Written with DCist contributor Amy Maxmen

As we've mentioned before, big changes are underway at the Velvet Lounge, the hole-in-the-wall music venue near the corner of 9th and U Streets NW. Soon change will also spread next door, to the burnt-out remains of the after-hours bar formerly known as Kingpin (not as an extension of the Velvet Lounge as was originally rumored, but as a separate, new bar). But rather than profiting off the wave of young professionals seeking a hip night out on U Street, the new Velvet owners wish to restore local spirit.

“D.C. is dying for this," said co-owner Abdul Kayoumy, who intends to promote the arts by drawing in talented musicians.

The Velvet Lounge is undergoing renovations under new owners Abdul Kayoumy and Haile Berhane. (Amy Maxmen)

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Though renowned for its superb sound at the hands of former sound engineer Rob Curtis, the Velvet had fallen out of favor for some. Complaints ranged from it being filthy (even for a dive bar) to rudeness from the staff towards patrons and visiting bands. Kayoumy and Haile Berhane vowed to keep the bar the same when they bought it in January. But since they’ve taken over, steps have been taken to make the venue a more welcoming one.

Both the upstairs and downstairs rooms have been expanded by the removal of obtrusive walls and columns. More stools will be added, and by the end of June, booths too. A jukebox stocked by the record-nerd employees will be installed downstairs (not connected to the internet, saving patrons from assault by guys with shameless nostalgia for the early '90s). Bar offerings will be expanded to include draft beer. And behind the bar — the first dishwasher ever to grace the Velvet. The bathrooms have been renovated, so those who fled after seeing the old bathrooms with sober eyes, can safely return. Kayoumy says, “I’m into hygiene, man.”

We wondered why the new owners would hold onto the old name, since they seemed to be disappointed with so many things about the venue and its reputation. In short, it was part of the deal. They also hope to maintain name recognition; they're hoping that as word of mouth spreads, the Velvet's reputation will improve.

Those concerned that acoustic quality will be sacrificed with the renovations and the departure of Curtis can rest assured, the owners said. Nikhil Rannde, a sound engineer who also works at the Black Cat, has rewired and taken other steps to rebuild the acoustics of the room during the renovations, and is now manning the booth part-time along with Sam Chintha.

Kayoumy has also hired Scott Verrastro of Clavius Productions full-time to curate the venue’s sound. Since January, Velvet’s stage has featured members of Sun Ra’s free jazz orchestra, psyche-folk hero Gary Higgins, and members from Pentagram, D.C.’s legendary doom rockers. The venue has long been a favorite -- and encouraging -- venue for local bands. Looking through our Three Stars archives, you'll hear countless stories of first gigs at the Velvet, and Curtis giving bands a chance to play regularly that they didn't find elsewhere. Verrastro says the new Velvet will continue to give opportunities to local bands, while giving preference to touring bands for headlining slots.

"I love bringing great music to D.C. and take great pride in what I present, and I want the music to be of the highest quality," he explained. "The majority of what I book - national and local - is music that I enjoy and find significant worth in. Essentially, the public is at the mercy of my elitist taste."

The aggressive attitude sometimes associated with the Velvet has left (along with the former employees who allegedly sold things stronger than just bourbon). They’ve been replaced with Kayoumy's bartending comrades and Verrastro's musician pals from the now defunct Warehouse Next Door. Casey Dalton (from Fox and Hounds) and Brandan “Seb” Hynes (from Saint-Ex) bartend. “The Kook”, “Bucket”, and “Crazy Damien” work the door. Verrastro calls them all a bunch of music geeks.

Kayoumy is reluctant to name the new owners of the bar to open next door, but he will be involved in some way. And he says the bars won’t compete. “It’s a family affair,” says Abdul, “All these people believe in the place.”

For upcoming shows see the Velvet’s redesigned website or ads in the City Paper custom-made each week by artist and musician Scott Allison. We're particularly looking forward to Jack Rose, a fingerpicking virtuoso on May 30, and New York psychedelic band Silver Apples on June 28.

While the new developments at Velvet Lounge have us curious and excited, we're not ones to cut and run from old favorites. If you're wondering where you can find Rob Curtis these days, he's taken up residence at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Here's what he had to say about his new gig:

Things are looking good at the Hotel. I have the new speaker system tuned fairly close to where I want it. I found and will be taking delivery on a new FOH console soon. I am looking forward to only being a sound person and having enough time off that I can be rested and enjoy my life some. Three nights a week doing only sound vs. seven nights a week doing sound, booking, the print ad, etc., etc. wasn't working at all. I was burnt out on that at least a year ago.

The folks at the Hotel are very nice and it has been a pleasure working with them.