D.C. Bars and Restaurants that Have Closed During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Author
The coronavirus pandemic has been extremely difficult for bars and restaurants that operate on thin margins already and has ultimately contributed to the closure of many bars and restaurants across the country and right here in D.C. Here are all the bars and restaurants in the D.C. area that have closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pizzeria Paradiso
The Old Town, Alexandria location of Pizzeria Paradiso, has close after a decade of calling King Street home. The cause for closure was cited as unsuccessful lease negotiations. Paradiso plans to host a pop-up location at Port City Brewing in Alexandria once per month beginning October 15. Other Paradiso locations remain open in Hyattsville, Spring Valley, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown.
Pendleton Carryout
The two-year-old to-go and delivery counter with rotating menus with everything from pizza sold by the ounce to dumplings and food truck fare. It will be replaced by Chewish Deli, a New-York-style eatery featuring sandwiches and bagels.
Som Tam
Alex McCoy, the chef behind Lucky Buns, has closed his restaurant Som Tam, a Thai street food stall inside of Union Market. Som Tam opened in January and was overseen by Thai natives Lekki Limvatana and Satang Ruangsangwanata. In an Instagram post, McCoy implied they “will be back at some point soon!”
Capitol Lounge
After 26 years serving locals, staffers, and students, Capitol Lounge closed on September 20. Known for affordable drink prices and great specials like 25-cent wings on Tuesdays, D.C. will miss the Capitol Lounge.
Rebellion
After almost seven years of calling Dupont Circle home, Rebellion DC, one of America’s best bourbon bars, has closed permanently, citing “economic hardships placed on our industry and us personally as a business… shut down three separate times due to COVID-19 and a landlord unwilling to work with us on any type of rent reduction and/or deferment has made for an untenable situation.”
Matchbox Pizza
Matchbox closed its 14th Street NW location after eight years and is part of an overall restructuring plan after Matchbox Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization this summer.
Poca Madre Taco Bamba
Chef Victor Albisu’s side-by-side restaurants will not be reopening in Penn Quarter.
Twins Jazz
After 33 years, the live music institution located on U Street NW has closed permanently. The original location was in Brightwood and was owned by sisters Kelly and Maze Tesfaye.
Kitty O’Shea’s
After nine years in Tenleytown, Irish pub Kitty O’Shea’s permanently closed on September 27.
Aabee Express
Fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant Aabee Express permanently closed after two years serving up Mediterranean favorites on Pentagon Row.
Amsterdam Falafel
After calling 14th Street NW home for six years, Amsterdam Falafel permanently closed due to COVID-19, according to a sign on their door.
Naf Naf Grill
Middle Eastern Fast Casual chain Naf Naf Grill Closed its three-year-old location on K Street NW.
A&D
The low-key charming Shaw cocktail bar A&D had permanently closed after eight years.
Maddy’s Taproom
Downtown favorite Maddy’s Taproom closed permanently in mid-July.
Firehook Bakery
Firehook Bakery closed its Cleveland Park location after 23 years due to the inability to secure a long-term lease. The Q Street NW location in Dupont remains open for business.
Taqueria Local
This fast-casual downtown taco spot closed its doors after two years.
Bistro Bohem
After eight years in Shaw, the Czech-style café/bar has permanently closed.
B Too
The popular Brunch spot on 14th Street NW, B Too, has closed permanently.
Grille at Flower Hill
The barbeque joint owner decided to shut down rather than comply with county orders requiring employees to wear masks.
Magnolia Kitchen & Bar
“Closed for the foreseeable future” reads a sign on the door of favorite happy-hour spot Magnolia Kitchen & Bar after two years in Dupont Circle.
Clyde’s and The Soundry
Both the restaurant and adjacent music venues have permanently closed. Clyde’s and the Soundry share the same owner, Clyde’s Restaurant Group, who decided to close both locations citing the pandemic and years of struggling sales.
Mason Dixie Biscuit Co.
A chicken and biscuit pop-up that has grown into a national company with its frozen foods line has permanently closed its Shaw location after two years.
Other Bars and Restaurants Closed
While many of the above bars and restaurants have closed more recently, here are the bars and restaurants that have announced their closure earlier than July of this year: Nocturne, American Eats Tavern, The Post Pub, A Rake’s Progress, Red Rocks Pizza, Ghibellina and Sotto, Café Soleil, Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL), Peregrine Espresso, Pom Pom, George’s Chophouse, Mai Thai, Montmarte, Momofuku, the Source, Lucky Strike Bowling Alley, P.F. Chang’s in Friendship Heights, Zigfields, Secrets, DC Eagle, Fado Irish Pub, Bareburger, and Campono.
