bars

‘The G.O.A.T Sports Bar’ Coming to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A new sports bar is coming to the former Hard Times Cafe space across from the Clarendon Metro station.

The G.O.A.T Sports Bar, at 3028 Wilson Blvd, is described as “Northern Virginia’s premier sports and game lounge.” It’s expected to open at some point in early summer 2017.

The bar comes from the prolific team behind A-Town Bar and Grill in Ballston, Don Tito in Clarendon and Barley Mac in Rosslyn. It will serve American comfort food, said Scott Parker, one of the partners, but few additional details were available beyond the sports focus.

“The G.O.A.T. is a popular sports acronym for ‘Greatest of All Time,'” Parker said. “Much of the concept is still being developed, but we’re going to be doing a complete redesign of the space.”

Parker added that a second new bar/restaurant from the team may be opening in Clarendon around the same time as The G.O.A.T. The details behind that new concept are also under wraps.

“That deal is very close to being done and we are pretty confident both concepts will be open in that time frame,” he said.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Rosslyn in the fall (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Dogs Die in Seven Corners Fire — Two dogs perished in a Sunday morning house fire in the Seven Corners area, although three dogs and four people were able to make it out of the burning home okay. Arlington County firefighters responded to the scene, assisting Fairfax County units in battling the blaze. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Water Main Break in Fairlington — Parts of north Fairlington had low or no water pressure for most of the day Monday due to a water main break. [Twitter]

Remembering Obama’s Local Bookstore Visit — Even four years later, not a day goes by when One More Page Books owner Eileen McGervey doesn’t hear from someone about the time in 2012 when President Obama visited her store on Small Business Saturday. She recounted how it happened recently on a local public radio show. [WAMU]

Carpool Still Hanging On — Once believed to be closing this fall to make way for a redevelopment, popular Ballston bar Carpool is now likely to remain open through March 2017, co-owner Mark Handwerger tells ARLnow.com. The Washington Business Journal reported last month that the redevelopment has hit a bit of a snag.

Yorktown Senior Joins Chamber — Mark Yates, Jr., a senior at Yorktown High School and the founder of a lawn care business, has joined the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as a member after participating in the Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy. [Arlington Chamber]

Jonathan Kinney Honored — Prominent local attorney Jonathan Kinney was honored by the Arlington Community Foundation earlier this month, in front of a record luncheon crowd of nearly 400. Despite his low-key demeanor, Kinney, a land use and estate planning attorney, was described as “Arlington’s most indispensable citizen.” [InsideNova]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Unusual trash day items (Photo courtesy Peter Golkin)

ACFD Battles Fire in Fairlington — Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax together helped to battle a kitchen fire in a Fairlington condominium this morning, preventing it from spreading further. S. Abingdon Street near Abingdon Elementary was blocked for part of the morning as a result of the emergency response. [Twitter, Twitter]

ACPD Cracks Down on Fake IDs — An Arlington County Police Department campaign to crack down on fake IDs, in partnership with Clarendon bars, has netted more than 450 fakes since May. At one point this summer, according to a manager, Don Tito collected about 20 fake IDs per week. [WJLA]

Metro Pulls 4000 Series Cars — Metro has removed all 4000-series railcars from service to due safety concerns. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said he asked the agency to prioritize 8-car train service on the Blue Line while the railcars are out of service. Metro’s general manager “assured me there’d be very little impact to BL riders,” Beyer tweeted. [WMATA, Twitter]

Sietsema Lauds Ambar — Ambar’s new Clarendon outpost not only lured the Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema west of the Potomac River, but it received 2.5 out of 3 stars from the restaurant critic. Sietsema’s main gripe: too much noise. “Surely the same folks who dispense so much good will and satisfying food can solve a problem like disquiet,” Sietsema wrote. [Washington Post]

Post Profiles Old Dominion Neighborhood — The Washington Post’s continued anthropological study of Arlington’s neighborhoods in the real estate section has this week brought it to the Old Dominion community. A pair of recent homebuyers said they liked that Old Dominion “had a neighborhood feel and was also walkable.” [Washington Post]

Big Wins for Arlington at NAIOP Awards — Arlington County fared well at the 2016 NAIOP Northern Virginia commercial real estate awards on Wednesday. Among the local projects being recognized were the Bartlett in Pentagon City, WeWork/WeLive in Crystal City, Arlington’s Dept. of Human Services building along Washington Blvd and Opower in Courthouse. [NAIOP]

Photo courtesy Peter Golkin

Police: Man Fights and Bites Bouncers, Officers in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 4:10 p.m. on 12/23/21) A man’s night out in Clarendon took a turn for the worse when he allegedly tried to fight a bouncer who was kicking him out of a Wilson Blvd bar.

The incident happened around 1:40 a.m. Sunday morning.

Police showed up and tried to restrain the man, who proceeded to resist and kick the officers, according to a crime report.

From ACPD:

ASSAULT ON POLICE x2, 161023003, 3100 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 1:40 a.m. on October 23, a fight ensued inside a restaurant. Multiple officers approached a subject who was wrestling a bouncer and attempted to remove him. In the process of being removed, the subject bit two bouncers. When the subject was handcuffed, officers attempted to remove him from the premises but he wrapped his legs around a support pole and refused to let go. He continued to not comply and kicked two officers in their faces. Dylan Monroe [Redacted], 25, of an unknown address, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, assault on police, assault & battery, disorderly conduct, and drunk in public.

Spirits of 76 Now Open in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
1/8

Spirits of 76, new bar with a patriotic name and Americana decor, has opened.

Specializing in whiskey and American comfort food, Spirits of 76 aims to be a neighborhood hangout. Live music is also part of the plan.

The bar quietly opened its doors Wednesday as part of a soft opening. It’s now open from 4 p.m. to last call on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to last call on weekends.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Lyon Park Community Center (Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok)

Balcony Fire in Arlington View — Arlington County firefighters battled a small fire on an apartment balcony in the Arlington View neighborhood yesterday afternoon, following reports of an “explosion” sound. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. [Twitter]

Carpool’s New Owner Trying to Sell — The fate of Carpool is once again uncertain. The Ballston-area bar was supposed to close later this fall to make way for a new high-rise residential development. Despite County Board approval of the project, and the just-completed sale of the bar, developer Penzance is now reportedly trying to sell the site. [Washington Business Journal]

Student Population Growth Lower Than Estimate — The student population at Arlington Public Schools grew 3.6 percent from last school year to the beginning of this school year. That’s an increase of 914 students, the equivalent of a new middle school, but it is 262 students below APS projections. [InsideNova]

Pedestrian-Only Streets on County Board Agenda — The Arlington County Board on Saturday is slated to consider allowing pedestrian-only streets in Arlington. Currently such streets are not part of the county’s Master Transportation Plan. Pedestrian-only streets are being discussed for parts of Rosslyn and Courthouse. [Arlington County]

White Squirrel Hit By Car? — A commenter says an albino squirrel that was often seen in neighborhoods near Columbia Pike has been hit by a car and killed. [ARLnow]

Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok

Clarendon’s The Spirits of ’76 to Open in the ‘Next Few Weeks’

By Tim Regan
1/5

A new bar steeped in Americana and rustic patriotism is slated to open soon in Clarendon.

The Spirits of ’76 will open its doors at 3211 Washington Blvd over the “next few weeks,” according to owner Patrick Doody. George Kennedy, former general manager at Georgetown’s former Rhino Bar, is partnering with Doody to open the bar.

When the hangout finally opens, it will be a “small, intimate, cozy neighborhood bar” that specializes in whiskey and American comfort food like Maryland crab cakes and meatloaf, Doody said.

“We’re going to be heavy on bourbons and ryes. Definitely feature your old fashioneds and your manhattans,” Doody added. “All of your well-known and well-liked American standard cocktails will be made at the bar.”

Though the patriotic bar will be decked out in stained wood, exposed brick and a big American flag, Doody also plans to hang photos of Johnny Cash, JFK and Elvis Presley on the walls.

“In the bar, the decor will be presidential,” he explained. “A lot of Americana pop culture, as well.”

Doody, a veteran of next-door O’Sullivan’s, said he hopes The Spirits of ’76 can become a place where Clarendon residents will gather on a regular basis.

To achieve that goal, Doody said he’ll book local musicians and partner with local organizations. He’ll also pour drinks behind the bar and manage the business most days of the week.

“I believe in the neighborhood,” Doody said. “I’m trying to break the trend of smaller local places that have been shutting their doors.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Morning flight at Reagan National Airport (DCA)

E-CARE Event This Weekend — Arlington County will hold its biannual E-CARE recycling event this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Road). The event allows Arlington residents to drop off “household hazardous materials, bikes, small metal items, shoes, clothing and other recyclable items.” [Arlington County]

Arlington GOP Says No to Metro — The Arlington County Republican Committee voted to oppose a transportation bond on the local November ballot. GOP members objected to the portion of the bond that would fund Arlington’s obligatory share of Metro’s capital budget, saying that voting no would send a message to Metro’s management. [InsideNova]

Reminder: Hey Frase Podcast — The Hey Frase Podcast will be holding a live taping tonight at the Clarendon Ballroom. Hosts Sarah Fraser and Samy K will be interviewing the “King of Arlington,” A-Town Bar and Grill and Don Tito partner Scott Parker. They will also be giving away ARLnow t-shirts to a few lucky attendees before the show. [Facebook]

Changes at Ragtime — Long-time Courthouse watering hole Ragtime recently introduced new accordion windows that open the bar up to fresh air. “Perfect timing for fall,” Ragtime touted in a Facebook post last week. [Facebook]

The Hey Frase Live Show is Coming to Clarendon

Hey Frase Clarendon live show banner

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Funny and creatively vulgar, Hey Frase is a socially relevant ride with an everyday perspective on pop culture and current events that (unlike radio), now you can see to believe.

This coming Friday, join hosts Sarah Fraser and Samy K — yes, THAT Sarah and Samy K — for the Hey Frase Live Show at the Clarendon Ballroom.

If you loved listening to these former morning show co-hosts on HOT 99.5, and most recently, the STM Show on 107.3, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you re-fall in love with them sans censorship. As a live show, it’s more than a podcast, it’s a party!

In the past, each live show has featured special guests like recording artist Traci Braxton, Real Housewives star Ashley Darby, reality star Omarosa, and “sexpert” Reba the Diva.

So who will Hey Frase invite to the stage for their first show in Arlington? How about restaurateur, lifestyle entrepreneur and publicly proclaimed “King of Arlington,” Scott Parker!

If you’ve ever had to fight the night crowds in front of Don Tito in Clarendon, you can thank Scott Parker. If you’ve ever “Sunday Funday’d” so hard at A-Town that it went to Monday, you can thank Scott Parker.

Scott has had a remarkable social and economic impact on the Arlington community, so Sarah and Samy will find out the secret to this JMU grad’s success and unofficially crown him the “King of Arlington.”

Tickets are currently on sale for $25, and it is advised to get them in advance because the Hey Frase Live Show is known to sell out.

Click here to purchase tickets!

Show Details: September 23rd at Clarendon Ballroom

6 p.m.: Pre-show happy hour starts on the rooftop.
7 p.m.: Doors officially open. Guests can order food and drinks for delivery to their seats.
8 p.m.: Show starts.
9 p.m.: Meet and greet the show and take pics.

Binge listen to latest Hey Frase episodes so you’re all caught up!

The preceding was a sponsored post.

Carpool Sold But Will Remain Open for a Few Months

By ARLnow.com

Carpool (photo via Facebook)Popular Ballston bar Carpool has been sold to developer Penzance and is set to be replaced by a 22-story-apartment building.

The sale closed on Friday, said co-owner Mark Handwerger. The good news? Carpool is expected to remain open for a few more months.

“CarPool has leased back the property for a period of time, and the bar will remain open through at least the end of November,” Handwerger said.

In August, groups that used Carpool as a gathering spot for things like football games and other regularly-scheduled social events were told that Carpool was likely to close within a few weeks.

Drunk Clarendon Bar-Goer Tries to Fight the Law (And the Law Won)

By ARLnow.com

Police car (file photo)A 25-year-old Arlington man was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly trying to pick a fight with police.

According to an Arlington County Police Department crime report, the man “attempted to strike an officer and pull the officer to the ground,” while the officer was assisting with crowd control in Clarendon around bar closing time.

From ACPD:

ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER, 160826007, 2800 block of N. Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 1:48 a.m. on August 26, officers responded to the area to assist with crowd control during restaurant closing time. An intoxicated male suspect approached the officers and attempted to start a confrontation. The male suspect became disorderly and when officers attempted to arrest him for Drunk In Public, he attempted to strike an officer and pull the officer to the ground. Francisco Xavier Andrade, 25, of Arlington VA was arrested and charged with Assault on Police (x2), Failure to ID, and Drunk in Public. He was held on no bond.

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