Karaoke nights at Big Tony’s Pizzeria & Dive Bar are going up for debate at an upcoming County Board meeting.
The retro-style Clarendon bar is seeking county authorization to host karaoke nights and DJs at 3100 Clarendon Blvd — but it’s facing pushback from county staff, who say that the establishment violated the county’s zoning ordinance multiple times by hosting karaoke without permission.
Opposing the pizzeria’s proposal to host live entertainment from 4 p.m.-1 a.m. seven days a week, staff argue that past violations mean Big Tony’s can’t be trusted with the requested use permit.
“Throughout staff’s review of this use permit, the applicant has demonstrated a disregard for the rules of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance related to live entertainment operations,” a County Board report says. “Staff does not believe that the applicant can successfully operate live entertainment in a manner consistent with Arlington County standards and community expectations.”
The applicant, local chef and restaurateur Mike Cordero, declined to comment on this story, saying he is still seeking more information. His application is scheduled for discussion at the County Board’s recessed meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Arlington requires establishments to have a use permit before they can operate “live entertainment.” This is a broad category in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, including not only professional singers and musical ensembles, but also DJs, dancing, comics, theatrical acts — and karaoke.
County staff say that they have issued fines to Big Tony’s and have documented multiple instances of the bar operating karaoke without permission. As of this afternoon, the bar’s website still says there is karaoke on Wednesday nights starting at 9 p.m.
“The applicant has not demonstrated the ability or willingness to comply with the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance requirements governing live entertainment by continuing [to] pursue the use without required approvals,” staff wrote.
The first complaint against Big Tony’s was documented in early January, according to county staff. The restaurant and bar submitted an application for a special exception use permit in early March.
Big Tony’s opened in Clarendon in 2023 as a rebrand of Bronx Pizza, which began doing business way back in 2012. With an 80s and 90s retro theme, it serves a variety of pizzas, calzones, salads and subs, plus beer, wine and cocktails.
The bar hosts events and specials throughout the week, including trivia nights on Thursdays and weekend brunch deals.
Noise complaints in Clarendon are a bit of a sore subject for the popular nightlife district, which is sandwiched between quieter neighborhoods of single-family homes to its north and south. The county has been stepping up code enforcement in recent years, earning mixed reviews from locals.
