Clarendon closings in 2014

 This past year was a tumultuous time for Clarendon with many surprise closings of some of my favorite venues. Here is a run down with the changes over 2014:


Sadly the fancy restaurant and rooftop Eventide suddenly closed one Sunday without warning. I wish I had a last chance at the excellent food in the second floor dining hall with the super high ceilings and booths with mini doors. Even worse this high end restaurant is planned to be replaced by Don Tito from the A-Town team, which sounds like it will be completely opposite of what Eventide once offered.

Twin quirky restaurants Tallula and Eatbar both shut down at the end of 2014. I enjoyed Tallula's menu, although it was often empty on that side of the building. Eatbar was a fun movie themed bar, but the food was overpriced and subpar and also suffered from being not close to anything. Texas Jack's Barbecue is set to take over the space in 2015.

We lost Wilson Tavern in Courthouse to a new hotel project this past year. I was sad about that as Social DC PR just started throwing fun themed parties there and it was the spot to catch the last episode of How I Met Your Mother.

Summers in Courthouse is set to close this year, and I have mixed feelings about the outdated soccer bar leaving us. It felt stagnant, but will miss the nights I spent there as a Marymount college student.

Java Shack will be turning into Commonwealth Joe in 2015. I felt luke warm on Java Shack so I am optimistic about this change.

And rumor has it that Carpool in Ballston my close in 2015 and may be demolished to make way for more high rise residential development. I hope that isn't true and we don't lose another quirky old favorite spot here.

Jay's is the clear winner in 2014 as they are still open despite years of talk of closing and the upper floor of the building being deemed unsafe.

Bracket Room 1 Year Anniversary

When Bracket Room was first launched in 2013 by Chris Bukowski of Bachelorette fame and two other owners, there was much criticism over the so called "female friendly sports bar" theme and doubts that it would be successful in the highly competitive bar scene in Clarendon. So far Bracket Room as exceeded my expectations and I'm looking forward to celebrating both the bar's one year anniversary and Chris Bukowski's birthday on Saturday September 6.

Starting at 8pm on Saturday, the ladies of Social DC Public Relations are throwing a party with food and drink specials including 312 beers on tap, Gia shooters and Fireball shots. They will also be collecting donations in memory of ABC's The Bachelor contestant, Gia Allemand, who was also one of Chris Bukowski's very close friends. The proceeds will go directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention charity that has just been started in her honor.

Drink de Mayo at Mad Rose and SoBe

This Sunday, May 4 Social DC PR and Night Life Agency is throwing a Cinco de Mayo party in Clarendon. From 1-7pm, Drinko de Mayo will be in the courtyard shared by Mad Rose Tavern and SoBe. There will be raffles, free sombrero and mustaches, and food and drink specials including:
$3 Dos Equis, Corona, Sol beer
$4 Tequila Sunrise
$ Margaritas, Tequila Blanco El Jimadar shots

Tickets are how about $6 online, and go up to $12 soon. You will need to show up before 4pm to register. Mister Day's is taking a long siesta Sunday and won't be participating after all.

Bracket Room opening Sept 5

Bracket Room, a new bar taking over Burapi Thai's old spot on Garfield and Clarendon Blvd, is set to open on Thursday September 5. The sports bar promises to be more "female friendly" than other similar venues, while offering 15 beers on tap and more shooters than I can count.

One of the three owners is Clarendon resident Chris Bukowski, who is easily recognized from his appearances on The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad TV shows. Less than one week after his new bar's grand opening, the venue will host another large party celebrating Chris's birthday on Tuesday, September 10. His b-day bash will be thrown by Social DC PR, a public relations company comprised of Arlington locals that recently raised almost $5,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation at their A-Town anniversary party.

Social DC PR fundraiser for Make-A-Wish

Clarendon locals Social DC PR is celebrating their one year anniversary of organizing parties by having a party to benefit the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic chapter. The $5 cover into A-Town in Ballston will go directly to the $7,500 fundraising goal that is needed to grant one child with a life-threatening condition their wish. If you can't make it to this huge party on Saturday, August 17, you can donate directly to the fund here.

RSVP for the event on Facebook to find out more info. The night at A-Town will be packed with drink specials, DJs, a silent auction, and prize raffles including:
- 6 Pairs of ALL NEW HeadBro Hammers Sunglasses
- Five different granola flavors from GrohNola
- Dinner for two at LeMirche in DC
- Tranquil Space Gift Card
- Gouter Organic Treats and Tonics
- One Month Unlimited Yoga from CorePower Yoga

Mad Rose Independance Day party

The best place to celebrate July 4th next Thursday could be at Mad Rose for their Star Spangled Independance Day Party. The no cover celebration starts at noon and includes buffet brunch, grilled food, and beer and liquor specials. DJs Biks and Karl N will provides music and hookahs available on the patio. This event being thrown by party pros and Arlington local Social DC PR so it bound to be a good time.

Drink specials will include:
$3 Red Apple
$3 Blue Moons
$3 Batch 19
$4 Rail Drinks
$4 'Merica Shots
$6 Bombs

Mad Rose Bachelorette party and Crittenton Services fundraiser

Mad Rose is hosting a Bachelorette viewing party this Monday June 9 at 7:30pm. They will be watching someone named Brian Jarosinski try to win someone named Desiree's heart on The Bachelorette season 9 finalie, a show I obviously do not watch. But I will be attending because the $5 donation at the door gets you access to wine and beer specials and goes directly to The Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, a charity that encourages teen girls to stay in school, avoid pregnancy, and graduate from high school.

Also in attendance will be Chris Bukowski, who was on the Bachelorette show previously and is opening a new bar in Clarendon soon called Bracket Room. Thanks to Social DC PR and The Madison for promoting the event.

Video from Wilson Tavern Re-Opening Party