Around Town

Restaurant and Lounge Coming to Former Ri Ra Space in Clarendon

Ri Ra exterior photo(Updated at 1:15 p.m.) A new restaurant and lounge will be coming to the former Ri Ra Irish Pub space in Clarendon.

An ownership group that includes a number of local restaurant and nightlife veterans has signed a lease for the space, ARLnow.com has learned. Among them are partners in Opera Ultra Lounge in D.C. and local nightlife impresario Jad Bouchebel.

Bouchebel is a partner in a number of hot new hangouts in the District, including Provision No. 14, The Prospect and Bonfire.

For now, Bouchebel declined to provide additional details about the group behind the new Clarendon establishment but he did reveal a few early details about what’s planned.

“The group intends to develop a sleek and fresh restaurant, bar and lounge,” he wrote. “The restaurant will offer lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, serving contemporary American dishes with extensive wine and beer selections. The venue will also provide daily happy hour specials and periodic live music.”

Tentatively, the new restaurant is expected to open this fall.