FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2009

Neighborhood Update: Welcome to H Street Nightlife

In DC, change is apparent almost wherever you look, in the form of new faces, new businesses and an overall new vibe in DC’s neighborhoods. One of these neighborhoods is H Street, also known as the Atlas District. It’s located in the city’s northeast quadrant, about two miles from the U.S. Capitol, and is becoming well-known for its edgy artists, off-the-wall nightlife options and performance spaces.

Though the neighborhood is still partly in recovery from the 1968 riots, the signs of change can’t be missed. Celebrity chefs, like Teddy Folkman, are making themselves at home in neighborhood eateries. Nightlife guru Joe Englert has already opened several themed-bars speckled along the street, and he still has plans to open more (to a total of about 10) in the future. And various performances are offered at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located in the center of the neighborhood and home to a thriving artistic community. Your night out in H Street might begin here, with an African Continuum Theatre Company or Capital City Symphony performance, and end with a stop at any of these top neighborhood night spots:

• H Street Country Club (1335 H St, NE) James Beard-Award winner Ann Cashion has teamed up with restaurateur Joe Englert to open the experiential eatery, which features fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine against the backdrop of tongue-and-cheek décor that pokes fun at the country club theme. Two floors offer multiple experiences under one roof – from the bar downstairs, to the upstairs dining room and even an indoor miniature golf course featuring a replica of the Washington Monument.
• Dr. Granville Moore’s Brickyard (1238 H St NE) is a “gastropub with a healthy Belgian fetish.” Executive Chef Teddy Folkman (who won notoriety as a contestant on season five of “The Next Food Network Star”), presents a simple, flavorful menu featuring modern European cuisine. It’s clear that mussels are a specialty, and here’s a fun fact: with only 150 square feet of space to work with, Granville's kitchen pumps out more than 1,200 pounds of mussels and over 1,400 pounds of potatoes every week. If you’d rather sip than eat, check out the 50 Belgian beers on tap.
• Palace of Wonders (1210 H St, NE) is a venue like no other. This two-level tavern meets traveling carnival draws its inspiration from Coney Island side shows and is the only dedicated vaudeville stage, museum of oddities and full bar in the world. For a night of quirky entertainment, check out Palace’s live burlesque, sideshow and vaudeville shows including female arm wrestling, retro DJs and dancing girls. Also make sure to look out for the bartender who splits her time between mixing drinks and taking the stage to swallow swords.
• Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St, NE) is a two-level live music venue that plays host to many traveling rock bands and is designed to pay homage to the roadside hotels that historically housed traveling musicians while they were on the road touring. The "Hotel" part of the name comes from a series of themed rooms that can be rented out for private parties. If you’re not into live music, head upstairs for a cocktail at the bar and rub elbows with local hipsters.

Wondering how to get to H Street? There is a free shuttle operated by the H Street Business Cooperative than runs seven nights a week from 5pm until Metro closes. Click here for more information.