Live entertainment is coming to two new additions to Clarendon’s bar and restaurant scene, despite some resident concerns about code enforcement in the neighborhood.
The Arlington County Board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to accept use permit applications at Láylí Mediterranean and Mister Days, with several Board members expressing enthusiasm about Láylí’s arrival and Mister Days’ return.
Láylí opened earlier this month at the former Bar Ivy space at 3033 Wilson Blvd, while the time-honored Mister Days sports bar is in the process of opening at 1101 N. Highland Street.
Though speakers at Tuesday’s meeting raised few concerns about these particular establishments, several Clarendon-area residents took the opportunity to call for better code enforcement when it comes to nightlife — and noise, in particular.
“While I don’t know what impacts these new venues will produce and have no particular issue with them, I do know that the system to ensure permit compliance does not work,” said area resident Dana Small.
Calling loud, late-night entertainment in Clarendon “a quality of life issue that makes me want to head for the hills,” Small said the county needs to tighten restrictions on operating hours and more consistently enforce permit rules.
“My work colleagues are used to me coming in on Monday a wreck because of the noise that permeates my bedroom, the DJ calls,” she said. “All music that’s designed to keep you up and moving is not compatible with living a healthy life.”
Speaker Jay Brodsky said it often falls on residents to confront bar owners about violations such as bars playing loud music with the windows open. He argued that the county should make consistent enforcement a higher priority.
“There seems to be little point in issuing permits with carefully negotiated restrictions if they aren’t going to be followed and the county isn’t going to enforce them,” he said.
An officer from the Arlington County Police Department said that in his experience, violations typically stem from ignorance on the part of management — amplified by the need to keep up with monthly rental costs of $50,000 to $70,000.
“A lot of it is an educational piece, and just getting those establishments to understand,” he said. “I can’t think of anyone that’s in the county right now that would wantonly disregard the rules and regulations.”
County Board member Maureen Coffey, who lives in the Clarendon area, noted that noise tends to be less of an issue in newer high-rises with sound-muffling windows. She said that should continue to be the standard in future construction.
“In many of our planning documents, it has been affirmed again and again that Clarendon is intended to be a shops, entertainment and nightlife district,” she said. “I think that that comes with things that must be managed, including noise.”
While much of the discussion was about noise, Clarendon has also seen frequent arrests in its nightlife corridor, as chronicled for the past few months by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
Clarendon update: This was the arrest at 12:15ish after a skirmish in front of Don Tito. With all of the problems tonight, @ArlingtonVaPD now has officers from the nightlife detail surrounding Bar Bao and in the parking loop on Fairfax Drive in anticipation of closing time. They… pic.twitter.com/ngOnMrPxXo
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 11, 2024
Board members noted no material issues with either use Láylí or Mister Days’ use permit applications. Vice-Chair Takis Karantonis said he is particularly excited for the return of Mister Days.
“I’m confident that by approving this use permit, we are contributing to the vibrancy,” he said.
