March 16, 2006
New Life for an Old Dive
When Jim Brown decided it was time to move on after 30 years of owning the Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring, it seemed like yet another historic tavern would fall by the wayside. But local entrepreneurs Jackie Greenbaum and Patrick Higgins swooped in and made sure the beloved dive stayed open. They've got some updates in the works, including an updated menu and a liquor license. Most exciting for us music types, they're also turning it into a bit of a live music venue (promising to feature punk, indie rock, DJs and more). Though things don't officially get started until next month, they're kicking off the new era with a sneak preview in the name of St. Patrick.
Tonight: Folk 'n' Craig, an Irish fiddle, guitar and whistle trio.
Tomorrow: Eric Vesper & John Relph, Irish mondolin & guitar duo.
Both nights start at 7 p.m. The music's free, but the green beer you'll have to pay for.
The Quarry House Tavern is located at 8401 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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Ugh,
The "new" Quarry House pales in comparison to the old one. The canned all the old staff and are beginning to yuppify (tater tots? c'mon..) Silver Sprung needs less places like what Greenbaum and Higgins have to offer (over-priced american food) and more of what old Quarry House had to offer (divey charm). See Save Quarry House for more.
I'm OK with tots, and the burgers are magnificent. I think it still has a lot of its charm, and although I don't approve of canning the old staff, the staff I've encountered there have been friendly and accommodating.
I unabashedly prefer the new quarry house, no offense. I espcially recommend the homemade potato chips with dill dip.
There was an article about the Quarry House in this month's American Way Magazine:
http://americanwaymag.com/aw/issue/shahin.asp?archive_date=2/15/2006
They don't mention Jackie's or QH by name but it is very obvious that's who they are talking about
There was an article about the Quarry House in this month's American Way Magazine:
http://americanwaymag.com/aw/issue/shahin.asp?archive_date=2/15/2006
They don't mention Jackie's or QH by name but it is very obvious that's who they are talking about
Live music? Is there really room for an electrified band setup in that little basement hole?
I see that this place isn't far from the Silver Spring Metro. Is that area pedestrian friendly?
The new stuff in the jukebox is great, and the beer selection (and liquor... they have some!) is improved, but it's sad there's only a couple of beers under $5. And no pitchers!
Ron, what do you mean by pedestrain friendly? I would say that is is very much so. To get to QH from the metro is simple. Google maps would tell you to go http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=Wayne+Avenue+and+Colesville+Road,+Silver+Spring,+MD&daddr=Bonifant+Street+and+Georgia+Avenue,+Silver+Spring,+MD
like that.
There is an even faster route if take Ramsey to Bonifant Street, or if you cut through the MARC parking lot to get to Bonifant. Either way, it is just a couple of blocks away with big open sidewalks and no worries.
Since you walk right past the Discovery headquarters and the Silver Plaza development to get there, it's also very well lit, even after midnight. Security concerns definitely shouldn't deter you from a visit.
I went to the Quarry House at least once a week for 6 years and considered it my home away from home. I tried to keep an open mind about the recent "improvements" but canning most of the staff and streamlining the menu has gutted the soul of the place. The current menu at least features more vegetarian options but overall is banal.
I suspect that the new owners never spent much time at Quarryhouse before they took over to consider what made the place special. And I suspect they wanted to purge the regulars anyways because the bar culture was at odds with their yuppie aesthetic. Overall, it is still a nice place to go if you aren't comparing it to its past, and I take solace in the fact that at least it hasn't been converted to pricey condos. However I take my business now to Royal Mile in Wheaton which is right by the metro. They came under new ownership but managed to improve the food while retaining the venue's character.
I've spent time in both incarnations of the QHT. The new version is different. It has to be.
You can get a can of PBR for $2. You can get a giant side of tater tots for $3. Or you can spend $9 on a half-pound burger and buy some good liqour, if so inclined.
Evolution is the key word here. If the QH weren't new, it would be gone. If you want it to be exactly what it was a few years ago, including potato chips out of a bag and regulars who became indignant if asked to pay for more than half their drinks, then you are out of luck. That QH is gone.
But if you have hope for a local business, locally owned, that provides decent food and drink in a traditional location, plus the effort required to host live music... well, give it a chance.
Like anything that survives, the place is still evolving. Stop for beer and tell the new owners what you'd like to see improved. They'll probably listen.
Three cheers to Mr. Joel. Recently, I have found myself in downtown Silver Spring and into the depths of the QH. I love the place. I spoke with one of the original QH regulars during my second trip and was very surprised at the animosity he had toward the place. After reading some of the various internet blog/forums, I am even more shocked. I thought that the pint/bottle beer selection was great, the food was comforting, and the atmosphere was as intimately dive-barrish as ever. And from what I can imagine, the lack of cigarette smoke filled rooms is a huge plus. I believe the new QH is wonderful...and the people complaining about it are nothing more than opinionated, change-resistant, and stubborn...with all due respect.
I think you have mischaracterized the former regulars, with all due respect. The Quarry House was an institution and a home away from home for many silver spring residents. The management systematically purged the regulars by canning QH's beloved waitresses and yuppifying the place. I don't think they had any understanding of what makes a neighborhood bar special. For those who havn't experienced Quarry House BJ (before Jackie) it is a decent restaurant. But for many former regulars it is a sterile hipster joint without soul.