I'm glad most of the places got good reviews. The GOG's definitely want H St. to take off. However, the story about the $30 cover at XII does not make me want to go there anytime soon (can you say fleecing?). Paying even a $10 cover to get into the former Cluck-U seems a tad steep.
This latest story about XII does not reflect favorably on the owner. I'm beginning to think that the people who said the guy was shady might be right.
Well, not "shady" per se, but it certainly doesn't speak to him as being a savvy business owner. I've been one that wanted to see XII succeed but after numerous stories of bad service, outlandish covers, poor quality and my own relatively uninspiring visit to the place, I can't say I'd be too disturbed to see it go. Especially if someone else came in with a better vision to really make use of the great space they have upstairs...(paging Mr. Englert...)
Surely the $30 cover was just to go upstairs, right? Not that that's still not outrageous -- it is -- but it would be beyond outrageous to pay a $30 cover to sit downstairs and order food.
I can't wait to try the food from Langston B&G; everything I've heard has been good.
Cannot imagine why anyone would put a club on H Street that clearly caters to the Maryland drug dealers and Trinidad gangbangers and expect it to be successful and free of violent crime. I give this place a year, tops.
I never realized when I was eating there that me and my girlfriend and all the folks around me were Trinidad gangbangers or Maryland drug dealers. Wow. Just wow.
If you have some concrete evidence -- something I can go and check on myself -- indicating that that's their intended target audience, then by all means please let me know. If there's something important here I'm ignorant about, I'd sure like to know. Or are you just trolling?
To Chris "Oh gawd, here we go again" Metzler and all the other posts that accused us of trolling about XII a few months back, we will soon be able to say, "I told you so."
That was a decent article. I’ve met Duke and he’s a really nice guy. There are fun events at SOVA too. They just had a boogie babes event there on Monday.
He's saying that if XII fails, he'll claim it was because they were catering to gang-bangers/drug dealers, as he said above, and it will vindicate his racist assertion.
Like I said, Anon 2:53pm, if you've got concrete evidence supporting your point of view, something any of us who might wish to check can do so, by all means let us know about it. I don't think there's anyone here who wouldn't be interested. But in the absence of that, logically, why *should* anyone take comments like yours or Mr. Townsend's seriously?
I guess I've never understood why someone gets called a racist when they don't support the business plan/model and operation of XII when I wholeheartedly support other black owned businesses like Pap & Pety's, The Martini Lounge, and Sidamos.
As far as XII is concerned I will never get over the shenanigans of trying to pass Cluck-U as a non-fast food restraunt and personally it wouldn't bother me to see XII shut down. Just don't trust the owner and backers of the place at all.
Are you referencing the property with the sign out front: Studio 400 "Live Music Hall"? Please if anyone has information on the place, please post. Does this establishment serve alcohol? Someone mentioned to me that they thought they saw people playing pool. Tony?
Here's what Studio 400 has in mind: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/rob_55/14llyzr.jpg Their original thought was all-ages Go Go without alcohol.
Anon 4:57 writes: I guess I've never understood why someone gets called a racist when they don't support the business plan/model and operation of XII when I wholeheartedly support other black owned businesses like Pap & Pety's, The Martini Lounge, and Sidamos.
I'm not calling anyone a racist; but I still want to know what you know about the business plan/model and operation of XII that others of us don't. What is your evidence that the intent of the place is to attract and cater to bad actors, other than that you simply don't like the proprietor? I'm not saying you don't have such information; I just want to know what it is, because I don't like blindly accepting bad conclusions about other people. It's a straightforward question, but one that nobody seems willing to answer. Except . . .
George Townsend writes: Head to XII late on Friday night and count the Escalades...if we can pull you away from your Now with Bill Moyers reruns
1. Driving a Cadillac Escalade = bad guy? That's all the evidence one needs? I wonder why the police don't just round up everyone driving Escalades, then. A friend of mine from high school, one of the biggest geeks I know, drives an Escalade. I'll be sure to tell him he's a bad guy now; he'll get a kick out of that.
2. I've never even heard of "Now with Bill Moyers" (although I have heard of Bill Moyers; he's a TV host, right?); but I'm guessing that that comment was along the lines of your earlier stuff: someone asks you to substantiate what you say -- not even telling you that you're wrong, but simply asking you to substantiate it -- so you respond by insinuating something about their character or perspective. Jeebus.
Chris Metzler, your baiting is disappointing. Or your naïvety is astounding. One way or another it doesn't bode well for your future rapport.
XII is a small, urban nightclub that doesn't have a nightclub license (they are very limited in the District). Last I checked this means they have to derive 45% of their revenue from food, hence why you and your girlfriend were eating there. After the kitchen closes, XII takes on a much different identity, one that attracts clientelle with flashy cars (although my generalization was gleaming, Navigators, Escalades, chromed-out Hummers, etc. all fall into this category) and bad attitudes.
George Townsend writes: Chris Metzler, your baiting is disappointing. Or your naïvety is astounding. One way or another it doesn't bode well for your future rapport.
I have no idea what you're trying to say here -- "my future rapport"? I don't know what "baiting" you think I'm doing. OTOH, maybe I am naive; but if naivety is defined as not simply accepting someone's negative assertions about another person or place without asking for justification, then I'm happy to be naive, thanks. I've made clear several times that I'm not saying you (or anyone else worried about XII) is wrong, but merely that I'd like to see some such accusations substantiated. It's mind-boggling that that would be thought an unreasonable request.
No, I don't consider the cars that people drive an indication of their bad character. OTOH, I'd definitely see threats, fights, presence of weapons, etc. such an indication. Have you yourself routinely seen these at/around XII? I haven't; but I've usually left that end of H by 1 AM so it's certainly possible that bad stuff has happened after that. What have you routinely seen, other than flashy cars?
And yes, I do live south of H as opposed to north of H. What does that say about me?
I live a few blocks from XII and can attest that the "club" is a growing problem. It is just a matter of time before I start calling in complaints. To give you an example, just last week I wached some loser with a bad attidue stumble out of the bar, bark at a few people on the opposite corner of the street, throw down a handful of trash and open her car door to shield herself as she "discretely" pulled up her tent to urinate. She then banged into the car behind her as she drove off in a drunken haze. No respect. I would rather deal with homeless drunks than this nonsense.
That's becoming a catchphrase for you, isn't it? I don't know if I like it... You can tell I live North of H, BTW, not by my comments, but by my handle.
It is ridiculous that everyone wants to draw a lot of NEGATIVE attention to a very good establishment. If you are so hell bent on it being a bad place, do not spend your money there. The solution is very simple.
The comment about Escalades and Hummers being out side is obsurd. Just because people with money choose to spend their hard earned dollar at Twelve and they drive "flashy cars" as stated, does not mean they are gang bangers and dope dealers.
I guess no one stands outside the R&R on any given night. I see DRUNKS stagger outside all the time. No one mentioned on any of these blogs about the fights that have broken out in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of H Street where your so called "better places" to go are. No one mentioned how someone got thrown through a freaking window at one of these spots but that's okay. There hasn't been one incident to date at XII and just because someone is outside causing commotion, well that can happen anywhere.
I am so sick of the BAD comments about XII.
The other comments about the cover charges, happen on nights where there are events or individuals have rented it as a Venue. You don't like the price, don't go inside. It's very simple.
Where there is alcohol involved there is always a potential problem, keep that in mind. However, just because XII is a black owned business does not give you all the right to file complaints, make up lies, bad mouth, and draw negative attention to the establishment. It's just plain wrong.
We've had these references to guys ready to stab each other outside of XII. Did anyone actually see weapons? Or were there just threats of stabbing? Or were there just belligerent drunk guys mouthing off outside?
And frankly, you don't need clubs or bars for assholes to piss all over H Street. One recent evening during the week I walked down the 1300 block of H with a friend. This was around 7pm and we were on the way to a meeting at SOVA. We watched some creep, I didn't catch the license because we'd already passed the car when we realized what he was doing, walk up and piss through the fence of the church on the south side of the block. I loudly referred to him as an ASS in passing, but I hesitate to say much more because they sometimes turn around, and I really don't need to see that, plus they typically act like it's some kind of God given right to just pee wherever they feel and get belligerent. At any rate, this guy was decently well dressed and driving down the street when he felt the sudden compulsion to park his car to get out and pee onto the the church's property.
Anon 612, regarding the window thing. There was an incident with a band at the Red and Black where a band was playing and they had some underage friends who the bar refused to admit because they were underage. One of the band members got ugly because the bar refused to allow some underage kids entrance and [this is based on memory from a while back, so excuse me if it is a bit off] he pushed an employee of the Palace of Wonders, who was outside seeking to calm things down, backwards into a window. So nobody quite got thrown through a window. And the entire dispute arose because the bar was complying with the law. Needless to say, the band was hence-force banned from the bar. I've also seen incidents outside a bar around here where a band arrived with beer in tow [i.e., not from the bar] and proceeded to unload equipment from the street with beer in hand. As soon as she saw it the bartender rushed outside and made the offending band get rid of the open containers.
These are great examples of how incidents can occur anywhere, and sometimes not when the parties have even all been inside the bar at all. We do need ample security and police on the street.
No legitimate business owner, and no SMART business owner, desires illegal activity in, or outside of their establishment. I do agree that there appears to be some unfair targeting of certain businesses where there is record of any violence. I hope people will be mature and take a step back before they make accusations based on innuendo and prejudice. I've now been to XII twice, and both times it was pretty tame with a crowd decidedly older than me [I'm 29].
H is a long street with lots of room for a variety of places. If a particular place becomes an issue, or if someone with a bad track record seeks to open a place, I hope, and know, that the ANC will intercede. But outside of that, I think we should give people the benefit of the doubt. I think with XII people sometimes see the strobe light [I think that might not be the right term, but I'm at a loss on this one] from the outside and assume it's more of a club. Really, the strobe light is just placed right next to the window. It isn't so pervasive from the inside. In fact, you don't actually notice it that much when you are in the space. At any rate, strong Voluntary Agreements are in place on H, and when, and if, such agreements are violated, action will be taken. If you see problems my advice is to email your ANC person and to document, by which I mean writing, not necessarily photos, what you have seen occur.
I recall the questions about which nightclub the guys who were shot on Holbrook might have attended that night. If you read the most recent stories you will know that two of the guys were regulars at Rose's Dream Despite what the article states, Rose's is not so much a night club, as just a low-key bar. I've been there and it is very chill with an older crowd. The owners are very friendly, by the way. It sounds, from the last Post article like two of the guys planned to go out somewhere that they never specified. They were 24 and 35 and both mildly mentally impaired. It appears that they may have met up with a casual friend, and government employee, at some point and he may have given them a ride home. Though police initially thought this may have arisen from a dispute at an unknown club, they now seem to be working on the theory that someone followed the car from the gas station [BP on Florida] and opened fire on the vehicle. It appears the initial shots killed the driver [around 30 shell casings were found] and prompted the other two men to exit the vehicle and flee for cover. They were both felled by mutiple gunshot wounds and died of their injuries close to the SUV. Thus far I'm am not aware of any mention of suspects or any substantiated motive. One of the victims had a squeaky clean record, one had been charged with two assaults where the charges were later dropped, and the government employee had a couple of old drug charges, and one from last summer. The Post reports that he was a GS-12.
33 comments:
link?
http://tinyurl.com/3rutqh
I'm glad most of the places got good reviews. The GOG's definitely want H St. to take off. However, the story about the $30 cover at XII does not make me want to go there anytime soon (can you say fleecing?). Paying even a $10 cover to get into the former Cluck-U seems a tad steep.
This latest story about XII does not reflect favorably on the owner.
I'm beginning to think that the people who said the guy was shady might be right.
Well, not "shady" per se, but it certainly doesn't speak to him as being a savvy business owner. I've been one that wanted to see XII succeed but after numerous stories of bad service, outlandish covers, poor quality and my own relatively uninspiring visit to the place, I can't say I'd be too disturbed to see it go. Especially if someone else came in with a better vision to really make use of the great space they have upstairs...(paging Mr. Englert...)
Surely the $30 cover was just to go upstairs, right? Not that that's still not outrageous -- it is -- but it would be beyond outrageous to pay a $30 cover to sit downstairs and order food.
I can't wait to try the food from Langston B&G; everything I've heard has been good.
When XII opens the rooftop terrace, we're having a "Readers of Frozen Tropics" night.
Maybe he'll even waive the cover charge if we say, "Inked sent us!"
Cannot imagine why anyone would put a club on H Street that clearly caters to the Maryland drug dealers and Trinidad gangbangers and expect it to be successful and free of violent crime. I give this place a year, tops.
Oh gawd, here we go again.
I never realized when I was eating there that me and my girlfriend and all the folks around me were Trinidad gangbangers or Maryland drug dealers. Wow. Just wow.
If you have some concrete evidence -- something I can go and check on myself -- indicating that that's their intended target audience, then by all means please let me know. If there's something important here I'm ignorant about, I'd sure like to know. Or are you just trolling?
Chris:
I always assumed you were more of a West Coast banger.
Is that not the case?
Does mash come with the bangers?
To Chris "Oh gawd, here we go again" Metzler and all the other posts that accused us of trolling about XII a few months back, we will soon be able to say, "I told you so."
That was a decent article. I’ve met Duke and he’s a really nice guy. There are fun events at SOVA too. They just had a boogie babes event there on Monday.
anon 2:53, what did you post about XII that was amazingly prolific?
He's saying that if XII fails, he'll claim it was because they were catering to gang-bangers/drug dealers, as he said above, and it will vindicate his racist assertion.
Like I said, Anon 2:53pm, if you've got concrete evidence supporting your point of view, something any of us who might wish to check can do so, by all means let us know about it. I don't think there's anyone here who wouldn't be interested. But in the absence of that, logically, why *should* anyone take comments like yours or Mr. Townsend's seriously?
You know something we don't? Let's hear it!
I guess I've never understood why someone gets called a racist when they don't support the business plan/model and operation of XII when I wholeheartedly support other black owned businesses like Pap & Pety's, The Martini Lounge, and Sidamos.
As far as XII is concerned I will never get over the shenanigans of trying to pass Cluck-U as a non-fast food restraunt and personally it wouldn't bother me to see XII shut down. Just don't trust the owner and backers of the place at all.
Does anyone know what's going on with the 400 Lounge or whatever it's called at 4th and H?
at first i was surprised that there's no mention of sticky rice, but upon reflection that's probably a good thing. that place is ALWAYS packed!
ummm, they mentioned Sticky Rice and linked to the article they did on it last week.
anyway, I enjoyed the guide.
The area's commissioner (Tony) went to check out the place on wednesday.
I bumped into him on his way out there. He was set on business, and didn't have much time to chat, so that's all I know.
He seemed adamant that the establishment was within all legal boundaries.
I'm sure he'll be reporting on it at some point.
I'm referencing the property on 4th and H.
Are you referencing the property with the sign out front: Studio 400 "Live Music Hall"? Please if anyone has information on the place, please post. Does this establishment serve alcohol? Someone mentioned to me that they thought they saw people playing pool. Tony?
Why is 400 Hst NE allowed to park on the sidewalk? That can't be legal Tony.
Head to XII late on Friday night and count the Escalades...if we can pull you away from your Now with Bill Moyers reruns
Here's what Studio 400 has in mind:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/rob_55/14llyzr.jpg
Their original thought was all-ages Go Go without alcohol.
Anon 4:57 writes: I guess I've never understood why someone gets called a racist when they don't support the business plan/model and operation of XII when I wholeheartedly support other black owned businesses like Pap & Pety's, The Martini Lounge, and Sidamos.
I'm not calling anyone a racist; but I still want to know what you know about the business plan/model and operation of XII that others of us don't. What is your evidence that the intent of the place is to attract and cater to bad actors, other than that you simply don't like the proprietor? I'm not saying you don't have such information; I just want to know what it is, because I don't like blindly accepting bad conclusions about other people. It's a straightforward question, but one that nobody seems willing to answer. Except . . .
George Townsend writes: Head to XII late on Friday night and count the Escalades...if we can pull you away from your Now with Bill Moyers reruns
1. Driving a Cadillac Escalade = bad guy? That's all the evidence one needs? I wonder why the police don't just round up everyone driving Escalades, then. A friend of mine from high school, one of the biggest geeks I know, drives an Escalade. I'll be sure to tell him he's a bad guy now; he'll get a kick out of that.
2. I've never even heard of "Now with Bill Moyers" (although I have heard of Bill Moyers; he's a TV host, right?); but I'm guessing that that comment was along the lines of your earlier stuff: someone asks you to substantiate what you say -- not even telling you that you're wrong, but simply asking you to substantiate it -- so you respond by insinuating something about their character or perspective. Jeebus.
Chris Metzler, your baiting is disappointing. Or your naïvety is astounding. One way or another it doesn't bode well for your future rapport.
XII is a small, urban nightclub that doesn't have a nightclub license (they are very limited in the District). Last I checked this means they have to derive 45% of their revenue from food, hence why you and your girlfriend were eating there. After the kitchen closes, XII takes on a much different identity, one that attracts clientelle with flashy cars (although my generalization was gleaming, Navigators, Escalades, chromed-out Hummers, etc. all fall into this category) and bad attitudes.
Do you live south of H or something?
George Townsend writes: Chris Metzler, your baiting is disappointing. Or your naïvety is astounding. One way or another it doesn't bode well for your future rapport.
I have no idea what you're trying to say here -- "my future rapport"? I don't know what "baiting" you think I'm doing. OTOH, maybe I am naive; but if naivety is defined as not simply accepting someone's negative assertions about another person or place without asking for justification, then I'm happy to be naive, thanks. I've made clear several times that I'm not saying you (or anyone else worried about XII) is wrong, but merely that I'd like to see some such accusations substantiated. It's mind-boggling that that would be thought an unreasonable request.
No, I don't consider the cars that people drive an indication of their bad character. OTOH, I'd definitely see threats, fights, presence of weapons, etc. such an indication. Have you yourself routinely seen these at/around XII? I haven't; but I've usually left that end of H by 1 AM so it's certainly possible that bad stuff has happened after that. What have you routinely seen, other than flashy cars?
And yes, I do live south of H as opposed to north of H. What does that say about me?
Last weekend there were two juiced up thugs threatening to stab one another outside XII. Jawing is pretty much par for the course.
I live a few blocks from XII and can attest that the "club" is a growing problem. It is just a matter of time before I start calling in complaints. To give you an example, just last week I wached some loser with a bad attidue stumble out of the bar, bark at a few people on the opposite corner of the street, throw down a handful of trash and open her car door to shield herself as she "discretely" pulled up her tent to urinate. She then banged into the car behind her as she drove off in a drunken haze. No respect. I would rather deal with homeless drunks than this nonsense.
"Do you live south of H or something?"
That's becoming a catchphrase for you, isn't it? I don't know if I like it... You can tell I live North of H, BTW, not by my comments, but by my handle.
Well, well....here we go about XII again...
It is ridiculous that everyone wants to draw a lot of NEGATIVE attention to a very good establishment. If you are so hell bent on it being a bad place, do not spend your money there. The solution is very simple.
The comment about Escalades and Hummers being out side is obsurd. Just because people with money choose to spend their hard earned dollar at Twelve and they drive "flashy cars" as stated, does not mean they are gang bangers and dope dealers.
I guess no one stands outside the R&R on any given night. I see DRUNKS stagger outside all the time. No one mentioned on any of these blogs about the fights that have broken out in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of H Street where your so called "better places" to go are. No one mentioned how someone got thrown through a freaking window at one of these spots but that's okay. There hasn't been one incident to date at XII and just because someone is outside causing commotion, well that can happen anywhere.
I am so sick of the BAD comments about XII.
The other comments about the cover charges, happen on nights where there are events or individuals have rented it as a Venue. You don't like the price, don't go inside. It's very simple.
Where there is alcohol involved there is always a potential problem, keep that in mind. However, just because XII is a black owned business does not give you all the right to file complaints, make up lies, bad mouth, and draw negative attention to the establishment. It's just plain wrong.
Two quick things-
We've had these references to guys ready to stab each other outside of XII. Did anyone actually see weapons? Or were there just threats of stabbing? Or were there just belligerent drunk guys mouthing off outside?
And frankly, you don't need clubs or bars for assholes to piss all over H Street. One recent evening during the week I walked down the 1300 block of H with a friend. This was around 7pm and we were on the way to a meeting at SOVA. We watched some creep, I didn't catch the license because we'd already passed the car when we realized what he was doing, walk up and piss through the fence of the church on the south side of the block. I loudly referred to him as an ASS in passing, but I hesitate to say much more because they sometimes turn around, and I really don't need to see that, plus they typically act like it's some kind of God given right to just pee wherever they feel and get belligerent. At any rate, this guy was decently well dressed and driving down the street when he felt the sudden compulsion to park his car to get out and pee onto the the church's property.
Anon 612, regarding the window thing. There was an incident with a band at the Red and Black where a band was playing and they had some underage friends who the bar refused to admit because they were underage. One of the band members got ugly because the bar refused to allow some underage kids entrance and [this is based on memory from a while back, so excuse me if it is a bit off] he pushed an employee of the Palace of Wonders, who was outside seeking to calm things down, backwards into a window. So nobody quite got thrown through a window. And the entire dispute arose because the bar was complying with the law. Needless to say, the band was hence-force banned from the bar. I've also seen incidents outside a bar around here where a band arrived with beer in tow [i.e., not from the bar] and proceeded to unload equipment from the street with beer in hand. As soon as she saw it the bartender rushed outside and made the offending band get rid of the open containers.
These are great examples of how incidents can occur anywhere, and sometimes not when the parties have even all been inside the bar at all. We do need ample security and police on the street.
No legitimate business owner, and no SMART business owner, desires illegal activity in, or outside of their establishment. I do agree that there appears to be some unfair targeting of certain businesses where there is record of any violence. I hope people will be mature and take a step back before they make accusations based on innuendo and prejudice. I've now been to XII twice, and both times it was pretty tame with a crowd decidedly older than me [I'm 29].
H is a long street with lots of room for a variety of places. If a particular place becomes an issue, or if someone with a bad track record seeks to open a place, I hope, and know, that the ANC will intercede. But outside of that, I think we should give people the benefit of the doubt. I think with XII people sometimes see the strobe light [I think that might not be the right term, but I'm at a loss on this one] from the outside and assume it's more of a club. Really, the strobe light is just placed right next to the window. It isn't so pervasive from the inside. In fact, you don't actually notice it that much when you are in the space. At any rate, strong Voluntary Agreements are in place on H, and when, and if, such agreements are violated, action will be taken. If you see problems my advice is to email your ANC person and to document, by which I mean writing, not necessarily photos, what you have seen occur.
I recall the questions about which nightclub the guys who were shot on Holbrook might have attended that night. If you read the most recent stories you will know that two of the guys were regulars at Rose's Dream Despite what the article states, Rose's is not so much a night club, as just a low-key bar. I've been there and it is very chill with an older crowd. The owners are very friendly, by the way. It sounds, from the last Post article like two of the guys planned to go out somewhere that they never specified. They were 24 and 35 and both mildly mentally impaired. It appears that they may have met up with a casual friend, and government employee, at some point and he may have given them a ride home. Though police initially thought this may have arisen from a dispute at an unknown club, they now seem to be working on the theory that someone followed the car from the gas station [BP on Florida] and opened fire on the vehicle. It appears the initial shots killed the driver [around 30 shell casings were found] and prompted the other two men to exit the vehicle and flee for cover. They were both felled by mutiple gunshot wounds and died of their injuries close to the SUV.
Thus far I'm am not aware of any mention of suspects or any substantiated motive. One of the victims had a squeaky clean record, one had been charged with two assaults where the charges were later dropped, and the government employee had a couple of old drug charges, and one from last summer. The Post reports that he was a GS-12.
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