Photo by specimenlife.
Well, that didn’t last long.
Less than a week after reopening its doors, The Reef announced today that they’ll be closing shop permanently. The popular Adams Morgan bar was temporarily shut down and had its liquor license suspended after a security guard allegedly stabbed two patrons.
Although a compromise was recently reached between The Reef and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to reopen the business, it seems as though a combination of other factors led the decision. The Post reports that The Reef will cease operation immediately. Owner Brian Harrison told the Post that “due to recent events, we’re unable to operate,“ and that “there’s 10 different reasons why this is happening.”
DCist reached out the The Reef’s management, but they declined to comment on the matter, stating that “someone will get back to us as soon as possible.” We’ll update when we know more.
In the meantime, The Reef has posted this goodbye message on their Facebook page:
To Our Community,
As many of you know, the last few weeks have been very challenging for the Reef. After much effort, and cooperation between the ownership, our amazing staff and community, and the ABRA, we were able to regain our license and reopened our doors. However, as a result of the recent events we can no longer operate.
It has been our honor to be a part of the Adams Morgan Community for almost 12 years. We know many of you consider The Reef home and we consider you all family.
While we can no longer call 2446 18th St. home, we know that the friendships that have been created between the hundreds of employees and thousands of customers we have had the privilege to serve will endure for a lifetime.
Please welcome whoever is fortunate enough to recreate this space as you welcomed us all those years ago.
And please like The Reef on Facebook if you would “like” to be a part of an ongoing community. Who knows what will be next for us, but as always, everybody will be invited!
To everyone we say, “Cheers Bro”, and Thank You.
The Reef
