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Around Town

Freddie’s Beach Bar fights to stay ‘fabulous’ amid difficulties for restaurants region-wide

By Katie Taranto
Freddie's Beach Bar with "drag brunch" signs in Crystal City in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The owner of a longtime gay bar and iconic local business in Crystal City says he’s remaining an “eternal optimist” following one of the restaurant’s toughest financial years yet.

Freddie Lutz, owner and founder of Freddie’s Beach Bar, says the restaurant is still grappling with economic difficulties that drove business down throughout 2025. However, Lutz says he is hopeful as ever as the bar — a hallmark of Arlington’s culinary and cultural fabric — recently celebrated 25 years in business on Restaurant Row at 555 23rd Street S.

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Around Town

Cornerstone restaurant and bar closes after two years on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Outside Pike Cornerstone in May 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Pike Cornerstone has closed its doors for the last time after just over two years in business.

The restaurant and bar, which aimed to create a “home away from home” atmosphere with hearty bar fare, cocktails and a dog-friendly patio, held its “final call” on Saturday. It opened at 2900 Columbia Pike, at the former site of Rebellion on the Pike, in April 2024.

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Around Town

Solset rooftop bar opens in Clarendon atop new restaurant, The Boulevard

By Katie Taranto
Solset's rooftop bar (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Solset, a new rooftop bar in Clarendon, has opened for business this week, joining the neighborhood’s bustling happy hour scene.

The bar, situated atop the new “supper club“-inspired restaurant, The Boulevard, offers cocktails and “modern American food with a little bit of Asian fusion,” co-owner Nico Karagounis told ARLnow. The restaurant and bar replaced Wilson Hardware, refreshing the 8,000-square-foot space at 2915 Wilson Blvd with a revamped interior and new menu.

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Around Town

The Board Room abruptly closes in Clarendon after eight years of business

By Katie Taranto
The Board Room sign (file photo)

A game bar and brewery in Clarendon closed its doors last week after eight years in business, citing high rent and labor costs.

The Board Room’s last day in business at 925 N. Garfield Street was Thursday, owner Mark Handwerger told ARLnow. A 35-year veteran of the D.C.-area bar space, he said that business never fully recovered from the pandemic and struggled with high overhead costs.

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Westover Taco’s new women’s sports bar hosts grand opening with D.C. teams

By Katie Taranto
Sarah White cuts the ribbon on Westover Taco's women's sports bar (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Westover Taco cut the ribbon on Northern Virginia’s first women’s sports bar last night (Thursday) with a little help from some of the region’s athletes.

Members of the professional women’s tackle football team D.C. Divas and nonprofit tackle football team DMV Queens showed up alongside professional ultimate frisbee players from DC Shadow Ultimate to help celebrate the grand opening of the bar with founder Sarah White.

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Around Town

Arlington Beer Garden and Clarendon 54 lounge close for redevelopment

By Katie Taranto
Clarendon 54 has closed in Clarendon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Two nightlife venues have closed in Clarendon ahead of a neighborhood redevelopment project.

Arlington Beer Garden is no longer in business at 3217 10th Street N., an employee told ARLnow, and the nearby Clarendon 54 club is now fenced off, with new signage advising of “on-site construction activity” at 3200 Wilson Blvd.

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Ireland’s Four Courts named ‘America’s Best Soccer Bar’ in nationwide contest

By Dan Egitto
Ireland's Four Courts (via Ireland's Four Courts/Facebook)

An iconic Irish pub in Courthouse has been crowned champion in a nationwide competition to name the nation’s best soccer bar.

Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) beat out competition from around the country in an online voting contest organized by the soccer media company Men in Blazers. The selection process for America’s Best Soccer Bar included thousands of votes and hundreds of nominees from all 50 states.

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Local restaurateur buying out Westover Taco to launch N. Va.’s first women’s sports bar

By Katie Taranto
Westover Taco at 5849 Washington Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Women’s sports fans could soon have a bar of their own in Arlington.

Sarah White, a longtime local restaurateur and partner at Westover Taco, is in the process of buying out of the taqueria at 5849 Washington Blvd. After that?

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March Madness in Arlington and Falls Church: Where to watch and find deals

By Katie Taranto
Inside Wood & Iron in Virginia Square (staff photo by Jared Serre)

With just days to go until the first round of March Madness, numerous sports bars across Arlington and Falls Church are ready with drinks and bites for sports fans of all stripes.

As establishments offer deals ranging from beers and seltzers to appetizers and wings, here are some local spots to try out while watching this month’s games.

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‘Cielo’ upscale nightlife spot plans to open in Clarendon next month

By Jared Serre
The location of the upcoming Cielo Restaurant, located in Clarendon (staff photo by Jared Serre)

After a year and a half of delays, a Clarendon nightlife spot with an upscale approach to dining and cocktails is targeting next month to finally open its doors.

Cielo submitted a liquor license application late last month and intends to open at 1137 N. Highland Street in mid-April, owner Michael Sina told ARLnow.

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Freddie’s Beach Bar to mark 25 years in Crystal City with anniversary celebration

By ARLnow.com
Snow falling on Freddie's and the 23rd Street restaurant row in Crystal City (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Freddie’s Beach Bar, the long-running LGBTQ+ bar on Crystal City’s 23rd Street S. restaurant row, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a party this Sunday.

The March 1 celebration at 555 23rd Street S. is set for 7-9 p.m. and will include music, food, drinks and giveaways, according to a press release.

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Ireland’s Four Courts listed among America’s top 10 soccer bars

By Jared Serre
People gather to watch sports at Ireland's Four Courts (via Ireland's Four Courts/ Facebook)

A popular watering hole in Courthouse is in the running in a competition to crown the nation’s best soccer bar.

Ireland’s Four Courts was among 10 bars nationwide to receive the most nominations in the online contest, organized by the soccer media company Men in Blazers. Voting is currently underway to name a champion, though no end date has been announced.

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