DC's Early Summer Restaurant Openings

This week, heart-wrenching closures are padded with some new pop-ups and a nationally renowned bar coming to town.

🪦 Say farewell to:

Looking Glass Lounge

This one has me tearing up. After 15 years in Park View, this Alice-in-Wonderland-style dive bar will be closing its doors this year (no exact date). I can’t imagine how many first dates those walls have seen.

Buca di Beppo

This Olive Garden-wannabe closed its sole D.C. location in Dupont last week. But, rumor is they’re opening another location nearby in November. No more meatball Mondays and endless fried calamari baskets for now.

👋 And give a warm welcome to:

Purl

This comfort food joint opened Friday on the H Street Corridor. It covers a lot of ground, from Piri-piri chicken, to sponge cakes, to candy-covered cocktails.

Mahal BBQ x Maketto

Mahal BBQ is coming back to the Maketto rooftop this summer, with slow-smoked meats and Afro-Filipino flavors like tocino-cured pork belly and Sichuan peppercorn beef.

Alexandria Bier Garden

This giant Bavarian beer garden is landing in Old Town on July 13. Expect huge steins, lots of pretzels, and snacks with Peruvian influence.

Death & Co

One of the most lauded cocktail bars in the country is coming to the old Columbia Room space in Blagden Alley on July 14. Their D.C. menu is original and will change seasonally.

Little Himitsu

Little Vietnam is partnering with Chef Kevin Tien for a summer pop-up with signature dishes from both restaurants. (Kevin’s busy. He gave us the scoop on some other projects in the works.)