Goodbye Hunan Number One

Clarendon was sadly hit with another closing notice this week with Hunan Number One declaring their last day open will be Sunday August 11. This sudden announcement caught me by surprise as recently Hunan had bartender, server and delivery job wanted signs on their front window. It will definitely be missed as Hunan was one of the last dive-bar-ish old venues in Clarendon, which is quickly being dominated by high end sports bars and nightclubs.

Hunan was famous for its casual atmosphere and giant low cost 32oz beer mugs, usually $9 with happy hours lasting until 9pm. Hunan also had a minor renovation in 2015 adding arcade, pinball and a pool table to its rear bar.

Come down to Garfield Street this Friday and Saturday night to give Hunan a final sendoff!

Plant Nite at Hunan Number One

You may have seen the Paint Nights previously hosted in Clarendon, where participates paint beginner level paintings and sip wine at a bar together, so now get ready for Plant Nite this Wednesday August 30 starting 7pm. Hunan Number One is hosting this event where you can exercise your green thumb and create your own table top garden from terrariums to herbs garden. Of course you will be able to take advantage of Hunan's great happy hour specials and $7 to $9 giant beer steins. You can buy tickets on their website for $56 per person including materials.

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".

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.

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

Hunan Number One spotlighted by OnTapOnline

Wing at home running the bar at Hunan

Clarendon's hidden gem Hunan Number One was one of three DC area bars featured by OnTapOnline recently. Known for being full of personality and cheap 32 oz mugs of beer, it's one of the few dive-ish bars left in Clarendon.

OnTap interviewed Wing Tsang, who is the manager and energy behind the family owned venue tucked away on Garfield Street. Every time I've been to Hunan I've seen Wing behind one of the bars, and usually her father running between them refilling the taps. Looking forward to more fun times at Hunan this winter!

Windy night in Clarendon

The unseasonably warm weather Friday night brought out many people to Clarendon's night life scene, and probably helped boost the crowd for opening weekend at Mad Rose Tavern. Although the day started out in the mid 70s, later that night the fierce winds started thrashing around the more scantly clad party goers.

Mad Rose Tavern's front bar was packed beyond capacity, but we still managed to get a seat at their rear bar near the dining tables. If you were making a list of everything you would expect from a nice or "upscale" bar in Clarendon, this place has all the items checked off. Similar to Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, except with less flat screen TV's. Except it seemed to lack one critical factor: personality.

On the opposite end of the night life spectrum, Hunan Number One has plenty of personality. Located slightly off the beaten path on Garfield street, the Chinese restaurant and bar was very popular Friday night. We also ended up at the rear bar at Hunan Number One, which was slightly less packed than their front spaces. Another reason for their popularity: they offer huge 32oz beers like the pictured Yuengling next to a normal sized Blue Moon.

Hunan Number One

This Sunday was a slow night for Clarendon, as most places were almost empty like the Clarendon Grill which closed around 7pm after the Giants game finished. I was on my way to Iota for the Save the Arlington Planetarium benefit concert, when the freezing wind picked up and I ducked into Hunan Number One for safety. Hunan was also quiet, unlike the previous Sunday before Christmas, but the bartenders were friendly and the huge cheap beers were plentiful.

Hunan is another one of Clarendon's "secrets", as its tucked away down on North Garfield Street opposite of Mexicali Blues. It's famous for their generous 32 oz huge beers and cheap pitchers. They offer good brews like Magic Hat and the delicious Sarana Caramel Porter.

Remember, there is still time to donate to save the Planetarium before the end of the year!