Grill

Clarendon Grill is starting a new weekly event on Thursdays featuring dueling pianos. The Piano Fight Club starts on November 30 around 9pm.

Blarney Blowout Breakfast

Instead of a St. Patrick's Day bar crawl in Arlington, Project DC Events is throwing a Blarney Blowout breakfast bash on Saturday March 18 morning at multiple Arlington locations. Keep the fun going from the Friday night festivities with a little help of hair of the dog at this Irish breakfast at either A-Town, Pamplona, Clarendon Grill or Courthaus Social.

Tickets are $25 and are for one of the four venues only, so choose your adventure wisely. Tickets include an all you can eat breakfast from 8 to 11am, drink specials, DJs, raffles and outfit contests. Wearing as much green as possible is recommended.

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

The best in local 90's music covers is hitting Clarendon Grill this Friday, September 9. One of my favorite bands White Ford Bronco will be headlining starting at 10pm with a $10 cover. It's no surprise they were named Best Local Cover Band in Washington City Paper earlier this year, as their energetic renditions of your favorite songs and Gretchen's vocals will make you an instant fan of theirs.

Party Like It's... at Clarendon Grill

My favorite cover and high energy local band Party Like It's... is coming to Clarendon Grill this Thursday, July 21. This seven member group plays fun covers of 80s, 90s and 2000s popular hits as well as a few original songs of there own. You have to see their performances live to really appreciate how entertaining they are, especially with Cathy DiTiro's spot on vocals and Taylor Morden's super energetic trumpeting. Music starts at 9pm and there is no cover!

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

The best 90s cover band in the area is back at Clarendon Grill this Thursday April 28! White Ford Bronco is returning to the stage to play a variety of throwback hits. It's no surprise they were named Best Local Cover Band in Washington City Paper earlier this month, as their energetic renditions of your favorite songs and Gretchen's vocals will make you an instant fan of theirs.

Music starts at 9:30pm with a $5 cover. Many people have already RSVP'ed on Facebook so its sure to be a good sized crowd.

Garden State Radio at Clarendon Grill

Energetic cover band Garden State Radio is back at The Clarendon Grill this Friday, Dec 4. The band mixes strobes and lighting with high energy EDM beats punctuated by vocals of American Idol Contestant Kelly Caruso. They play over 200 shows a year on the east coast, including Clarendon and Ocean City's Seacrets. Garden State Radio plays top 40 and club dance hits, as well as the classic dance and Hip Hop with also some popular 80's, Pop & Rock anthems. Music starts around 10pm with a $5 cover.

Party Like It's... at Clarendon Grill

The most exciting and entertaining cover band I've seen this year is coming to Clarendon Grill this Thursday March 5. Party Like It's... is an amazing five piece band that is extremely talented in performing favorite hits from the 80s, 90s and today along with some of their own ska tunes. Vocalist Cathy DiToro lends a strong and versatile voice as the group's front woman, while Ume is the most entertaining with his antics and hyper Trombone playing craziness. If you don't get snowed in this Thursday, come out to Clarendon Grill at 9:30pm for a no cover awesome show!

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

The awesome 90s cover band White Ford Bronco is playing tonight, Thursday October 9 for a free show! One of the best local cover bands I've seen is on stage at Clarendon Grill at 9:30pm without a cover charge.

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".

Thursday night Clarendon pics

Instagrams from Clarendon, VA this Thursday night

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

One of the best local cover band White Ford Bronco is rocking Clarendon Grill this Thursday, Feb 27. This no cover live happy hour is promoted by HiBall Events, and starts out at 5:30pm with DJ Pat Premier. Following him will be the best 90's songs at 9:30 to close led WHB's singer Gretchen's intoxicating vocals.

Clarendon Grill HH with DJ Neekola & The Benderz

Check out Clarendon Grill tonight, January 23, for happy hour and late night music with HiBall Events Thursday party that features no cover charge all night. The pink haired mixer DJ Neekola starts off with music at 5:30pm and happy hour priced drinks. Then Philadelphia based cover band The Benderz takes the stage at 9:30pm

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

One of the best local cover bands I've ever seen is coming to Clarendon Grill tonight, Thursday August 29. White Ford Bronco will belt out some classic 90s tunes starting at 9:30pm.

Before that, the Grill features their Thursday "No Bull Happy Hour" with Red Bull based drink specials and music by DJ Clinton Matthews starting at 5:30pm.

Photo credit to Acre121.

Student Intern Network HH Thursday

The Student Intern Network, a group started in DC to help young professionals with networking and philanthropty, is holding its next happy hour at the Clarendon Grill this Thursday, July 11. SIN also assists local charities and non-profit organizations with fundraising, including D.C. Central Kitchen, Alzheimer's Association, and the Boys & Girls Club of America. The free event from 5 to 9pm will include some drink specials and contest give aways.

All American Bar Crawl

UPDATE: Use promo code ALLAMERICAN2013 when you buy you ticket online to save 30%.

You don't have to wait to July 4 to party hard for America's birthday. The massive All American Bar Crawl will take over Clarendon this Saturday, June 29 from 1 to 9pm The bar crawl hits at least 10 bars between Clarendon and Courthouse, with cheap drinks and food as well as prizes for the most outlandish patriotic costumes. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Check in and pick up a souvenir beer mug at Mad Rose or Clarendon Grill between 1 and 5pm and then bar hop to any (or all) of these bars:

Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill
Clarendon Grill
Hunan Number One
Iota
Mad Rose Tavern
Mister Days
Sobe
Spider Kelly's
Whitlow's
Wilson Tavern
Velocity 5