WP: Country Club in Spring?

The Post contains a short update on what's new and suggests that the H Street Country Club, which will open in the vacant space previously occupied by Phish Tea, will be open this spring. The Country Club is a tongue in cheek venture from Joe Englert and co. that will serve burgers and other American fare amidst a nineteen hole DC themed mini-golf course. Sorry about the barely literate version of this that was up earlier today, I got distracted miscomposition & didn't post the corrected version.

WP: What's Brewing on H?

The Post lavishes more attention on Dr. Granville's(1338 H Street), and also pays a visit to the Pug(1334 H Street). It sounds like the Pug is now serving up hot dogs though plans to serve paninis are still in the works.

Music Is Bulletproof

Collider @The Red & the Black

Hey, a friend sent me an email regarding this show tomorrow night (his friend is a member of Collider). It sounds like a cool show. Below is the blurb he sent.

Collider--a DC area hard rock band--is making their H Street debut at the Red & the Black (1212 H Street) tomorrow night with friends, Kilketura. Kilketura will start off the show at around 9pm. You can check out some of Collider's tunes at www.myspace.com/colliderdc. Cover is $8.

*****************************
UPDATE
*****************************

The band will start at 9pm, not 8:30 as previously reported. I just got word.

Reduced Tickets @the Atlas

Here's the info:

You’re invited!...

..to The Washington Savoyards dazzling production of Frank Lehar’s The Merry Widow!

The Washington Savoyards, Washington’s Light Opera Company, has recently relocated to their new and gleaming digs at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street.

They’re extending an invitation to their capital hill neighbors to come and see what’s new, by offering a discounted ticket rate of $25.00 to those who reside in the 20002 and 20003 zip codes, for the performances of Thursday, April 19 thru Sunday, April 22, 2007. Thursday – Saturday @ 8pm, Saturday and Sunday @ 2:30pm

The Merry Widow is appropriate for all ages and features a full orchestra, original sets and costume and fabulous local professional talent.

We look forward to seeing you at the theater!

Performances are held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street.

1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC.

Purchase on line at www.savoyards.org ; www.atlasarts.org or through the box office 202.399-7993

New Sign @Palace of Wonders

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's the new sign that recently went up at the Palace of Wonders (1210 H Street). By the way, if you haven't checked out their line-up recently you probably should. They've got a lot of new stuff. Trivia night and female arm wrestling have stuck around, and of course there are plenty of burlesque and sideshow type acts, but they've also got things like this:

Sunday, April 1st, 2007
Museum of Oddities Lecture Series presents PHRENOLOGY!
Doors 12pm
Price: Adults $5, Kids 7-11 $3

Featured Speaker and noted Lecturer Alexander Kensington explains the 19th century science of Phrenology, The Original Scientific Biometric of Morality.

Sunday, April 15th, 2007
Museum of Oddities Lecture Series presents OUTING THE SIDESHOW!
12pm Doors, 1pm Lecture
Price: Adults $5, Kids 7-11 $3

Internationally celebrated sideshow historian and lecturer James Taylor * asks the most important question about the sideshow businesss - “Can you really out the sideshow when the business is totally honest anyway?” - and then asks the audience to play along. Or meet him half way!


They've also added a monster movie night, and Kostume Karaoke (no cover for either).
*James Taylor opperated the Baltimore Museum that previously held many of the items now housed at Palace of Wonders.

******************************
UPDATE
******************************

Note that the museum at the Palace of Wonders now has its own website. The museum, which is open every first and third Sunday from First and third Sundays of every month from 12pm until 4pm, caters to all ages. Vistors can explore permanent collection of oddities, and also take in whatever lecture is offered that day.

Adults: $5 • Kids 7-11: $3
Kids under 6: FREE

Capital City Symphony Events

The Capital City Symphony has two great events coming up in the next two weeks!

Capital City Symphony Annual Swing Dance Gala and Silent Auction
"A Capital Affair"
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St. NE
Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
Come eat, drink, dance and shop to support the Capital City Symphony. The event features a silent auction and dancing to the popular music of Doug Bowles and the SingCo Rhythm Orchestra.
Advance tickets are $50 each, $85 for couples. Tickets include an open bar of beer and wine, food and dancing. All proceeds benefit the CCS. You can buy tickets on the Atlas Web site at http://www.atlasarts.org or at the box office. On the Web site, look for "A Capital Affair.'' The couples discount is taken just before purchase. Contact the orchestra at 202-399-7993 x120 or Gala Chair Kristin Jensen at
kjensen@bloomberg.net for more information.

Spring Concert: Ellington!
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St. NE
Sunday, March 18 at 5 p.m.
The orchestra will play music by Beethoven, Mozart and hometown hero Duke Ellington.
Advance tickets are $16 per person, $12 for students and seniors 65 and over and free to children under the age of 16 with paying adults. You can buy tickets on the Atlas Web site at http://www.atlasarts.org or at the box office.

Costumed Karaoke @Palace of Wonders?

According to this Post description of the recurring Kostume Karaoke event at Wonderland host Debbi Arseneaux may add a similar event to the line-up at Palace of Wonders (1210 H Street). Incidentally, Place of Wonders is definitely hosting a hula-hoop cabaret on Saint Patrick's Day.

CP Review: Majestic By Gwen

Read the City Paper review here. The Majestic is located at 1368 H Street. It also offers hand dancing and live music upstairs.

UBU Dance Party @Red & the Black

At the the Red & the Black (1212 H Street). Support your local dj (Mellie Mel lives in the neighborhood).
Spinning starts at 9:30pm and goes until 2am (doors open at 6pm).
Take the free Atlas Courtesy Shuttle from the bar to Union Station after the show (runs until 2:30am). Call 202-906-0697 for pick-up.

Atlas Events

A message from the Atlas:

This week we have two original shows running at the Atlas.

Wednesday February 14th-Sunday February 18th is the world premiere of the Gospel Musical He's Not Your Soul Mate. Written and directed by Michelle Lee Robinson
An original gospel play produced by UMOJA works productions, He's Not Your Soul Mate is a Christian comedy of errors - - everything is fodder for the protagonist, Gloria, who has comment and observation on her daughters' lifestyles, their choice of spouses, her neighbor's sexual prowess, her brother and sister-in-law's marriage, and even God Himself. This engaging play will make the audience howl with laughter.
Tickets are $35

And in the Lab Theatre II the African Continuum Theatre Company presents: J's Jook Joint on Friday and Saturday nights only!

J's Jook Joint is a special, limited engagement cabaret that is a modern-day twist on the historical "jook joint" experience. Featuring the best and brightest of Washington D.C.'s African-American performers such as Nova Nelson, Yvette Manson, Andy Torres, Carl Wilson and Ralph Herndon. J's Jook Joint highlights the continuum of African-American music- from jazz standards to gospel-inspired pop to soul-infused show tunes.
Tickets are $15-20

Tickets can be purchased at the Atlas box office (399-7993) or online at www.atlasarts.org

The Atlas Performing Arts Center is located at 1333 H Street NE, the heart of the Atlas District!

And on Friday and Saturday nights the Atlas District Courtesy Shuttle is available to bring patrons to and from Union Station. To request a pick up call 1-301-751-1802

H Street on the Radar

More and more I see media coverage and other evidence of people interested in what's going on on H Street. This morning I received an email about an event organized by a group called Professionals in the City. On March 3rd the group will be hosting From the Circus to the Sea: H Street NE Nite Life Tour (consisting of visiting the Argonaut, the Red and the Black, H Street Martini Lounge, Palace of Wonders).

UBU 80s Dance Party Saturday

At the the Red & the Black (1212 H Street)
Standing in for DJ Mellie Mel this month you have DJ Dribble (Arnold from the Black Cat). Spinning starts at 9:30pm and goes until 2am (doors open at 6pm).
Take the free Atlas Courtesy Shuttle from the bar to Union Station after the show (runs until 2:30am). Call 202-906-0697 for pick-up.

Hill Rag: H Street Life

Art on display during the 2005 H Street Festival
The Hill Rag has a piece on the new arts offerings in the 400 block of H Street (the art classes I mentioned this morning, and the Dissident Gallery across the street), and the upcoming bar opening in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of H Street. It also mentions that new art galleries are expected to open across the street from the Rock and Roll Hotel (which, despite what the article says, is located in the 1300 block of H Street, rather than the 1200 block).

a not yet open gallery in the 1300 block

R&R Hotel in DCist

Ok, so it's hardly the first time the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H Street) has caught the attention of DCist writers, but it's more the amount of attention this time.
Check out the post anticipating Sunday's punk extravaganza featuring the Queers, Riptides, Ripouts, and Heart Attacks. Doors open at 7, and show starts at 8. $10 cover.

The second mention is for Saturday's DJ set ($10 cover, but it's FREE if you show up before the clock strikes 10pm). Nick Zinner, gutarist for the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, will be spinning.

As always, The first floor (where they have shows) is 18+. The upstairs (where they have all the cool little rooms, and the main bar) is 21+.

R&R Hotel in Daily Candy

They scored a mention for the upcoming (Sunday, 7pm) Queers concert. The Rock & Roll Hotel is located at 1353 H Street.

WP: Nightlife Forecasts for 2007

The Post has the inside word on the Pug, Dr. Granville's & Stick Rice.

Hangouts & Haunts (Updated)

This is a brand spanking new version of my list of hangouts and haunts (both current, and anticipated) in the area (H Street, and its surrounding neighborhoods to the north), but it doesn't include every restaurant. I've omitted most carry-outs since you can't technically "hangout" in them (unless you're talking shooting dice in Crown Chicken). This post is updated semi-regularly (so if it says opening "any day now" you should measure that from the time of the last update, not the date at the bottom of the post). At times this post may be slightly out of date, so please take that into account. Last partial update: 8/31/2011.

Benning Road

1800 block

Photo provided by Langston Grille

Langston Grille (link plays music): an intimate soul food restaurant and bar.

1831 Benning Road

Bladensburg Road

1100 block

Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club: Bottled beers and mixed drinks are on offering in this out of the way tavern. They offer frozen pizza for those experiencing emergency late night munchies. Cash only, but they have an ATM. Now serving brunch on Sundays.

1103 Bladensburg Road

Florida Ave

1300 block

Connor Contemporary: A commercial art gallery.

1358 Florida Avenue

Industry Gallery: A gallery focused on 21st century design.

1358 Florida Avenue (second floor)

G Fine Art: A gallery dedicated to International art from the 1960s to present day

1350 Florida Avenue

Open Studio DC: A screen printing studio and gallery
1348 H Street

H Street

1400 block

(patio photo provided by the Argonaut)

The Argonaut: A neighborhoody restaurant and tavern. Fully recovered from the fire in the summer of 2010, and back better than ever. Don't miss the patio.

1433 H Street

1300 block

Slice of Life (coming soon): Formerly a largely unused building that boasted a small corner store (the Sun and Moon) on the first floor, this space will, after much renovation, be home to a local gourmet pizza chain.

1387 H Street

Rose's Dream: Bar with live music (jazz, r and b, and go-go) and karaoke nights. No food, but you can carry up food from the Caribbean carry-out downstairs. Full bar with bottled beers. Moving down a few doors soon.

1370 H Street

H Street Playhouse: Live theater, home of Theater Alliance, and a number of award winning shows.

1365 H Street

Pho Bar & Grill: a Vietnamese restaurant with full bar. Open late.

Sova Wine and Espresso Bar: a loungy coffee spot. Serves limited food [pastries, muffins, sandwiches, and some desserts]. Free WiFi. They have a liquor license. They have a rotating beer and wine list, for upstairs. They also do craft cocktails.

1359 H Street

Impala* (coming soon): a northern Mexican restaurant from the team behind Tacos Impala.

1358 H Street

Biergarten Haus: a beer garden serving a traditional German menu. Massive outdoor patio.

1355-1357 H Street

Gallery O/H: an art gallery specializing in folk and outsider art.

1354 H Street

Rock and Roll Hotel: Focus on live music (like a smaller 9:30 Club). The first floor is a straight-up performance space where you can get right up against the band (the stage is truly thisclose to the audience). The upstairs is more loungy and attention was obviously given to decorating the space. There are lots of little rooms where you can sit and drink with friends, or the rooms can be rented out for private parties. Now serving food. The menu offers an assortment of light fare. Plenty of vegan options here. Thursday is Drunken Jenga night, and you can stack -em up and knock 'em down from 8pm-2am. They also host a drunken spelling bee.

1353 H Street

The Star and Shamrock: a Jewish deli inside an Irish pub. Live Irish music Thursdays and Saturdays.

1341 H Street

H Street Country Club: 9 putt-putt holes with a Washington/historical/political theme. A pool hall serving serving Tex-Mex with a kick downstairs and Mexican food upstairs. Chef Teddy Folkman from Granville's created the menu [with consultation by Ann Cashion].

1335 H Street

Dangerously Delicious Pies:

Originally hailing from Baltimore, this pie shop serves up a variety of sweet and savory offerings, including quiche. They are working on a liquor license.

1339 H Street

The Atlas Performing Arts Center: Live theater, musical performances, and dance. Home of African Continuum Theater Company, Capital City Symphony, and Joy of Motion dance studio. They also have a regular comedy night.

1333 H Street

1200 block

Smith Commons: an upscale bistro with craft cocktails.

1245 H Street

Da Luft* (coming soon): a restaurant serving seafood.

1242 H Street

Dr. Granville Moore's: Belgian beers (four rotating drafts --one is always Stella-- and plenty of bottled brews) and food delight in this two-level tavern. Patio out back. Wednesdays they play the Dead. Serving brunch once a month.

1238 H Street


Atlas Arcade: An old school arcade, but with beer.
1236 H Street

Church and State: An ode to the American craft cocktail.

2nd floor of 1236 H Street

Toki Underground: a dumpling and ramen bar.
1234 H Street (2nd floor)

The Pug -short for the pugilist: A boxing themed bar serving hot dogs and panini, and assorted other bar food. The bottled/canned beer list changes from time to time. A few beers on tap. A short menu of bar food. Also serving a bar brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Now open at noon daily.

1234 H Street

Photo provided by Sticky Rice

Sticky Rice: An Asian restaurant serving sushi, pan-Asian fare, as well as tater-tots. Vegan and vegetarian options. Featuring karaoke, and other events. They serve lunch daily, and lunch and brunch Saturdays and Sundays.

1224 H Street

[Untitled Greek restaurant]: Serving mezze, wine, and dessert late into the night.

1220 H Street

Red Palace: A merger of a Palace of Wonders and the Red and the Black. Live music, freak show stuff, and burlesque. Kitchen opens soon. Back patio.

1210/1212 H Street

Souk (link plays music): a Morrocan restaurant with a liquor license.

1208 H Street

The Queen Vic: A British style pub serving pasties, curries, wild game, and more.

1206 H Street

Philadelphia Water Ice Factory: A carryout with, arguably [argued by someone who knows, not by me], the best Philly cheesesteaks in DC. I've never had one in Philly, but the ones served at the Factory are definitely very tasty. Of course, they serve water ice, burgers, and other fare.

1204 H Street

Untitled hooka bar: From the owners of Souk.

1200 H Street

Horace and Dickie's: The famous fried fish carryout. Try the fish sandwich with hot sauce and you won't believe how much greasy whiting they hand you. They were a runner up for the Best Fried Chicken in the South award from Southern Living a few years back. Carryout only.

809 12th Street [immediately off H]

1100 Block
Khan's: a Mongolian bar-b-q spot with a full bar and outdoor seating.
1125 H Street

The upstair bar at XII [photo provided by XII]

XII Restaurant and Lounge: featuring live and recorded entertainment. Serving classic American food, plus a little extra. They've got a small space downstairs, and a much larger lounge space upstairs. The many windows make for a nice vantage point at night. They have happy hour specials. Sometimes there is a cover. Look for sidewalk seating and a rooftop terrace in the future. Now serving lunch.

1123 H Street

Taylor: an Italian deli. They deliver and are open until 3am Thursday-Saturday.

1116 H Street
Chow* (coming soon): An Asian restaurant. Currently seeking an entertainment endorsement for live bands and a DJ. Occupancy of 99.
1110 H Street

Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar: a full bar with an impressive bottled beer selection. No drafts. Frequent dj nights upstairs. Cash only, but they have an ATM.

1104 H Street

1000 block

Liberty Tree: a restaurant serving New England fare and brick-oven pizzeria. Outdoor seating.

1016 H Street
The Atlas Room: New American Cuisine with a French twist. The menu changes with the seasons.

Rita's: a water ice, and frozen custard spot.
1014 H Street

800 block

City Gallery: a gallery representing over 20 local painters, sculptors, photographers, engravers, and printmakers.
804 H Street #1

600 block

Hikari sushi* (coming soon): a sushi bar.

644 H Street

500 block

British Ink Tattoo Studio and Gallery: A tattoo parlor and art gallery hosting occasional events.

508 H Street

400 block

The Big Board* (coming soon): a burger and salad joint with a full bar and beers on tap.

421 H Street

Sidamo: An Ethiopian coffee house serving breakfast foods, salads, sandwiches, and soups. Featuring shadegrown organic fair trade coffees roasted in house and a wide variety of teas. Open mornings, afternoons, and evenings, but not nights. Patio out back. Free Wifi.

417 H Street

Dissident Display is located next door. This is just a sign from an event posted on a neighboring building.

Dissident Display: A gallery and performance space hosting occasional events.

416 H Street

Boundary Road* (coming soon): a restaurant serving regional cuisine.

414 H Street

Studio H: a local art gallery.

408A H Street

Ethiopic: an Ethiopian restaurant with outdoor seating.

401 H Street

Did I miss anything?

WP: Hello H Street

The Post's Fritz Hahn is at it again. He's talking about shifts in DC's entertainment and night life scene, and he's clearly got high hopes for H Street.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

A few local options:


Palace of Wonders -1210 H Street
*not clear what's happening yet, but they're rumored to be open & without a cover charge.


Red & the Black -1212 H Street
Event: New Year' Eve in the French Quarter
Featuring: Shannon Stewart
Doors open: 9pm
Extra attraction: Boasts plenty of hats & beads for all. Party goes until 4am. Your first drink is free if you wear a mardi gras mask. Discounted drinks for all from 9-10pm. Champagne toast at midnight. Free red beans & rice all night.
end at 4pm 12/31)


H Street Martini Lounge -1236 H Street
Charge: no cover (complimentary champagne toast)
Featuring: guest dj
Doors open: 9pm


Rock & Roll Hotel -1353 H Street
Event: New Year's Bash: The Beginning of Forever(presented by Garutachi)
*21+ only on New Years Eve (due to the open bar)
Charge:
-$30 general admission (cash bar)
-$50 Party Pass (open bar rail drinks & selected beer until 1am)
-$80 VIP Admission (open bar on top shelf goods until 2:30am)
Featuring:
-James F***** Friedman's (Defend/Throne of Blood, NYC)
-Dj Ris Richards (formerly of Q & Not U)
-Dj Cassidy (Tease,Pink,Garutachi DC)
-Dj Tittsworth (T&A, Money Studies, Tittsworth.com , Ammo)
-Dj Stereofaith ( www.stereofaith.com Sorted-DC, Lit-NYC)
-Dj Cale (Noise Academy)
-Dj IQ (Richmond)
Doors open: 8pm (show starts at 9pm)
*buy tickets online, or at the box office
Extra attraction: Champange toast at midnight (with hors d'oeuvres) Party favors! A second dj booth upstairs installed especially for the event.


Argonaut -1433 H Street
Event: a neighborhood New Year's
Charge: No Cover (complimentary toast at midnight)
Featuring: a dj downstairs (upstairs will also be open) & the Argonaut crew.

*************************************
UPDATED
*************************************
see the new info for Rock & Rock Hotel, the Argonaut, and the Red & the Black (above)