Black Cat Hopes to Conquer Great Outdoors
We couldn't help but be intrigued when we stumbled upon the following item listed on the agenda for Thursday night's ANC 1B meeting (emphasis ours).
ABRA Applications
- 71866 Sala Thai, Entertainment Endorsement
- 36085 Black Cat, Substantial Change
- Voluntary agreement review, El Paraiso Market
- Voluntary agreement review, Daily Fish of Chesapeake
- Voluntary agreement review, Eleven Market
Substantial changes? To one of our favorite music venues and venerable watering holes? Say it ain't so.
But wait a minute, we thought. An ABRA application means it's a substantial change to do with their liquor license, and the Cat already has a full bar. So either they're looking to change their operating hours (unlikely), or they're trying to serve alcohol outside. And indeed, a reliable neighborhood source tells us that is exactly what Black Cat is looking to do: The application is reportedly seeking permits to construct both a rooftop deck and a garden patio in the rear of the building.
No doubt these outdoor options would put the Black Cat in an enviable position come 2007, when the smoking ban officially comes into effect. By adding two new areas where alcohol could be consumed that could still be used by smokers (and, we suppose, plain old enthusiasts of fresh air), the venue would only be that much more of a destination spot for a whole lot of people.
It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, comes out against this petition at Thursday night's meeting (7 p.m. at the True Reformer Building). The Black Cat is situated on an entirely commercial stretch of 14th St. NW, meaning the number of neighbors with objections based on noise concerns would be minimal. Other nearby bars and restaurants closer to residential homes, such as U-Turn at the corner U and 11th Streets NW, have tried to establish outdoor seating areas in the recent past and encountered stiff opposition from neighbors. The only downside we can foresee right now is that a roof top patio may attract a few too many cast-offs from Local 16's already overcrowded seasonal roof bar, but that's probably a price worth paying.