GoFundMe to save Clarendon bar staff

If you want to help out your favorite Clarendon venue but need to stay at home to help the fight against COVID-19, there are plenty of fundraisers and gift card options. Below are all the ones I know about in the immediate area.

There are still a number of restaurants offering carryout and sometimes delivery now.

ArlingtonCanDo is a huge list of direct links to purchase gift cards for local businesses

Ambar - gift cards towards employee fund, $130 value for $100 purchase. Their GoFundMe is ongoing for $20,000

Arlington Cinema Drafthouse has a GoFundMe for employees of $10,000

Casal's - gift cards, get $125 value for $100 gift card

Galaxy Hut - closed with gofundme for staff $26,000 goal

There is a separate gofundme for Galaxy Hut and Spacebar business for $10,000

The GOAT and Don Tito - purchase gift card and 50% value goes to employees

Liberty Tavern - gofundme with $30,000 goal

Lyon Hall - gofundme with $30,000 goal

Northside Social - gofundme with $100,000 goal for both of its locations

O'Sullivans - gofundme for staff with $5,000 goal

Pamplona - gofundme for staff with $15,000 goal

Quarterdeck - gofundme with $15,000 goal

Rhodeside Grill - gofundme for employees with $5,000 goal

South Block Smoothies is matching donations to its Fruit Relief Fund up to $5,000 to donate 9,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to local families

Screwtop Wine Bar has a virtual tips jar for its servers

Spider Kelly's - gofundme for 30 person staff with $20,000 goal

Whitlows - gofundme with $10,000 goal for its people

Union Stage and Jammin Java - surpassed its $20,000 goal for its employees!

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!

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

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.

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"

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 Ballroom

One of the best 90s cover bands out there White Ford Bronco will be playing Clarendon Ballroom  on Friday, February 3. Since 2008, this five member band has played all around the DC area at Clarendon Ballroom, Clarendon Grill and Truckeroo amongst over places. 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. Music stars at 10pm and cover is $12.

Pamplona Grand Opening

Aamir Mohd @aamirmohd_

This week Clarendon welcomes a much anticipated Spanish themed restaurant Pamplona! It is officially opening this Thursday, January 12 in the old Sobe space next to Mad Rose.

Pamplona's Grand Opening will be held on Thursday but if you just can’t wait to get a peek they will  host soft openings beginning on Tuesday, January 10 and Wednesday, January 11. Come sample their signature black squid ink seafood paella, extensive pinxtos menu, and 8 different sangrias. Pamplona looked great when it was unveiled during their private NYE celebration and is sure to be a hit in the Clarendon nightlife scene.

Goodbye Sehkraft Brewery

Justin Trawick and the Common Good performing
an amazing set at Sehkraft late Dec 2016 

Local authoritative news source ARLNow is reporting the unfortunate news that Sehkraft Brewing is closing early January. The new venue, barely one year old, was one of my favorites with its ambitious goal of being a brewery, butcher meat backed restaurant, outdoor beer garden and live music stage. Their last day will be Tuesday Jan 10. This seems sudden as they had booked bands out until March.

I recently had the opportunity to see Justin Trawick and the Common Good put on a great show, as well as Sehkraft being a home for a short time to the Nine Songwriter Series and Derek Evry's open mic nights. Sadly, it wasn't enough to keep Sehkraft a float combined with the tough restaurant competition in Clarendon.

Sehkraft will be missed. No word yet on what might replace it in the large commercial space on 925 North Garfield Street, but I'm hoping for the best.

Clarendon Halloween Bar Crawl

The annual Clarendon Halloween Crawl is back this year on Saturday November 5th. Halloween falls on a Monday this year so make sure to hold on to your costume for this popular bar crawl on the weekend after. From 1 to 9pm, about nine or more local bars will participate with lots of costumed party goers, food and drink specials, and raffles.

Tickets are now $15 online or $30 at the door. You don't need a ticket to get into any of these Clarendon bars, but it is necessary for the drink specials poured into the refillable orange mugs. If you buy a ticket, register at either Mad Rose or Ballroom first. Bars that will host you are:

• Mad Rose
• Clarendon Ballroom
• Clarendon Grill
• Iota
• Whitlow’s
• Mister Days
• Spider Kelly’s
• Hunan One

Elliot in the Morning's Halloween Bash

It's time for the annual DC101 Elliot In The Morning Halloween costume contest in Clarendon! On Friday, October 28 the biggest party of the year starts at 5pm at Clarendon Ballroom and peaks with local radio personality Elliot Segal hosts a costume contest with a $3,000 grand prize. Music starts at 8pm with  Junkfood. There is a $10 cover before 9pm, and goes up to $15 after that.

Live music at Clarendon Day

Every year in September Clarendon Day draws a huge crowd to the street festival featuring lots of food, shopping, activities and live music. This Saturday September 17 there will be a huge selection of live performances across four stages throughout the day, including local favorite Justin Trawick and many many more:


N. Highland Main Stage: 

• 11 am        Buster
• 12 pm        The Devolvers
• 1 pm          Justin Trawick and the Common Good
• 2 pm          Molly Venter & Goodnight Moonshine
• 3 pm          Soul Stew
• 4 pm         Starryville
• 5 pm          Lato

Clarendon Blvd Rock Stage:

• 11 am        ROAM – Rock of Ages Music
• 12 pm        ROAM – Rock of Ages Music
• 1 pm          ROAM – Rock of Ages Music
• 2 pm          Rachel B
• 3 pm          Judge Smith
• 4 pm          Sub-Radio

Chili Cookoff Stage: 

• 11am – 5pm    We are the 9

Central Park Family Stage: 

• 11 am       Caroline Ferrante and Friends
• 12 pm       Urban Kempo
• 1 pm          Addagio Ballet
• 2 pm          Nova Ballet
• 3 pm          Saffron Dance
• 4 pm          O’Neill-James Irish Dance

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.

Going, Gone and New in Clarendon

Clarendon has seen a head spinning amount of closures and new openings recently. Here is a recap of everything that is changing.

New

District Taco
Another location has been added to this popular Mexican chain in Rosslyn! Not only do they have good food, but the story of the owner starting out his taco business from a food cart and working up to several profitable brick and mortar locations is heart warming.

Don Tito
This flashy taco and tequila bar replaced my beloved Eventide last March 2015, and I'm actually impressed by it so far. From the same owners of A-Town in Ballston, it has became Clarendon's new "it" place and the rooftop was the place to be seen in the summer.

Oz
This Australian restaurant opened last September 2015 to mixed reviews. I like the unique theme, but I never thought "I really feel like Australian cuisine tonight..." so I'm worried about their staying power. They have a great location in the old Restaurant 3 space (I'm not acknowledging La Tagliatella ever existed), so I'm hoping the foot traffic will help them out.

Park Lane Tavern
Opening in February, this new European pub in the fancy Beacon apartment building looks promising and hopefully will be along the lines of Liberty Tavern.

Sehkraft Brewery
I'm in love with this place. It took a while to open, but the large restaurant with good food, large drink selection, and ample outdoor seating with two fire pits was worth the wait. There is also a live music stage that We Are The 9 will perform every month! Hopefully in a couple months Sehkraft will offer their own selection of brews when their beer batches are ready.

Spinfire Pizza and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
You can never have too many pizza options.

Texas Jack's Barbecue
Just opened in Eat Bar and Tallula's old space on Washington Blvd, this open and wood filled mess hall looks very promising. Finally Clarendon might get some outstanding BBQ to gloat about!

On its way out...

Carpool
Unfortunately, it looks like Ballston will lose it the casual sports bar Carpool and it will be replaced by a high rise apartment building. The chain has other locations such as Reston, but the Arlington spot has a distinctive feel to it that I will miss.

CD Cellar
So sad! This used CD, DVD and vinyl music store survived in Clarendon after moving locations down the street, but now is closing up and consolidating with their Falls Church branch on Friday January 15. You will be missed CD Cellar, especially since you would infrequently host live music in the tiny store.

Knightsbridge
This quirky little gift shop was often overlooked despite having a prime location on Clarendon Blvd. Sad to see a unique place leave, but I often wondered how they stayed in business this long with such high commercial rent.

Gone!

Jay's
The most famous dive bar in Arlington shut its doors in May 2015. The old house turned bar will be turn down along with the car dealerships next door for a new 5 story residential development. The down to earth bar run by Jay and Kathi Moore was a fixture in Clarendon for over 20 years.

Larry's Homemade Ice Cream
I'm sad to lose such a great desert shop, but rumor has it the owner of Larry's also owns Spice down the street and will consolidate the cold stuff there.

RìRà
This Irish pub chain was never my favorite, but it was a good place to watch a soccer match or catch a free open mic comedy show in 2010. But the old RìRà space is still vacant even after they left in June 2015.

SoBe
One of my least favorite venues in Clarendon. Food was disappointing, drinks felt watered down, and the décor is strange. But it does have a popular karaoke night. The patio area they share with Mad Rose is nice, but I'm hoping something a little better can take over the space.

Public Shoe Store
I was hoping this prime location near the Metro and on the popular late night strip of Wilson Blvd would be a trendy or fancy restaurant, but it turns out it will be another 7-11. Bummer.

Clarendon Day 2015

This year's Clarendon Day will fall on Saturday September 26. The huge street festival follows several races that morning with food vendors, art and crafts for sale, kids games and five live music stages last from 11am to 6pm. Last year over 30,000 people attended this free outdoor party, so the expected good weather this weekend should have the streets of Arlington's downtown crowded. With 5 stages of live bands concurrently there is sure to music you can jam to, from local favorite rock group Footwerk to catchy tunes by Flo Anito to soulful guitar riffs by Sol Roots.

Hokie Club Chalk Talk at Clarendon Ballroom

This Tuesday June 16 Clarendon Ballroom hosts a special Nova Hokie Club VA Tech alumni event about Hokie football. Defense Coordinator Bud Foster and O Line Coach Stacey Searles will discuss various topics relevant to their positions and on the minds of Hokie Nation and take questions. Doors open at 6pm and event starts 7pm.

You can purchase tickets for the event now for $15 online. Tickets at the door the night of the event will be $20. Kids are free.

All proceeds will go towards the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund. Specifically, the NOVA Hokie Club has pledged all 2015 proceeds to the New Indoor Football Practice Facility. There will be light appetizers, a cash bar and a raffle auction.

Clarendon Golf Tournament for Cancer Fundraiser

This Monday May 18 the Clarendon Business Association, including many local venues like Whitlows, is throwing its annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event is in Dumfries, Va at the Potomac Shores Golf Club. Registration starts at 11am Monday and Shotgun start at 1pm. Foursomes are $600 (individual golfers are $150/person) and sponsorships are available. Both CBA and LLS are 5013c organizations. For more information, contact emmanuel@whitlows.com

The Association includes Whitlows, Boulevard Woodgrill, Clarendon Grill, Faccia Luna, Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall, Mexicali Blues, O'Sullivan's, RìRà and Mister Days.

Halloween in Clarendon - Nov 1 Bar Crawl

Halloween isn't over on Oct 31! Here in Clarendon the holiday must always span two weekends, so save your costumes for the 2nd annual Clarendon Halloween Crawl on Saturday, Nov 1. Organized by Project DC Events, last year's bar crawl was massive and super fun. Be prepared for hordes of costumed party goers between 2 and 9pm who are taking advantage of each participating venue's specials, raffles and costume contests.

Early bird tickets are $10 until this Tuesday Oct 7. Then prices rise to $15 and then to $20 at the door. That price gets you a plastic mug, access to cheaper beer with that mug, $2 Bronx pizz slices, and prize contest entries. Despite all the controversy surrounding Arlington bar crawls over the past year, I'm really looking forward to this one because the costumed crowd was so friendly at the last Halloween crawl.

Register at Mad Rose or Clarendon Ballroom to start the day drinking out and expect long lines at both venues. Then hop to any or all the other participating bars, including: Whitlow’s, Spider Kelly's, SoBe, Hunan Number One, Mister Days, Hard Times, IOTA, American Tap Room, and Bracket Room.

Social Bites Clarendon Food Crawl

This Saturday August 9, The Social Group and RUNINOut will be launching Clarendon’s first-ever Food Crawl over four restaurants in four hours. The event will start at 12:30pm at Ri Ra, then at 1:30pm they will split off into two different groups and visit two other restaurants for 45 minutes each and will rejoin for an a final tasting around 4pm. Each location will have drinks specials and will be featuring signature items that best represent their establishment. Tickets are $43 here.

Rock the Roof Wine Night at Eventide

The highlight of summertime in Clarendon are the rooftops, and the rooftop party the night of on Wednesday August 6 is not to be missed if you are into wine. Rock The Roof DC and the Young Winos convinced Eventide to extend their rooftop happy hour to 4-8pm. Specials will include half priced wines by the glass, additional wine selections and regular happy hour prices. In case it rains the party moves to Eventide's first floor Odd Bar.