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Morning Notes

Published March 17, 2017 at 9:30AM

Arlington’s Irish Bars on St. Patrick’s Day — Today is St. Patrick’s Day and that of course means that Guinness will be flowing like water at Arlington’s half dozen Irish pubs. Among them: The Celtic House on Columbia Pike (recently lauded by Yelp and Travel + Leisure), Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington, Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse, O’Sullivan’s in Clarendon, P. Brennan’s on Columbia Pike and Sine Irish Pub on Pentagon Row.

Arlington’s High-Earning Millennials — “Arlington has more millennials with a household income of $350,000 or more than any other jurisdiction in the country, with 8.7 percent of millennials among that wealthy cohort.” [Washington Post]

Donaldson Run Neighborhood Profiled — “Tracy and Jeremy Penfield bought their first house in Donaldson Run in Arlington County because they liked the location and the price. After living close to Metro for almost a decade, they welcomed the hilly, wooded neighborhood, which is largely car-oriented.” [Washington Post]

WeWork Creator’s Awards — WeWork, which has both co-working and co-living space at an office building in Crystal City, is giving out $20 million in grant awards to creators around the world, including here in the D.C. area. Applications to pitch an idea in D.C. are due this coming Monday. [WeWork]

Police Tase Suspect in Pikachu Onesie During Brawl Outside A-Town Bar & Grill

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2017 at 11:35AM | Updated December 23, 2021 at 4:15PM

Police outside A-Town Bar & Grill on 3/12/17 (photo courtesy Brad L.)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m. on 12/23/21) A wild fight outside Ballston’s A-Town Bar & Grill last night resulted in two suspects being tased by police, including one man who was brawling while wearing a Pikachu onesie.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on the 1000 block of N. Randolph Street. According to police, it started when the man in the Pikachu costume, Steven [Redacted] tried to pick a fight with the bouncers at A-Town after being kicked out of the bar’s weekly “Sunday Funday” festivities.

[Redacted] “became aggressive with the door staff and Mr. Reid attempted to intervene,” according to what may be the longest item ever on an Arlington County Police Department daily crime report (below).

Police arrived and tried to break up the fight between [Redacted] and [Redacted], according to the crime report. The men allegedly stopped fighting with each other and started fighting with police. Both suspects were tased during the fracas and [Redacted] tried to flee, but both were eventually taken into custody and no one was seriously injured, police say.

Arlington Bar Named No. 1 Destination for St. Patrick’s Day

By ARLnow.com

Published March 10, 2017 at 4:35PM

The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant on Columbia Pike is the No. 1 place in the U.S. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, at least according to online review site Yelp.

The pub, at 2500 Columbia Pike, has a stellar 4.6 star rating on Yelp, leading to its selection at the top of the “50 Best Bars in the U.S. To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day” list.

“Yelp determined the list by first identifying bars frequently reviewed with the word ‘Irish,’ and then ranking the establishments by ratings and the number of reviews,” said Travel + Leisure, which published the list.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2017 at 9:45AM

Superintendent Presents Proposed Budget — Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy presented his proposed, $617 million budget to the School Board last night. The budget includes $9.2 million for student enrollment growth and $8.7 million for teacher and staff pay increases. [Arlington Public Schools]

Wakefield Girls Advance to Regional Finals — With a semifinal win in Leesburg, the Wakefield High School girls basketball team has advanced to a regional championship game for the first time in the program’s history. They will play defending champs Edison tomorrow (Saturday) at Edison. The boys team, meanwhile, lost in the regional semifinals; both teams will also advance to the state tournament. [InsideNova, Facebook]

More on the County Budget — County Manager Mark Schwartz presented his proposed FY 2018 budget to the County Board Thursday afternoon. His budget presentation suggested that Arlington will make service delivery and customer service a priority in the upcoming fiscal year. Among the initiatives that may be coming soon: building a one-stop county permitting system and providing “virtual access to public meetings.” [PDF]

‘Blarney Blowout’ Coming to Arlington — The Shamrock Crawl bar crawl may not be coming back to Clarendon this year, but its organizers are planning a new event dubbed the Blarney Blowout. Four Clarendon and Courthouse bars are participating in the event, on the day after St. Patrick’s Day, featuring a “free all-you-can-eat breakfast Buffet, St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans, entertainment, party favors and more.” The event is “not your traditionally tame “kegs and eggs,” its website says. [Blarney Blowout]

New Bar to Showcase Steamed Buns and Cocktails in Clarendon

By Tim Regan

Published February 22, 2017 at 2:00PM

A new restaurant and bar dedicated to steamed buns and creative cocktails is coming soon to Clarendon.

The business, dubbed “Bar Bao,” is slated to open in the former Mad Rose Tavern space at 3100 Clarendon Blvd, according to co-owner Mike Bramson, who also co-owns Spanish tapas joint Pamplona down the street.

As the name implies, Bar Bao will serve steamed buns, dumplings and other small bites inspired by Chinese and Taiwanese street food.

“We’re going to have a heavy focus on the bao bun program,” Bramson told ARLnow.com. “We’re going to do a lot of creative takes on it.”

One example is a steamed bun filled with southern fried chicken, Bramson said. Though the rest of the menu isn’t yet finalized, he added that diners can expect lots of similarly “unique twists on street food.”

Bar Bao will also serve a long list of cocktails, Bramson said. And like the food, the drink list is to-be-determined.

“We call it Bar Bao because we’re also going to have a really nice cocktail program,” he said. “We’re going to do some creative things that nobody in the area has seen yet.”

When it opens, the new eatery’s interior will feature murals from a local graffiti artist. The interior will also showcase materials such as steel, zinc, lumber and leather “to express an architectural moment reflective of the food itself: pedestrian, flavorful, and comfortable,” a design document given to ARLnow reads.

If all goes according to plan, the new hangout will open in a little more than a month.

“We’re expecting to open in April,” Bramson said. “We’re going really quickly. We already ordered the furniture.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 21, 2017 at 9:15AM | Updated February 21, 2017 at 9:36AM

Busy Weekend for ACFD — The Arlington County Fire Department responded to a couple of big fires over the weekend. Two firefighters were injured while battling an apartment fire on the 5500 block of Columbia Pike; a resident tells ARLnow.com that the fire started when a resident fell asleep while cooking. Also on Saturday, Arlington firefighters assisted on a mutual aid call to battle a raging inferno at a McLean mansion owned by the United Arab Emirates. [WUSA 9, Connection Newspapers]

Carpool Bartender Profiled — “In an era where craft cocktails, celebrity chefs and ‘artisanal’ everything dominate the D.C. dining scene, it’s hard to find a watering hole where comfort comes in the form of a bottle of Bud, a basket of onion rings and a bartender who knows your name. But at Carpool in Arlington, Virginia, that is exactly what’s on the menu — at least for a few more weeks.” [WTOP]

County Board Pay Raise Proposed — The Arlington County Board this weekend will consider a proposal to raise its own pay by 3.5 percent. That would bring the salary for the County Board chairman to $56,628 and the salary for County Board members to $51,480. [Arlington County]

School Board Pay Raise Bill — The Virginia General Assembly has approved a bill that would lift the state-imposed $25,000 salary cap on Arlington School Board members. If Gov. Terry McAuliffe signs the legislation, School Board members will be able to raise their pay in 2021. [InsideNova]

Police Impound Lot Changes — The Arlington County Police Department has updated its procedures for people retrieving vehicles from the impound lot in Shirlington. [Arlington County]

Remembering Steve Buttry — Journalist Steve Buttry has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 62. As Director of Community Engagement for TBD.com in 2010, Buttry had an outsized influence on ARLnow.com in its early days. He was a champion of local news and a tireless “advocate for and teacher of digital journalism and media innovation.” [The Buttry Diary]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Justice to Face Justice After Being Bottled Up By Cops

By ARLnow.com

Published February 13, 2017 at 1:30PM

A 26-year-old Fairfax man named Adam Justice is facing several charges after an incident in Clarendon early Saturday morning.

Just before 1 a.m., police say a suspect tried to throw a glass bottle at a restaurant employee, who ducked out of the way just in time to avoid the projectile. The suspect took off on foot as police gave chase, but after a brief pursuit he was taken into custody.

The incident happened on the 1100 block of N. Highland Street, according to a crime report; that’s the same block as Clarendon Grill.

More on the charges Justice is facing, below, from an Arlington County Police Department crime report.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2017-02110017, 1100 block of N. Highland Street. At approximately 12:55 a.m. on February 11, officers witnessed a male subject throw a glass bottle at a restaurant employee. The employee was able to move out of the way and was not struck by the bottle. Officers attempted to take the male suspect into custody but he tried to flee the area on foot. Following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody. Adam Rhodes Justice, 26, of Fairfax Va, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding, obstruction of justice, and drunk in public.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2017 at 9:05AM | Updated February 8, 2017 at 10:30AM

Police Search for Missing Boy — Updated — Arlington County Police were looking for a missing 13-year-old boy who may have run away from home yesterday evening. The boy took his bike and possibly camping gear, according to police and to scanner traffic. Police say the boy has since been “located in good health.” [Arlington County]

Carpool to Close, Move — The end is near for Carpool, the popular Ballston bar has kept on ticking despite originally being slated to close this past summer to make way for a redevelopment. Management reportedly plans to move Carpool to the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax County this summer. [Washington Business Journal]

Rep. Beyer’s Hat Get Noticed — Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) wore a red “Keep the EPA Great” hat to a Congressional hearing about the agency on Tuesday, and the internet loved it. [Gizmodo]

Kudos for Ashlawn Crossing Guard — Ashlawn Elementary School crossing guard Ana Hernandez has been recognized as one of Virginia’s “Most Outstanding Crossing Guards.” Hernandez works “patiently but firmly to ensure the safety of students,” according to a press release. [Arlington Public Schools]

Optimism for N. Va. Economy — “The Northern Virginia region could see job employment grow from anywhere between 4 to 14.4 percent from 2014 to 2025,” according to forecasts from George Mason University’s Stephen Fuller. [Loudoun Times-Mirror]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

Balkan-Themed Basement Bar and Cafe ‘Baba’ to Open in Clarendon

By Tim Regan

Published January 25, 2017 at 2:10PM | Updated January 27, 2017 at 5:07PM

(Updated on Friday at 5:06 p.m.) Clarendon restaurant Ambar will open a sister cafe, restaurant and cocktail lounge called Baba next week.

The business, named after the Serbian word for grandmother, is slated to open in the basement level of 2901 Wilson Blvd by Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Owner Ivan Iricanin said the new hangout is meant to conjure the kind of warm, homey feeling one might get when visiting their grandmother’s house.

“You get fed well, you get treated well, you always have a fire,” Iricanin said. “It’s a rustic feel, but very comfortable.”

In the morning, Baba’s chefs will whip up a breakfast and brunch menu that includes pastries, french toast, oatmeal, customizable grain and veggie bowls, sandwiches and La Colombe coffee. Then, later in the day, the lights dim and the spot becomes a spot for cocktails, sliders and music.

“Grandma here is a little bit modern and a little bit edgy,” Iricanin joked. “It’s very transformative.”

One of the eatery’s specialties will be Rakia, a boozy Balkan beverage made from distilled, fermented fruit juice. Patrons can also order cocktails made from various liquors alongside house-made tinctures and infusions and 20 kinds of wine from countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia.

“We want you to come here, drink cocktails, get a few bites of this, a few bites of that,” said Iricanin.

But it’s also the kind of place where patrons might want to hang out, he added. The restaurant will feature free Wi-Fi, and outlets with USB ports under every seat.

The 2,400-square foot interior, which was designed by Iricanin’s wife, Nya Gill, features a mix of vintage and modern materials, eclectic artwork and antique glass chandeliers. Going along with the comfortable theme, the bar also has a real working fireplace flanked by two leather “king chairs,” as Iricanin calls them.

“You won’t want to leave,” said Iricanin. “Again, think grandma.”

‘G.O.A.T.’ to Have Three Bars, 350 Seats

By ARLnow.com

Published January 4, 2017 at 9:30AM

We now know a bit more about The G.O.A.T., the new sports bar and lounge that’s coming to the former Hard Times Cafe space in Clarendon.

The bar is expected to open in June. The 8,800 square foot space is being completely remodeled and will seat “350 guests between three full bars and full service tables.”

The group behind A-Town Bar and Grill, Don Tito and other popular Arlington hangouts has signed a 20-year lease for the space, at 3028 Wilson Blvd.

A new press release, below, says The G.O.A.T. will “transition from a traditional sports bar to a chic and relaxed evening lounge” and will feature “daily deals, late night menus and live entertainment” among its rotating specials.

Mike Cordero is bringing the “greatest of all time” in food and drinks to Clarendon this summer. Set to open in June 2017, The G.O.A.T. will take over 3028 Wilson Boulevard, which formerly housed the Hard Times Café, and transform the current floor and kitchen layout to maximize the seating in the 8,800-square-foot restaurant space. Cordero’s MacNac Hospitality signed a 20-year lease agreement with property owner VA Properties LLC. will work on the build out and remodeling of the kitchen, ground level and second floor, and Yvette Irene Design will develop the interior décor.

The G.O.A.T. will serve gourmet American comfort food and beverages. All the menu’s recipes will feature locally sourced ingredients and homemade marinades and sauces. There will be an emphasis on craft cocktails and beers supplied from area microbreweries.

“Our mission is to offer simple yet delicious food, a variety of drinks and a relaxing environment to lounge in,” said Mike Cordero, Executive Chef and President of MacNac Hospitality. “The G.O.A.T. will be an inviting sports bar that can be enjoyed beyond game day.”

Designed with extended hours for lounging in mind, The G.O.A.T. will transition from a traditional sports bar to a chic and relaxed evening lounge. Daily deals, late night menus and live entertainment will be a regular part of The G.O.A.T.’s rotating specials.

The redesigned restaurant will seat 350 guests between three full bars and full service tables. The 200-person dining room will have a mix of high tops and long banquette style tables. The bar stools and high top table chairs will feature plush cushions and foot rests to make seating for extended periods most comfortable. To ensure all seats are “the best seat in the house,” The G.O.A.T. will feature three large viewing walls. Each wall will be entirely comprised of individual TV monitors that together display one single televised event to maximize the overall viewing potential from each table. Separate from the main floor, The G.O.A.T. will house a private function room equipped with its own bar, several TV monitors, and seating for 25.

New Year’s Eve Parties In and Around Arlington

By Samantha Moore

Published December 21, 2016 at 1:15PM

Want to stay in Arlington (or, at least, within a stone’s throw of Arlington) but still go out for New Year’s Eve?

Good news: With just over a week and a half until New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of local options still available for New Year’s procrastinators. A list of NYE parties that you can walk back from, if necessary, is below.

2017 NYE Decades Sehkraft Brewing
Sehkraft Brewing (925 N. Garfield St.)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Ring in the New Year in Clarendon with the cover band “Girls Night Out” and DJ Fusion as they play hit songs from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Tickets start at $30 and include drink tickets, a VIP entrance and party favors.

New Years Eve at Don Tito!
Don Tito (3165 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Clarendon’s “hottest tequila bar” will be hosting a New Year’s Eve bash. General Admission starts at $40 and includes three drink tickets, party favors and a VIP entry. Tables start at $350 with a bottle of champagne and 15 drink tickets.

Highline New Year’s Eve
Highline RxR (2010 Crystal Drive)
Time: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Celebrate the New Year in Crystal City at one of the D.C. area’s newest bars. There will be a huge dance floor, a photo-booth, selfie station, buffet, open bar, a “killer” DJ and more. Tickets start at $109.

Copperwood Tavern New Year’s Eve Celebration
Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Reserve a table at Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington for a prix fixe three course dinner, a champagne toast at midnight and other party favors to ring in the New Year. Tickets start at $55 and the doors open at 4 p.m.

New Year’s Eve 2017 Maskquerade at A-Town
A-Town Bar & Grill (4100 Fairfax Dr.)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Join A-Town at their 5th-annual New Year’s bash. General admission starts at $35 with three drink tickets and VIP tables start at $300 with a bottle of champagne, 15 drink tickets and two appetizer samples. Ticket prices increase closer to the event.

A Beautiful Bourbon NYE 2017
Barley Mac (1600 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Rosslyn’s bourbon bar will be ringing in the New Year in style. Pricing starts at $45 includes three drink tickets for premium beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast at midnight. Drink tickets may be used for bourbons and whiskeys.

A Gatsby New Year’s Eve at Sequoia (Georgetown Waterfront)
Sequoia Georgetown Waterfront (3000 K St. NW)
Time: 9 p.m.-12 a.m

Join Local Social and Project DC for a Great Gatsby New Year’s event at the Georgetown waterfront, overlooking beautiful Rosslyn. Tickets start at $155 and includes several open bars, a dinner buffet, a champagne toast and a heated outdoor patio.

Clarendon Ballroom 17th Annual New Year’s Eve Gala
Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Liquid A, DJ Lil Fos and Hurley will be performing at Clarendon Ballroom’s 17th Annual New Year’s Gala. There will be two levels of entertainment, dinner buffet, champagne, midnight balloon drop and four drink tickets will be included in your purchase.

6th Annual NYE Prohibition Casino Night
Hyatt Regency at Crystal City (2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy.)
Time: 8 p.m.-3 a.m.

Gold Boot Entertainment will be hosting their 6th annual New Year’s event at the Hyatt in Crystal City. There will be a surprise guest DJ, five levels of entertainment, various games & shows, 20 cash bars and much more. Semi-formal attire is required.

New Year’s Eve at the Drafthouse with DJ G-Mills
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
Time: 7:30 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

Looking for a more low-key experience this year? For $15, the Drafthouse is hosting an ’80s-themed New Year’s party where you can enjoy the ball drop table-side on the huge screen, music by DJ Mills, and various party favors.

New Year’s Eve in The Wine Bar
Northside Social (3211 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Northside Social is ringing in the New Year with a wine and dinner celebration, featuring a sparkling wine line-up and Chef Matt Hill’s five course menu for a pairing. Dinner starts at 8:30 p.m. with a sparkling toast at midnight.

Clarendon Grill New Year’s Eve Party
Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland St.)
Time: doors open at 8 p.m.

Celebrate the new year with My Hero Zero at Clarendon Grill. Tickets start at $45 and include the live performance, three drink tickets, a large food buffet, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

7th Annual New Year’s Eve Throw Down
IOTA Club & Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: doors open all day

The IOTA Club will have a live show featuring The Beanstalk Library, Bobby Thompson and Revelator Hill to celebrate this New Years Eve. Doors will be open all day, the show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $20. Party favors are included.

The Legwarmers New Year’s Eve Party
The State Theatre (222 N. Washington St.)
Time: doors open at 7 p.m.

The “ultimate 80s cover band” will be ringing in the New Year in Falls Church with some throwback jams, so don’t forget your 80s garb and get ready to dance. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets start at $50.