Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Red Palace to Close 1/1/2013

Palace 1 by Command Z
Palace 1, a photo by Command Z on Flickr (shared through the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool)
I was literally on the phone with a local business owner about the news when someone posted the press release on the Red Palace's (1210 H Street) Facebook page. The popular music/sideshow/burlesque venue is changing ownership, and might also be changing direction. They plan to hold a massive New Year's party that will also celebrate the bar's nearly seven years of delighting local audiences. Red Palace started life as two different bars. Palace of Wonders featured burlesque and sideshow acts, while Red and the Black offered live music, and a New Orleans vibe. The two businesses merged in 2010. The merger allowed for a real kitchen (awesome burgers), and a much larger performance space. Red Palace will continue to operate normal hours throughout the duration of 2012, so stop by and take in a show.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sad, and the real end of an era in a way. Loved the original Palace of Wonders and had some fun there. All bar--just like all of us--run their course eventually.

Where did all the curios and oddities go?

Chris said...


I've missed the original Palace of Wonders, and will miss the Red Palace. This sucks.

Anonymous said...

When we first moved here 5 years ago Ninja Warrior Happy Hour at the Red and the Black was our go to every Friday with Layla the bartender. I will miss this place.

Anonymous said...

Ugh. This was such a great go-to place... always booths available, even on weekends, when you wanted to talk with friends and avoid the d-bags.

ro said...

Kind of bummed. i got to see some really entertaining shows at Palace of Wonders. sometimes i would just walk over there on a whim just see what was going on and was never disappointed. the expanded Red Palace was nice but seemed to lose some of that quirkiness. We need more weird places on H st.

Anonymous said...

probably the first of many H Street bar/restaurants closing, unfortunately...oversaturated market and the rent is too damn high.

inked said...

11:36,
I'm sure it's going to be replaced by another restaurant/bar (probably one with live music).

pat said...

the oddities need to move a bit farther east. I'd suggest
either River Terrace or Benning and 23rd.

Anonymous said...

KEEP H STRRET WEIRD, please