Hope everyone enjoyed last week; I took an uncharacteristically long vacation through PA, upstate NY and Ontario (Niagara area and Toronto). I still kept tabs on bar goings-and-ons:

• Bar News
  • After I reported that Cause would be closing some time this month, both DCist and Young & Hungry did real journalism and got in touch with the owner, who said the philanthropub would be closing, but only temporarily as the owners make repairs and go on vacation. The plot slightly thickens, though, as the owner did not pinpoint a re-opening date.
  • As first reported earlier by Barred in DC, the Post’s Fritz Hahn provides additional details about the Adams Morgan underage haven Shenanigans troubles (two separate liquor license suspensions this summer and fall)
  • The Reef, closed after a bouncer stabbed a patron, re-opened on Wednesday the 22nd after it submitted a security plan (Fritz Hahn/WaPo)
  • Two new outdoor spaces open up in DC relatively under the radar:
    • Midtown Partyplex (Dupont) opened up a rooftop lounge on Friday that will be open year-round. Guest of a Guest first broke this news and shares additional details. Urbandaddy also had a quick take on this.
    • Tonic at Quigley’s (Foggy Bottom) opened up a new beer garden with green space and picnic tables.  Will definitely be popular with the GW students; the underrated spot apparently even plans to keep it open to the public during closed hours. (PoPville, Twitter)
  • Excited about this bit of news: Baby Wale set to open this week in Shaw. From the Corduroy (a nearby fine dining spot) folks, this bar will have moderately-priced food options (lobster rolls, pupusas) and great drinks in Shaw at 9th & M NW (Eater)
  • Big news on the Capitol Hill restaurant/bar scene: Xavier Cervera has been brought back to consult/operate the several establishments he recently sold. These places include Hawk & Dove, Boxcar Tavern, Molly Malone’s, Park Tavern, Lola’s Barracks Bar & Grill, and a couple of other restaurants. (Tim Carman/WaPo)
  • Cervera also plans to open up a gastropub in Shaw, The American, in a space that is currently home to a boxing gym and a parking lot. Ambitiously, he hopes to open in 7 months (March 2014); my bet is that it opens in June. Will be very interesting how it pans out, it’s basically a bar in an alley. (Carman/WaPo)
  • Tabaq Bistro, the U street bar with a unique retractable rooftop, has closed. New owners have bought the bar and aim to open the Borka Kitchen & Bar in its place soon. (PoPville)
  • U Street/14th Street bargoers will have a new spot to get grub after last call: Amsterdam Falafelshop will be opening in early 2014 at 14th and T. Unlike the current, popular AdMo location, this spot will serve beers. (first reported by Washington Business Journal, WaPo)
  • Uptown Tap House, which took over the former 4P’s space in Cleveland Park a year ago, will be closed until after Labor Day, and apparently will go more upscale. (PoPville)
  • Great burger happy hours in DC: The Black Squirrel, Scion, Chef Geoff’s, The Red Derby, 1905 (Fritz Hahn/WaPo)
  • Bistro Bohem debuts Fri/Sat late night happy hour from 10p-2a. Lots of $5 drinks, along with other food options in this Slavic spot in Shaw. (PoPville)
  • Bar located in former firehouse on North Capitol near R Street in Bloomingdale applies for liquor license; will have a cigar bar and be run by the folks who operate Shaw’s Tavern. It will apparently be called Washington Firehouse and hopes to be open very late 2013 or early 2014. (PoPville)
  • Going Out Gurus publishes a nice list of bars to get your English Premier League (that’s soccer in case you didn’t know) on (Fritz Hahn/WaPo)
• Barred in DC Activity: 
  • Rasika West End (bar area isn’t crowded, even on a Friday at 7p)
  • M Street Bar and Grill (Dupont) ($5 happy hour all night)
  • Glen’s Garden Market (Dupont) (local & craft beers always $4)
  • Jack Rose (Adams Morgan)
  • Board Room (Dupont)
  • Toronto, Canada – cool city, grittier than I expected, but lots of friendly folks, great eats and drinks
    • Union (Ossington Strip)
      • Cool hipster spot with good food, a chill back patio, and a well mixed Aperol Spritz-which was on the menu of every spot we went to basically)
    • Reposado Bar and Lounge (Ossington Strip)
      • Awesome tequila bar with a DJ or live music every night and a cozy patio in back; bartenders at other bars raved about this place
    • The County General (West Queen West)
      • Amazing chicken thigh sandwich and great comfort-type cocktails, closes on early side
    • Mill Street Brewery (Distillery District/Old Town)
      • Beers are ubiquitous around town, get the 4 beer sampler
      • Distillery District has a really cool setting
    • Hemingway’s (Yorkville)
      • Chill bar in upscale part of town; huge rooftop areas, lots of vegetation
    • Souz Dal (Little Italy)
      • great cocktails, cheap feature cocktail each night (great $6 Mojito the night we were there); awesome bartenders and hilarious local regulars.
      • The bartender’s take on the Caesar, which is a Canadian Bloody Mary, was a revelation (tequila, Clam + tomato juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Siracha, Beet juice, and red wine float)