This is a follow-up to the earlier posting of Commissioner Marc Borbely's question to a couple of neighborhood listservs about recent applications for liquor licenses on the 1200 & 1300 blocks of H Street.
Wow, Marc's question has really generated a lot of interest. By my count so far I have received emails (listserv only) from 17 individuals explicitly supporting, or opposing Joe Englert's plan for H Street (I'm calling it that because 5 of the establishments in question are either his, or associated with him). Of those 17, 13 have written in support of the bars, and 4 have strongly objected, or expressed reservations. Seeing a larger, more concrete (we're seeing actual bar descriptions here, not just zoning overlays), plan seems to have really gotten people thinking (and talking) about their visions for H Street. I think this is great getting to really see what people are envisioning.
Personally, I am going to come down strongly in favor of Joe Englert's plan. I've been to a number of his bars, and I really like them. It looks like he has plans to cater to different groups on H Street, which is certainly a good thing. I support Joe Englert's plan because I know he has the experience, funding, and connections to do something, and do it right. I think we have all seen plenty of developers around here who just seem to run out of steam halfway through a job (leaving empty, or worse half deconstructed buildings that just sit there). Joe Englert has a strong reputation for working with communities. If you are concerned (and I know we all are) about irresponsible/unresponsive bar owners coming to H Street, then the best possible thing we can do is have a guy like Joe Englert come in as an owner. Some people don't want any bars on H Street, but I don't think this is realistic. If we want a thriving arts & entertainment district we need bars. People want, particularly if they have to go a bit out of there way, an area where they can spend the whole evening. You need restaurants, shows, coffee shops, & bars (at minimum). It will mean more foot traffic for H Street, which will be good news for businesses (at least those with evening hours). Plus, I like to go out, and bars are a big part of going out. I think a lot of people from the neighborhood would be happy to frequent bars on H Street, as opposed to having to go to some other entertainment district. I know I hate it when friends come to my house and I have to tell them there just isn't much close-by once the conversation turns to going out. I've heard the trash argument before, but do you really think that having these bars on H would make the problem worse? If so, go stand outside Joe Englert's bars in other parts of the city. Think about other areas similar to H Street, but that currently do have thriving entertainment scenes. 14th Street is hardly pristine, but I don't think you can blame that on the Black Cat. We need these bars. H Street can't support just restaurants (especially if we refuse to give them liquor licenses) because we don't have the foot traffic right now. Besides, restaurants operate on notoriously thin margins anyway, and alcohol sales make it lot easier for them to survive. We need the full entertainment package, both to bring us to H Street (be honest), as well as to bring others here. That's how you make an area successful, by giving people everything they want.
6 comments:
This guy builds the bar version of a taco bell and we are suppposed to be thrilled? Someone else described his places as dives and it sounds like he will just build more of them on the 1200 and 1300 block of H. Somehow H street is not good enough for anything else.The saturation of so many bars in two blocks will mean that nothing else can afford to locate there.
Before we jump to conclusions, let's hear what he is proposing. All the applications will be vetted through our ANC. First stop, May 17 at our Alcohol Beverage and Licensing Committee meeting (Sherwood Rec Center at 7:00pm). Second stop, June 9, at our Commission meeting (Miner Elementary at 7:00pm). At both meetings, folks are welcome to attend and provide input. All input will be included in the minutes for the record. And unlike other ANCs, our committee consists of residents in our community. So, Englert has to convince not only the committee of residents but the elected commissioners as well. Also, please see my note on the difference between taverns and restaurants. Yes, it does appear to be an ambitious plan. Clearly, Englert wouldn’t be doing this if he thought he would lose his shirt. That being said, we need to make sure we don’t get something we can’t live with either.
I think the Taco Bell version of a bar would be something more like Hooters, or Coyote Ugly (places I would certainly not thrilled about). Joe Englert does build dive bars, although his Rock and Roll and Roll Hotel sounds like a bit of a departure. I think when people say "dive bar," that they don't mean it in a pejorative sense. People say dive bar because it conveys a sense of an informal space with a sense of authenticity (essentially as un-Taco Bell as one can get). When I call a favorite bar a dive I just mean it is an unpretentious place where I don't have to dress up, or worry about standing in line to get in. Joe Englert's bars are great. If you don't believe me just stop in a Lucky bar this Saturday afternoon. Good beer, good burgers, and laid back atmosphere.
i think its funny that there's even the thought that bars will make h street trashier.
people, thats funny.
and for people opposed to bars on h street for other reasons, do you understand the ecomonics of a thriving commercial neighborhood?
in your vision of a healthy h street, what do you envision?
i'm betting its not whats currently there.
I would say the vision of H Street retail is one that is more diverse on a variety of retail categories. I.e., more restaurants instead of carryouts. Retail from a variety of ranges. I've actually written about this more extensively than anybody. I do think that people are committed to diverse quality retail. I just don't think people see much diversity or quality. As far as dive bars go, maybe I just have no sense of quality. I would love to have a place like Wonderland (11th and Kenyon NW) on H Street. I do think the points that people have made about Joe's places in terms of food are reasonable and that is something that should be raised--getting a commitment for higher quality food than his places normally provide. Not that I have ever been to Ugly Mug on 8th Street SE, but they actually have a high-quality chef. It's completely possible to have good food in a tavern atmosphere. And as Stewart Davidson (a founder of Clyde's) said famously and was recounted in his obituaries in both the New York Times and the Washington Post--"It's more fun to eat in a saloon than it is to drink in a restaurant."
The 1300 Block of H Street has, for better or worse, been my backyard for the past 6 years. I personally welcome the thought of eating and drinking establishments on H Street. If the 12/1300 blocks are truly to become an Arts and Entertainment District, bars and restaurants are an absolutely necessary ingredient.
You may want to check out this link to see that, historically, this stretch of H Street has been home to bars and taverns.
H Street Taverns
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