bars | ARLnow.com

Published December 20, 2013 at 10:00AM | Updated March 21, 2017 at 11:43AM

It started on Thursday night with numerous police vehicles zooming into Clarendon with sirens blaring. Drivers pulled over and pedestrians stopped in their tracks. Suddenly, revelers were met with a most unusual sight — a superhero in a cape and leotard emerging from the Chooser Cruiser. Arlington, meet Soberman.

While his getup produced many laughs, Soberman’s message was serious: Don’t drink and drive. Speaking through a police car loudspeaker, Soberman told everyone to have fun and enjoy their adult beverages, but to make a smart choice when trying to get home by using a designated driver, taxi, public transportation or by walking.

Around Town

Restaurant Talk: How To Be A Regular

By Nick Freshman

Published September 9, 2013 at 11:00AM | Updated September 9, 2013 at 1:36PM

Restaurant Talk is an occasional feature written by Nick Freshman, a native Arlingtonian and co-owner of Spider Kelly’s and Eventide Restaurant in Clarendon. Photos added by ARLnow.com.

The truth is, it’s pretty easy. Each place is different, and some are frankly not interested in you being a regular — they’re too busy or they just don’t care — but most bars and bartenders love their regulars.

Events

Sports Junkies to Host Summer Dress Party

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 23, 2013 at 12:00PM | Updated August 23, 2013 at 2:49PM

The Sports Junkies — the four hosts of 106.7 The Fan’s morning sports talk show — will host the event at the Clarendon bar, 3185 Wilson Blvd, Friday night, starting at 7:00 p.m. There will be no cover charge at the door until 10:00 p.m.

The party is being held on the rooftop, and women, encouraged to dress in “summer’s finest,” will be eligible to win prizes from retailers like Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom’s and MAC Cosmetics.

Around Town

Galaxy Hut Adding New Taps

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 21, 2013 at 10:00AM

Owner Lary Hoffman raised alarm on social media Tuesday morning when he posted on Facebook and Twitter: “Galaxy Hut for sale.” In fact, Hoffman is selling the bar’s old tap system. It’s listed for $1,500 in a Craigslist ad.

Customers panicked that the sale was the precursor to the entire bar being sold, but Hoffman told ARLnow.com that’s not the case. He’s upgrading from a 20-tap system (currently down to 14 due to a broken “kegerator”) to a 28-tap system.

Around Town

Trolley Pub Rolling into Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 26, 2013 at 9:45AM

The open-air, pedal-powered trolley lets riders mix drinking and exercising while taking in the Arlington sights. Up to 14 people can ride along on a tour, along with one certified Trolley Pub conductor in the captain’s seat.

The trolley already exists in cities like Raleigh, NC. Pricing is not yet listed for the Arlington trolley, but Raleigh’s charges $30 per person for up to six people on a two hour tour, or $350 to rent the entire 14 person pub for two hours.

News

Two Arrested for Brawl at Union Jack’s

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 20, 2013 at 3:45PM

According to police, on Friday, Feb. 8, the two groups were involved in a verbal altercation inside the bar which escalated throughout the night. Both parties left and while one group of four was trying to walk away, the other group allegedly followed and started a physical altercation.

One of the victims was knocked down and had his head kicked, resulting in a subdural hematoma, or bleeding on the brain. He spent four days in the hospital and was released to the care of his mother, who lives out of state. At the time he was released, the victim had not yet regained hearing in one of his ears.

Around Town

‘Bachelorette’ Star to Open ‘Female-Friendly’ Sports Bar in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published January 11, 2013 at 12:24PM

Reality TV star Chris Bukowski is opening a “female-friendly” sports bar called “Bracket Room” in Clarendon.

The “sports lounge and eatery,” as described in a press release, is expected to open this summer. It will be opening in the former Burapa Thai space at 1210 N. Garfield Street, though as of this morning no building permits have been issued.

Around Town

Bardo Rodeo to Return… in D.C.

By ARLnow.com

Published October 9, 2012 at 2:15PM

Last year we reported that co-owner Andrew Stewart had been raising money for a possible new Clarendon location for Dremo’s. That fell through, and almost exactly one year ago Stewart told Urban Turf that he was looking to open a “huge bar in DC with an in-house brewery.” Today, several news outlets are reporting that Stewart and his brother, Bill, will indeed be opening a Bardo Rodeo location at 1200 Bladensburg Road in Northeast D.C.

The Washington Post reports that Bardo will brew its own beer, using brewing equipment mothballed after the Arlington location ceased brewing operations.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 28, 2012 at 9:30AM

Number of Households Growing — The number of households in Arlington grew by one percent over the past year — from 105,667 to 106,717 — a rate twice that of the 0.5 percent household growth in the Commonwealth of Virginia, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. [Sun Gazette]

New Ballston Bars Reviewed — Ballston’s bar scene has “received a shot in the arm over the last two weeks” with the openings of World of Beer and A-Town Bar and Grill, according to a review by Fritz Hahn. [Washington Post]

Around Town

Eamonn’s and T.N.T. Bar Opening Soon on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published August 9, 2012 at 4:35PM

It may be only a matter of days before Columbia Pike’s most ambitious bar/restaurant effort to date opens to the public.

Eamonn’s A Dublin Chipper and T.N.T. Bar, at 2413 Columbia Pike in the Penrose Square development, were hoping to open this coming Monday, but the opening had been delayed due to permitting issues, according to a PR rep. Nonetheless, the interior of the restaurant appears to be nearly finished and T.N.T. is already being touted as the ” latest and greatest bar” yet for famed local mixologist Todd Thrasher.

Events

Arlington St. Patrick’s Day Bar Guide 2012

By ARLnow.com

Published March 9, 2012 at 10:46AM | Updated March 9, 2012 at 12:35PM

This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday. That means there will probably be more people than usual heading out for some Irish cheer at the local watering holes. Here’s a list of a few places around town that have special celebrations planned.

Arlington County police will have an increased presence in Clarendon and other areas expected to have a large number of people celebrating the holiday. They’ll also be distributing information about SoberRide, which is offering free cab rides home from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 18.

Events

Social Clubs Plan Leap Day Parties

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2012 at 3:45PM

Several local social clubs will be toasting the arrival of “Leap Day” in Arlington tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Feb. 29, a date that comes around only every four years or so during a leap year. Leap Day, as it’s known, might not be an officially recognized holiday, but it does have its fans. At least three Meetup.com groups are planning Leap Day events here in Arlington. Among them: