Bars You Miss

[Joe Riley]

Shoemakers.

(No, I'm not THAT old, but I sure as hell miss the idea behind Shoemakers. Who knows how long it would have lasted had the Volstead Act not killed all of the joy.)

I miss the OLD Old Ebbitt.

[Josh Radigan]

Shoemakers.

(No, I'm not THAT old, but I sure as hell miss the idea behind Shoemakers. Who knows how long it would have lasted had the Volstead Act not killed all of the joy.)

I miss the OLD Old Ebbitt.

Mike baker's is seconded, along with Whitey's. I remember creeping down the side allley and sliding into the back door at an early age for Onion rings and stale pitchers of beer.

[TedE]

Was that the place that seemed to change names every few years? I think it was The Dome at one point (the Do Me, as the GW kids called it...)

Was this also the place that had a vaguely Aussie-themed name? Would have been circa '94. The Down Under perhaps?

[adambernbach]

Kaffa House on 13th & U.

[Michael Landrum]

No, no. I think you got it exactly right.

Oh my god, does that mean that maybe...

[jayandstacey]

Was this also the place that had a vaguely Aussie-themed name? Would have been circa '94. The Down Under perhaps?

And was it also the Quigley's place I referenced earlier?

As I recall, it had a quite small opening to the street and a small bar at that level. But only a dozen people could sit in that area. A huge flight of stairs led down to a cavern of a place, with a large open area at the foot of the stairs and a circular island bar further back from the stairs. During the day, that circular bar area's far wall opened to a food court area. At night, the foud court was closed off and the dining area was cleared for a dancefloor that could hold 200 ish.

The block it was on also had a metro stop on the corner of the building, but I think at night you had to come out of the metro to the street level, enter the bar and go back downstairs to get to the main bar.

I used to DJ at that place when a manager named "Franz" was there - he was of Carribean decent and came from Duddington's Underground (a capitol hill place) and brought me along with him. I'd play music for the kids, mostly top 40, and vaguely recall having my shirt off and standing/dancing precariously on top of some boxes behind the DJ booth, fairly high above the floor. I was a young guy then, but the crowd was REALLY young and may have let in under-agers with a wrist band or something like that. That's not a very sustainable model, and even in the best of times, the crowd level was really volitile - it seemed completely dependant on a few "cool" kids and if they decided to go out that night. If they instead went to a party or stayed in, only 1/3 the expected patrons would show up.

It isn't surprising that it changed names/hands many times - it isn't really in a populated area (offices mostly in the immediate vicinity) nor did it ever really invest in becoming a destination club, like the Spy Club (clubbers), 9:30 (live, hip music), Tracks (gay), the River Club (Georgetown aged chic) or the Yacht Club (home of Tommy the Matchmaker!).

[jayandstacey]

Mike baker's is seconded,

Baker's was the ferniest of fern bars! All wood, brass and ferns in there - like a Clydes.

Baker himself was cool. He had Goldy playing records there a lot - Goldy (Jeff Goldberg) later became a DJ on WBIG-Oldies 100 for many years, not sure where he is now. And the Dewey beach crowd used to have their annual matchmaking party at Baker's this time of year - house owners (or seasonal renters) would hold a kind of open house and people who wanted weeks in the shared houses would sign up over a beer and some 45s.

[Seanchai]

Baker's was the ferniest of fern bars! All wood, brass and ferns in there - like a Clydes.

Baker himself was cool. He had Goldy playing records there a lot - Goldy (Jeff Goldberg) later became a DJ on WBIG-Oldies 100 for many years, not sure where he is now. And the Dewey beach crowd used to have their annual matchmaking party at Baker's this time of year - house owners (or seasonal renters) would hold a kind of open house and people who wanted weeks in the shared houses would sign up over a beer and some 45s.

I worked at Mike Baker's for two lunch shifts while working full time in an Irish pub at night back in the early 90s. After paying more for dry-cleaning and Metro fares than I made in tips, I subsequently ended my tenure there forthwith.

[Mark Slater]

Baker's was the ferniest of fern bars! All wood, brass and ferns in there - like a Clydes.

I'm pretty sure The Greenery beat Baker's as the ferniest fern bar by a year or two. I had the unfortunate experience of working there for a few weeks in the late 70's. It was the first time I had encountered the "Egg Loaf" used for the spinach salads. This was old Golden Triangle - including the infamous Paradise Cafe (pre Rumors).

[TedE]

And was it also the Quigley's place I referenced earlier?

As I recall, it had a quite small opening to the street and a small bar at that level. But only a dozen people could sit in that area. A huge flight of stairs led down to a cavern of a place, with a large open area at the foot of the stairs and a circular island bar further back from the stairs. During the day, that circular bar area's far wall opened to a food court area. At night, the foud court was closed off and the dining area was cleared for a dancefloor that could hold 200 ish.

The block it was on also had a metro stop on the corner of the building, but I think at night you had to come out of the metro to the street level, enter the bar and go back downstairs to get to the main bar.

I used to DJ at that place when a manager named "Franz" was there - he was of Carribean decent and came from Duddington's Underground (a capitol hill place) and brought me along with him. I'd play music for the kids, mostly top 40, and vaguely recall having my shirt off and standing/dancing precariously on top of some boxes behind the DJ booth, fairly high above the floor. I was a young guy then, but the crowd was REALLY young and may have let in under-agers with a wrist band or something like that. That's not a very sustainable model, and even in the best of times, the crowd level was really volitile - it seemed completely dependant on a few "cool" kids and if they decided to go out that night. If they instead went to a party or stayed in, only 1/3 the expected patrons would show up.

It isn't surprising that it changed names/hands many times - it isn't really in a populated area (offices mostly in the immediate vicinity) nor did it ever really invest in becoming a destination club, like the Spy Club (clubbers), 9:30 (live, hip music), Tracks (gay), the River Club (Georgetown aged chic) or the Yacht Club (home of Tommy the Matchmaker!).

Quigley's Down Under! That was it. Absolutely was a GW bar, mostly because of their carding policy

[jayandstacey]

Quigley's Down Under! That was it. Absolutely was a GW bar, mostly because of their carding policy

Their "down under" theme consisted of a neon Foster's Lager sign and a boomerang hung behind the bar. <roll eyes>

[jayandstacey]

I worked at Mike Baker's for two lunch shifts while working full time in an Irish pub at night back in the early 90s. After paying more for dry-cleaning and Metro fares than I made in tips, I subsequently ended my tenure there forthwith.

Good call. Didn't seem like lunch was a strong suit there.

What pub?

I spent many, many weekends commuting up to Philly to DJ weekends at a place called the "Irish Pub" on 20th and Walnut - one of the greatest bars ever. But bars outside DC are off limits, so I won't mention it.

[JBag57]

Mike baker's is seconded, along with Whitey's. I remember creeping down the side allley and sliding into the back door at an early age for Onion rings and stale pitchers of beer.

Whitey's--where Tallula and EatBar now reside--does "Hawaii Five-O" strike a chord with anyone???

Jenkins Hill and Nards DJs--mostly blurry but great memories--one night they had a contest to name bands/musical acts containing the name of a U.S. President--our group of four came up with about 35 and won the contest (shooters and Nard's bicycle hats as prizes, wheeee!). The Dead Kennedys were just then receiving attention, and made our list.

[Tweaked]

I'll toss into the ring the Capitol Ballroom/Nation/Buzz on Friday nights...raver kids, open drug market, and top international DJs, all within 5 blocks of the Capitol Building.

Stupid baseball (and FOX 5 News)

[KMango]

I'll toss into the ring the Capitol Ballroom/Nation/Buzz on Friday nights...raver kids, open drug market, and top international DJs, all within 5 blocks of the Capitol Building.

Stupid baseball (and FOX 5 News)

I liked it better Thursday nights anyway.

(a completely different scene)

(for those just tuning in)

(and yes, roxy, others, could get mention...but beyond "bar")

[Seanchai]

Good call. Didn't seem like lunch was a strong suit there.

What pub?

I spent many, many weekends commuting up to Philly to DJ weekends at a place called the "Irish Pub" on 20th and Walnut - one of the greatest bars ever. But bars outside DC are off limits, so I won't mention it.

Murphy's of DC - tourist trap by and large but really the only bar in Woodley Park for a long time, so by default it became the local for a number of interesting folks.

[jayandstacey]

Whitey's--where Tallula and EatBar now reside--does "Hawaii Five-O" strike a chord with anyone???

Jenkins Hill and Nards DJs--mostly blurry but great memories--one night they had a contest to name bands/musical acts containing the name of a U.S. President--our group of four came up with about 35 and won the contest (shooters and Nard's bicycle hats as prizes, wheeee!). The Dead Kennedys were just then receiving attention, and made our list.

Ha!

That might have been me. Or maybe a guy named "Stretch." We used to do a lot of contests - my favorites:

- Show me an american flag (there's a tiny one on the back of a $10 bill)

- "my three songs" before WHFS was doing it - for instance, what do "Red Red Wine" (UB40) "I'm a Believer" (Monkees) and "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond) have in common? All were written by Neil Diamond.

- List all the car brands with animal names on a bev nap

- List all the state capitals on a bevnap.

- Ram your head into a wall, or drink the drips squeezed from the bar rag, or eat a cigarette butt or other such dumb stuff.

- Lip synch and not get booed.

and my two favorites:

- First lady to give me her shirt gets the shirt I'm giving away (yes, they'd do it), and

- The guy who shows me an ATM receipt with the lowest balance is most deserving of a freebie and really should be publicly ID'd for the ladies' sake. (saw some in the -$300 range)

Good times at Jenkins Hill and bars like it.

[leleboo]

- "my three songs" before WHFS was doing it - for instance, what do "Red Red Wine" (UB40) "I'm a Believer" (Monkees) and "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond) have in common? All were written by Neil Diamond.

It's probably so so sad that I completely would have won that question, right? :-)

[jayandstacey]

It's probably so so sad that I completely would have won that question, right? :-)

Sad and maybe a little disturbing. But you and your friends would have a free round of shots - and you could choose from between any of the shots options - red, yellow, green, orange, brown or pink. Whichever was your favorite.

[leleboo]

Sad and maybe a little disturbing. But you and your friends would have a free round of shots - and you could choose from between any of the shots options - red, yellow, green, orange, brown or pink. Whichever was your favorite.

Trivial Pursuit shots. Awesome. That game was always my weakness.

(In fact, being able to name the grandchildren* in "When I'm Sixty-Four" in a game landed me my very first highschool paramour--I won the game for our team and he was duly impressed).

Sadly, none of the bars I miss are in DC, but I kind of wish they were.

*Vera, Chuck, and Dave. The Beatles always pay off.

[Ferhat Yalcin]

I miss the chocolate hazelnut bar

[jayandstacey]

Trivial Pursuit shots. Awesome. That game was always my weakness.

(In fact, being able to name the grandchildren* in "When I'm Sixty-Four" in a game landed me my very first highschool paramour--I won the game for our team and he was duly impressed).

Sadly, none of the bars I miss are in DC, but I kind of wish they were.

*Vera, Chuck, and Dave. The Beatles always pay off.

Trivial Pursuit? I guess that was popular at the time...but no correlation. I just happened to work in bars that didn't bother saying the ingredients in the shots - you just ordered the color. Although...hadn't thought of this...I guess those are pretty close to the Trivial Pursuit wheel colors. I think. I was just trying to recall the shot colors. Red was the default, any other caused a heavy sigh from the bartender.

And yes, the Beatles do pay off. I made an OK living off the Beatles for a few years, selling their stuff.

[jayandstacey]

I miss the chocolate hazelnut bar

hehe - and I haven't been near the chin-up bar in 25 years!

[goldenticket]

Clarendon haunts of yesteryear: Rorotonga Rodeo, Amdo, and Strangeways.

[Tweaked]

That dank, venereal favorite, The Madhatter...because the newly relocated Madhatter serving pork belly with ponzu and braised shortribs just won't be the same.

[Heather]

Trivial Pursuit? I guess that was popular at the time...but no correlation. I just happened to work in bars that didn't bother saying the ingredients in the shots - you just ordered the color. Although...hadn't thought of this...I guess those are pretty close to the Trivial Pursuit wheel colors. I think. I was just trying to recall the shot colors. Red was the default, any other caused a heavy sigh from the bartender.

One of the three times I was ever thrown out of a bar was for getting toxically inebriated doing rounds of colors at Chaplins. (can anyone tell me where that was, and what it is now?) Now, that is one bar I don't miss at all.

[jayandstacey]

One of the three times I was ever thrown out of a bar was for getting toxically inebriated doing rounds of colors at Chaplins. (can anyone tell me where that was, and what it is now?) Now, that is one bar I don't miss at all.

Funny that doing what you're supposed to do - drink - in a bar...is exactly what can get you thrown out of a bar...

I've only been tossed once. In the French Quarter for Mardi Gras many moons ago, went into a karaoke place and got up for "Surfin USA." Had 3 girls behind me on backup vocals, and when we hit the instrumental part I yelled "tidal wave" and threw my full beer, including the plastic cup, out over the heads of the crowd. I was given a swift escort to the door. I guess they frowned upon wasting perfectly good beer.

And edit - I remember the name Chaplins but never worked or went there. Not sure where it was, but maybe not Georgetown - sounds too much like "Champions".

[Waitman]

One of the three times I was ever thrown out of a bar was for getting toxically inebriated doing rounds of colors at Chaplins. (can anyone tell me where that was, and what it is now?) Now, that is one bar I don't miss at all.

Got, I remember that place. Two-tone Black-on-orange mural of Chaplin as their sign?

I got thrown out of Peggy's Place -- next to the Post Pub, down the Street from the real Stoney's -- for knocking over a beer on the bar. Hookers, pressmen, lost tourists, a tough-ass chick behind the bar. I didn't argue.

Wandered with my friend over to the Silver Dollar Lounge. Anyone who can describe location and genre of that bar wins today's prize.

[bioesq]

Got, I remember that place. Two-tone Black-on-orange mural of Chaplin as their sign?

I got thrown out of Peggy's Place -- next to the Post Pub, down the Street from the real Stoney's -- for knocking over a beer on the bar. Hookers, pressmen, lost tourists, a tough-ass chick behind the bar. I didn't argue.

Wandered with my friend over to the Silver Dollar Lounge. Anyone who can describe location and genre of that bar wins today's prize.

If my ancient memory serves me well, I believe that joint was over on 13th Street, NW between M & N. Gently put, a training ground for young dancers who aspired to join, well... Alvin Ailey. I had a roommate who went to the Georgetown Medical School and was a frequent patron. For whatever reason, he decided to become an OB/GYN.

[Mr. Creosote]

Bardo Rodeo. It had some of the best, and worst beer in DC, depending on what batch you got. Dremo was never really as cool.

Yup. Still have my Marion Berry Lambic T-shirt. "Made with real Oregon Crackberries"

[Waitman]

If my ancient memory serves me well, I believe that joint was over on 13th Street, NW between M & N. Gently put, a training ground for young dancers who aspired to join, well... Alvin Ailey. I had a roommate who went to the Georgetown Medical School and was a frequent patron. For whatever reason, he decided to become an OB/GYN.

We have a winner.

Also acceptable: Urban Ecdysiast Academy

[dcs]

Dan Lynch on 2nd Avenue in New York. Bill Dicey. What a great bar.

Is this thread limited to DC?

[Let's make it so; otherwise, it will spiral out of control.

Cheers,

Dr. Killjoy]

Too bad. This thread has stalled.

[Jeff White]

The Vienna Inn. Chili dogs, draft beer and old high school buddies. It's still there, I think. I'm just not.

[goodeats]

The Vienna Inn. Chili dogs, draft beer and old high school buddies. It's still there, I think. I'm just not.

If we can manage it (forgot the it), there might be Vienna Inn stories to hear soon. Stay tuned.

Edited August 26, 2010 by goodeats

[mr food]

The Old Columbia Station in Adams Morgan. Saw lots of great music there including Danny Gatton who was always at his best . You could sit in the back and do whatever you liked while the music played and outside was a guy selling balloons late at night (that wasn't all he was selling). The Roundtable on Wisconsin had great drinks and a nice outside seating area. You got a bottle of mixer with your beverage-nice touch.

[The Hersch]

The Georgetown Grill, next to what is now Five Guys on Wisconsin Ave. I loved that its façade was painted pink. Among other things.

[PigglyWiggly]

Just saw this thread, and have to add... the Fishmarket in Georgetown? What a stinkhole, but never questioned my ID, an expired Pennsylvania drivers license that didn't look anything like me. Served Long Island Iced Teas in what appeared to me to be fishbowls. Nirvanah to a freshman at GW from PA who was really pumped about the 18 yo drinking age.

Also, what was that New Orleans- themed clubby place on M Street, in the Marriott? Adjacent to Blackie's? Many good nights dancing there. Never met anyone though, bunch of eurotrash.

And Poseurs? Nobody mentioned POSEURS?

[Barbara]

Also, what was that New Orleans- themed clubby place on M Street, in the Marriott? Adjacent to Blackie's? Many good nights dancing there. Never met anyone though, bunch of eurotrash.

De Ja Vu?

[pizza man]

I miss the seedy, dirty, stinky, cramped space that was the original 9:30 club, and the alley behind it.

[Heather]

And Poseurs? Nobody mentioned POSEURS?

That was a club, not a bar.

I miss the seedy, dirty, stinky, cramped space that was the original 9:30 club, and the alley behind it.

That was my second home for years. I still miss it.

I still miss the pre-television Fox & Hounds. It was like drinking in someone's basement rec room, except with the greatest jukebox ever. Double gin & tonic, and a turkey club sandwich from Trio's....

[saf]

Also, what was that New Orleans- themed clubby place on M Street, in the Marriott? Adjacent to Blackie's?

Lulu's

[pizza man]

That was my second home for years. I still miss it.

do I know you?

[Jeff White]

I miss the seedy, dirty, stinky, cramped space that was the original 9:30 club, and the alley behind it.

Is this the alley some call Booth's alley, behind Ford's or am I getting my alleys mixed up?

[The Hersch]

Does anyone remember a seedy little dive called Little Dell on Wilson Boulevard near the Courthouse in Arlington? I used to have lunch and a beer there now and then in the 70s. No idea when it closed, nor can I remember exactly which block it was on. It was like a worn-out shoe, tattered but comfortable.

[JMac]

Psyche Delly Bethesda. Saw Tex Rubinowitz and the Bad Boys there on my 18th birthday when it was legal to buy beer and wine at age 18. Drank Red Stripe beer from Jamaica. Great live music there, Nighhawks, Root Boy Slim, Nils Lofgren, Danny Gatton and on and on and on. On Cordell Ave. right across from WHFS studio in the Triangle Towers building when 'HFS actually played great music. It was the Tex Mex Cottonwood Cafe for a while, then a kosher steak place that did not last long and now it is Harp and Fiddle which used to be Flanagan's on Old Georgetown Rd. Harp and Fiddle is a pretty good local pub, especially for Bethesda. Don't go for the food though.

[Waitman]

Does anyone remember a seedy little dive called Little Dell on Wilson Boulevard near the Courthouse in Arlington? I used to have lunch and a beer there now and then in the 70s. No idea when it closed, nor can I remember exactly which block it was on. It was like a worn-out shoe, tattered but comfortable.

I think I was there once or twice, during a brief exile to the 'burbs. I'm picturing long neck Buds on ice...

[u-bet!]

Does anyone remember a seedy little dive called Little Dell on Wilson Boulevard near the Courthouse in Arlington? I used to have lunch and a beer there now and then in the 70s. No idea when it closed, nor can I remember exactly which block it was on. It was like a worn-out shoe, tattered but comfortable.

I remember a place like that, but I thought it was named after someone, like "Tom's Bar", or something like that..

How about the old Keyhole in Clarendon, near where the Red Top Cab garage is now? They were known for their chili, served in styrofoam cups.

[The Hersch]

How about the old Keyhole in Clarendon, near where the Red Top Cab garage is now?

I remember the Keyhole, but never set foot inside it, so I don't think I miss it.

[Seanchai]

I remember a place like that, but I thought it was named after someone, like "Tom's Bar", or something like that..

How about the old Keyhole in Clarendon, near where the Red Top Cab garage is now? They were known for their chili, served in styrofoam cups.

Ground meat chili, guaranteed to shoot through your body in an hour. Thank God I tried it in my early 20s; it might actually kill me today.

[burt_allman]

Hmmm...

The Hill:

Duddington's Underground on a Friday night,

Jenkin's Hill on a Saturday night

Midtown:

Flaps/Acme

Chadsey's

Samantha's and Mr Day's (are they still there?) and the rally in the ally (does that still happen?)

Mike Baker's

Quigley's (astonishingly young crowd, but I had some fun there)

Above and Beyond:

Ruffled Duck in Rehobeth - a fun but fleeting experiment

The Raindancer in Rockville - home of the up-and-coming Hootie and the Blowfish

I could list 50 more - and I have no idea what still exists, if any...