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The former Whitlow’s space will apparently three separate identities when it reopens under new ownership.

In December we reported that Michael Bramson, who’s behind The Lot beer garden and the Clarendon Pop-Up Bar, was opening something new called B Live in the long-time local watering hole’s former Clarendon home. Before that, we also reported that locally-founded burger chain Five Guys was planning to take part of the space, perhaps as soon as this summer.


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It looks like the former Whitlow’s space in Clarendon will not be vacant for much longer.

The long-time local watering hole at 2854 Wilson Blvd closed in June. In July, we reported that the locally-founded burger chain Five Guys was planning to take part of the space. Now, it appears that another venue is also in the works.


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Ballston is about to get a 6,300-square-foot taqueria and “margarita garden.”

U Street NW taco spot El Rey is branching out from D.C. and opening on the ground floor of the Ballston Exchange building at 4201 Wilson Blvd. After nearly two-and-a-half years of anticipation, following pandemic-related delays, the eatery is finally set to open its doors.


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At long last the large Capitol City Brewing Co. space in Shirlington, vacant since March 2018, is getting a new tenant.

Astro Beer Hall, a two-level bar and coffee shop from the owners of Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, will be opening in the space at 4001 Campbell Avenue next summer, according to a press release. In addition to 14,000 square feet of indoor space, the new beer hall will have a 80-seat outdoor patio.


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After a four year hiatus from Arlington, CarPool will again start pouring beers in Ballston tomorrow.

The new CarPool at 900 N. Glebe Road — in the Virginia Tech building, next to Ballston Local — will open at 4 p.m. Thursday, owner Mark Handwerger tells ARLnow.


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(Updated 10:40 a.m. on 12/1/21) A new outpost of JINYA Ramen Bar is coming to Ballston Quarter as soon as March, according to a local restaurant group.

The restaurant appears to replace Spanish tapas restaurant and soccer-watching venue Copa Kitchen & Bar, which closed earlier this month in a space adjacent to the Quarter Market food hall.


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The former Clarendon Ballroom is once again being transformed into a winter wonderland for the holiday season.

The ownership group behind the Lot, the nearby and popular outdoor beer garden, is putting together the seasonal pop-up. It will open on Friday at 8 p.m. and continue through January, a company spokesperson writes ARLnow in response to an inquiry.


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(Updated at 3 p.m.) Those waiting on CarPool to make its triumphant return might have to keep waiting for a week — or several.

The beloved bar, which closed its original Ballston-area location on Fairfax Drive in 2017 and moved (temporarily) to Fairfax County, was hoping to open in October. But the global supply chain woes affecting everything from car manufacturing to wire hangers are delaying the opening.


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Clarendon is getting a new café and bar with an emphasis on outdoor drinking and dining.

Construction permits were approved earlier this summer for a new restaurant at 3303 Wilson Blvd, with expansive outdoor seating and a 120 square foot outdoor kiosk. The new establishment will be called “Bar Ivy” and will also feature a nearly 3,000 square foot indoor space on the ground floor, permit applications suggest.


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(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Beloved local watering hole Carpool is returning to Arlington after a more than four year absence.

A popular after-work and sports-watching spot, Carpool closed its Ballston-area location on the 4000 block of Fairfax Drive in 2017, to make way for what is now the 22-story J Sol apartment tower. After two decades in Arlington, the brand lived on in the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax County. But now it’s coming home.


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(Updated at 2 p.m. on 8/30/21) Lorton-based RĀKO Coffee Roasters is opening RĀKO, its first brick-and-mortar coffee shop, on Saturday in Courthouse.

And to celebrate the grand opening of the café at 2016 Wilson Blvd, RĀKO will offer $1 coffees from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with specially-priced natural wines available all day Saturday until 9 p.m.


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