Friday, June 09, 2006

A Message From Palace of Wonders

Received via email:

Friends, family ---

At 7pm tonight, I will be opening "The Palace of Wonders" --- a circus-inspired bar where you will be able to have a drink with friends amidst a collection of oddities and curiosities: from the World's only unicorn to Joseph Merrick, the elephant man! Soon, we will be featuring sideshow performances -- sword-swallowers,
burlesque dancers, and everything from hoola-hoop contests to arm-wrestling competitions. But until then, come enjoy the space and our unique collection! We are located at 1210 H Street NE, about a mile from Union Station. If you need any more info, feel free to call me at (617) 785.5052.

Bring your friends, and pass the word along to anyone you know in DC!!!

Hope to see you all TONIGHT!!!
Getinet

10 comments:

culocho said...

Ooof.

Anonymous said...

I went by during the day on Saturday. Owner was very friendly and the bar was really cool.

I would encourgae all to check it out. It even has outdoor seating on the upstairs back patio.

Anonymous said...

I too went by on Saturday and echo those comments. So far it is my favorite place on H.

Anonymous said...

is there a website yet?

Anonymous said...

I am excited to see the place from the inside and will be heading there this week. The bag piper on Friday night was a nice touch!
JL

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe Hoya- Cut the guy a break! He went to school in Boston-so I'm guessing it's a cell #. And really-how many people in DC are originally from here??

He's also redoing house on K Street NE and from the amount of work he's putting into it- it looks like he plans to be here for a while.

Anonymous said...

is it the house near 6th street.

Anonymous said...

I especially love the "America First, The Rest of the World Later" banner prominently hanging above the middle of the bar. (Or whatever it says. That's the essence of it, and very close to verbatim.)

I wonder if Mr. Boston thinks that's just a piece of "funny" kitsch. Is it a coded message to the immigrant folks in the neighborhood, that they aren't welcome? Is is a reflection of his political beliefs? Or merely a stunning example of ignorance and bad taste?

I can almost hear the boosters now: Why are you so uptight about a bunch of politically correct bulls**t? It's a shiny new bar! With outdoor seating! And a patio! And bagpipers!

And you know what? They're right. After all, it's (still) a free country. If you are untroubled by such thoughts, by all means, enjoy.

inked said...

I don't recall the banner, but I think there are plenty of more benign ways of interpreting its presence than assuming that it's an anti-immigrant screed. Two interpretations that spring to mind for the wording you supplied might be:
1. The suggesting that the bar is going to take the world by storm (which seems the likely meaning)
2. a commentary on the current political behavior of the US.

You could always ask the owner. His name is Getinet Bantayehu.

Anonymous said...

I know this is coming in way after the discussion, but the "America First" banner dates from WWII, the reason for the jingoistic "the rest of the world after." But it's the other side that always cracked me up (and the reason I acquired it to begin with): "Entrance - Watch Your Step." Oh, too too true, no?