Photo by joelogon.
Many were bummed to hear that Pharmacy Bar, the revered Adams Morgan dive, was up for sale.
Speaking with DCist back in March, owner Kristaps Kreslins said that, because he’s been living in Latvia for the past five years, he hasn’t been around to manage the bar and wanted to pass it off to someone else. Now he’s found a buyer. Two, actually: Reggie Elliott and Frank Hankins.
So what will become of Pharmacy? Will it remain unchanged, forever sporting the weirdest/best jukebox in D.C.? Or will it turn into another one of the many faceless establishments on 18th Street, packed wall-to-wall with party-goers every weekend? It’s too soon to tell, but in an email to DCist, Elliott says he’s very much aware of Pharmacy Bar’s reputation and plans to build on it.
“We have our own vision for the space and its potential,” he says. “We’re very aware of the explosion in the D.C. bar and food scene and are inspired by it. We hope to build on the reputation of Pharmacy Bar while, at the same time, meeting the demands of the rapid growth the food/bar/coffee scene has experienced. Yes, I said coffee.”
Elliott is the owner of No Wave Coffee Co., which he describes on the company’s Facebook page as “nothing more than a concept” at this point. However, it does list Pharmacy Bar’s address (2337 18th Street NW) as its current address.
In the meantime, Pharmacy Bar under its current ownership is having a send-off party tomorrow night. From Pharmacy’s Facebook page:
Cancel your plans tomorrow night to come say farewell to the old Pharmacy! There will be DJs and lots of familiar faces- maybe for the last time as the bar changes hands Thursday. Tell ALL your friends. Also maybe bring tissues.
See you guys there.