October 16, 2007
The Red Derby Opens in Columbia Heights Tonight
As of this morning, The Red Derby showed very little evidence of its upcoming grand opening this evening at 6 p.m. The only thing separating itself from the laundromat and carryout on either side is a red logo painted above the doorway. The painting is so simple a child could have drawn it – is it a zit? A misshapen condom? Or perhaps the rear shot of a sleeping hippo? It’s actually a derby – or “bowler” - hat, like the famous brown version from Los Angeles. The homemade paint job belies the thought and effort owners Sasha Carter and David Leventry bore to bring a welcome addition to the Petworth and Columbia Heights neighborhoods.
The rumors of the new bar have been swirling around community message boards for nearly a year now. Following The Red Derby’s updates on the Columbia Heights community forum, the bar has gone through an excruciatingly slow process of proposals, licenses, and inspections.
"Imagine spending a few hours at the DMV everyday for a year,” Carter said.
Currently located at the corner of 14th and Quincy Streets, The Red Derby had its beginnings on the 18th street strip of Adams Morgan. Located above the now defunct Santa Rosa seafood restaurant – currently Splash – The Red Derby was open for just two months before their temporary agreement with Santa Rosa ended. Since then, Carter and Leventry have had their eye on their current neighborhood. Why not stick with Adams Morgan? Carter says that despite the residential area, Adams Morgan has evolved to a point where the streets are “mayhem” on the weekends. “We really wanted a neighborhood spot,” she added.
According to Carter, an unpretentious, mom-and-pop, upscale-dive neighborhood spot is exactly what you’ll get. First, and most notably, they’ll be serving beers only in cans. Their reasoning: “We’re committed to a better price point.” $2 Natty Bohs will be hard to resist. Throw in another dollar for a game of pool on the single table in the back, and you’ve got the cheapest date ever.
“Old school” was another term used to describe the new bar. Daily specials will include sidecars, Tom Collins, Manhattans, and others. This week’s shot special is the Woo Woo, a throwback to a 1980s drink consisting of peach schnapps and cranberry juice. On the other hand, I’m not sure how old-fashioned a place can be when you can bring in your iPod and play your own music selections. It all plays into the neighborhood atmosphere Carter and Leventry are trying to foster.
Also to note, not done on purpose to stay “old school,” the bar is currently cash only, but hopes to have a credit option added soon.
The Prince of Petworth has a sneak preview with pictures inside The Red Derby.
The Red Derby
3714 14th St. NW
202.291.5000
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This looks spectacular. Although the iPod being the Jukebox 2.0 is pretty annoying, I've been looking for a place to grab some Old Speckled Hen.
I got a last minute invite to the friends and family unveiling on Sunday. I loved the Red Derby. Its worth checking out. If its any comfort to those not in love with cans (myself included), the Derby's coolers are VERY cold (as Sasha and I dicussed at length).Dave and Sasha were incredibly welcoming and... don't miss the little fried triangles of mac and cheese. Amazing and tasty.
I sure hope they recycle. Kegs are way more eco-friendly. Otherwise, it sounds like the perfect bar.
I second Ms. Rusty there. iPod as Jukebox 2.0 really suggests a lack of editing by the bar owners. A real Jukebox and a real DJ every now and again is far more preferable and shows your patrons that you care about the quality of the music.
natty boh!
Prince of Petworth even took a photo of the bathroom! These people know what's up.
Honestly DC1974...do you do anything but bitch about stuff? DJs and Jukeboxes cost money. Maybe the bar owners are trying to minimize costs? I for one am completely into it - think of all the new music I'll learn about!
Please don't use the phrase "upscale dive." It's oxymoronic.
"Dive" isn't supposed to be a theme, like Irish or tiki.
Either a bar's a genuine dump or it's the tavern equivalent of those Urban Outfitter t-shirts with the faux-cracked screen printing.
I agree with guest121: if a DIY approach = cheaper drinks (and possibly exposure to new music), what's not to love?
Also, much as I love old school jukeboxes, internet jukeboxes are terrible, and seem to offer a far leaner selection (some choice oldies and greatest hits albums, but mostly newer, blander music) than what most people are carrying around on their iPods, so, with jukeboxes trending that way, asking for one is kind of a "be careful what you wish for" scenario.
And don't even get me started on DJs...
This place is going to be fukken awesome. I can't wait.
Internet jukeboxes are Satan's iPod, they guarantee that some idiot will play "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" every night.
Hillrat,
Do you love me? Will you love me forever? Do you need me? Will you never leave me?
Would you make me so happy for the rest of my life? Will you take me away? Will you make me your wife?
I gotta know right now. Before we go any further.
Ha! Loaf-rolled, bitch!
Srsly, what's wrong with Paradise by the Dashboard Light? I'm the guy who plays Freebird, Purple Rain, and, ugh, Smooth (by Santana and Rob Thomas) just to hear the groans. That is one of the key components of the jukebox experience.
Internet jukeboxes are great if they have entire albums (think DC9) instead of just singles (think Asylum). Although either way, spending an extra credit to cut in line is worse than murder.
Went tonight with a friend and it was a great experience. Decent pool table, good cheap beer, side cars and tasty food. What more can you ask? Oh yeah, some damn good music played by the patrons (which actually feels uniquely "democratic") and The Big Lebowski playing on a drop down screen silently so that it didn't over power the room but still acted as a conversation piece. One of the owners chatted with us while taking our drink orders (he wasn't even our server) and gave us more than a good deal. The place had quite the crowd for a first night and he seemed thrilled (if a bit surprized). There was every sort of person there; young and old, singles and people with kids, and everyone seemed to be having as great a time as I did.
Its just a few blocks from my house, so now I just have to figure out how I can limit my time there to a reasonable amount. Loved it!
I went last night w/a friend and really enjoyed my experience. I wish them the best of luck!
I only stopped by to check it out for a bit and have a beer so I didn't really get to stay long.... definitely loved it though.
Where were they playing the ipods? Was it behind the bar? How did they do it anyways? Did people just say "play this playlist?"
Sometimes Satan's iPod is better than Stan's iPod.
But the solution to dealing with these motherfuckers who pay extra credits to jump the line is to go back to the jukebox and do it yourself immediately after they do. Or unplug it.
I went last night and it was a mighty good time. My group was one of the first to show up and we cleaned them out of the Dales Pale Ale, easily my fave on the beer list.
We got some onion rings and sweet potato fries which were both quite tasty.
I'm definitely going to make the trek back sometime soon.
Re:mymidgetfriend:ipods:
I saw one hooked up behind the bar, but that's all I know.
Ha! Loaf-rolled, bitch!
Hoisted with my own petard.