As predicted by many in the industry, the pandemic as well as the associated restrictions have led restaurants/bars to announce that they are closing permanently. In addition, many spots 1) reopened but since have announced winter/indefinite closures including takeout (Still hoping to come back, despite poor reading comprehension and/or less optimism than me by many) and 2) spots that have not reopened but haven’t announced permanent closures.  The ones in DC that serve alcohol are listed below.

Last Updated: April 8 2021

Permanent Closures

(date of opening in parentheses)
* indicates that they didn’t close due to pandemic per their announcement

1. Post Pub (1974/1976)
2. The Meeting Place (1970s)
3. Otello (1985)
4. The Big Hunt (1992)
5. The Oval Room (1994; new concept from same owners coming)
6. Eighteenth Street Lounge (1995)
7. Capitol Lounge (current owner says 1994, but I think it’s 1996)
8. Fado (1998)*
9. Twins Jazz (1987/last location 2000)
10. Legal Sea Foods Chinatown (late 90s/early 00s?)
11. Montmartre (2001)
12. Lucky Strike (2005)
13. Billy Goat Tavern (2005)
14. The Source (2007)
15. Cafe Soleil (2008)
16. Wisdom (2008)
17. The Gibson (2008)
18. Seventh Hill Pizza (2009)
19. Ziegfield’s/Secrets (1980; last location 2009)*
20. Molly Malone’s/Finn McCool’s (2009)
21. U Street Music Hall (2010)
22. Acqua al 2 (2010)
23. Kitty O’Shea’s (2011)
24. El Centro D.F. 14th (2011)
25. District Commons (2011)
26. Burger Tap & Shake (2011)
27. Codmother (2011)
28. Harold Black (2012)
29. Bistro Bohem (2012)
30. Maddy’s Tap Room (2012)
31. A&D Bar (2012)
32. Matchbox 14th (2012)
33. Cusbah (2012)
34. Taqueria Nacional 14th/T (2012)
35. Sushi Para (2012)
36. Roses De Javu (2012) (to be replaced by spot called Vibes on H)
37. Red Rocks H Street (2013)
38. B Too (2013)
39. Rebellion (2014)
40. Coppi’s Organic (early 90s/last location 2014)
41. Willie’s (2014; will be new concept from same owners  called Stadium Sports)
42. Oki Bowl M St (2014)
43. Texas de Brazil (2015)
44. Momofuku/Milk Bar (2015)
45. Sotto (2015)
46. Campono (2015)
47. The Airedale (2015)
48. DC Eagle (1971; last location 2015)*
49. Big Chief (2016)
50. Bareburger Dupont (2016)
51. Declaration Shaw (2016)
52. Nocturne (2017)
53. Johnny’s Half Shell (1999; last location 2017)
54. America Eats Tavern (2018)
55. A Rake’s Progress (2018)
56. Taco Bamba Chinatown (2018)
57. Circa Chinatown (2018)
58. Poca Madre (2018)
59. Taqueria Local (2018)
60. Po Boy Jim’s on 9th/Shaw (2018)
61. High Street Cafe (2018)
62. Declaration Navy Yard (2018
63. Olivia (2019)
64. Phillips Seafood and Steak (2019)
65. Pom Pom (2019)
66. Emilie’s (2019-will now be Paraiso)
67. Roy Boys Navy Yard (2019)

Other notable closures of non-booze spots include: Amsterdam Falafelshop 14th St, Sundevich Georgetown, several Beefsteak locations, Firehook Bakery (CP), Mason Dixie, Peregrine 14th, Pleasant Pops, Red Hook Lobster

Indefinite Closures

Dates in () were the last day they were open in 2020.  Many have closed for the foreseeable future, and have uncertain futures, but several have stated they will return. Spots that closed after the indoor dining “pause” was announced will be added if they don’t reopen after the pause is over.

Crossed out means that reopening has been announced or has occured.

1. Dio (6/14; plans to open again, perhaps at Phase 3)
2. Magnolia (7/10; “closed for the foreseeable future”)
3. Echo Park (closed in Julyish; closed for “the foreseeable future”)
4. The Public Option (briefly opened for to-go sales in July, cancelled liquor license but will reopen post-vaccine)
5. Northside Tavern  (sometime in July or August. “We hope to reopen again in the future.”)
6. H Street Country Club (early August, reopened briefly as wing virtual restaurant)
7. District Chophouse (closed in Summer or fall; “We hope to be back open soon)
8. Som Tam Union Market (9/13; “back at some point”)
9. The Partisan/Red Apron Butcher PQ (9/28; “hope to reopen as soon as the time is right”)
10. Muzette (10/11 closing til Phase 3)
11. Carving Room Mt Vernon (10/25; closing “temporarily…We will continue to look for ways to re-open our doors and hope to see you all again”)
12. Declaration Shaw (10/28ish. “temporarily pausing operations…fullest intention to re-open sometime in the near future”) [Permanent closure]
13. American Ice Co. (10/31; closed for “the foreeseeable future” but currently available for private parties)
14. The Brixton (10/31; closed for “the foreeseeable future”)
15. Hazel (10/31. was only open 10/1-31; “shutter our doors for the foreeseable future…until we see you someday.”)
16. Declaration Nats Park/Navy Yard (11/3; “”temporarily pausing operations…fullest intention to re-open sometime in the near future”)[permanently closed]
17. Smoke and Barrel (11/23 last day, announced 11/30. Hoping to “reopen early next year with lower rent and less space.”) [hopes to reopen in April]
18. Boundary Stone (11/25; closed “until further notice…we are hopeful that we will be welcoming you all again at some point.”) [opening April 15th]
19. Last Call (11/29, was only open 9/5-11/29; closed “for the time being…our Last Hurrah until we see you again!”)
20. Da Hong Pao (12/16, closed “until further notice”)
21. Daily Grill (temporarily closed)
22. Monocle (closed in Nov/Dec “temporarily closed due to further COVID restrictions”) [reopening April 13th)
23. Public Bar (1/10/20, “pausing operations…look forward to opening back up, sooner than later”)

Other notable indefinite closures of non-booze spots include Breadline

Winter Closures

These spots have indicated that they plan to return in March/spring. Dates in () were the last day they were open in 2020. Spots that closed after the indoor dining “pause” was announced will be added if seems they won’t reopen after the pause is over.

1. Ristorante Tosca (10/10, will reopen in spring 2021)
2. Coconut Club/Subbie’s (10/18; “Our plans are to close for fall and winter, with reopening plans for 2021”)
3. Room 11 (10/31 but lunch to-go cafe still open; “We hope to return in April – perhaps with a new look or  anew name”))
4. Free State (11/7; “look forward to seeing you safely in the spring”) 
5. Penn Social (11/21, was only open 9/13-11/21. “Closed for the winter”)
6. Madhatter (11/22, was only open 9/20-11/22. “temporarily closing our doors for the holiday season.”)
7. Boqueria Penn Quarter (early Dec. still closed)
8. Pearl Street Warehouse (12/12; “our last weekend of 2020”; “winter intermission”)
9. Tyber Creek (12/13, “winter hibernation”)
10. Electric Cool-Aid (12/13, back in spring, likely would normally close winter anyways)
11. Sandlot Southeast (12/13, back in spring, likely would normally close winter anyways)
12. The Pig (12/13, close “for the winter, with the hope of reopening … in the spring”. Menu items at Commissary/Logan Tavern)
13. Grillfish (12/13, close “for the winter, with the hope of reopening … in the spring”. Menu items at Commissary/Logan Tavern)
14. DC9 (12/19, “last day until March” though could be earlier)
15. La Jambe Shaw (12/20, “hibernating for a few months…we will be back”)
16. Left Door (12/20, taking a “winter break”)
17. Tune Inn (12/23, “closed until further notice” with occassional holiday to-go specials
18. Solly’s (12/24, closed “until March”)
19. Cordoroy/Baby Wale (“temporarily closed for winter hibernation” but soup available many nights)

Has Not Reopened Since March 16th, 2020 Restaurant/Bar Shutdown (very incomplete)

Cross out means reopening has been announced.

1. Velvet Lounge (reportedly for sale)
2. Dodge City
3. Quara (possibly permanently)
4. Astro Beer Hall
5. Marvin
6. Player’s Club
7. The Pug
8. China Chilcano
9. Minibar
10. Dan’s Cafe
11. Bravo Bar
12. Bier Baron (hosting streaming comedy shows)
13. Bedrock Billiards
14. 9:30 Club
15. Black Cat
16. Echostage
17. Jackpot
18. Rocket Bar
19. Denson Liquor Bar (but may be reopening soon)
20. The Boardwalk
21. Bravo Bravo
22. Living Room
23. Opera Ultra Lounge
24. L8
25. Spin
26. Heist
27. St. Arnold’s on Jefferson
28. Pure Lounge
29. Tropicalia
30. The Dabney Cellar
31. Club Timehri
32. The Tombs
33. JImmy Valentine’s
34. Madam’s Organ
35. The Anthem
36. Truth 78
37. 12Twelve/KyssKyss
38. Nomad (currently used by Queen Vic outdoor seating)
39. Russia House
40. Ozio (2.0)
41. Edgar Bar & Kitchen
42. Mari Vanna
43. Rosebar
44. Saint Yves
45. Hawthorne
46. New Vegas Lounge
47. Lost Society
48. b burger bar
49. Ultrabar
50. Sichuan Pavillion (may be permanently closed)
51. Union Trust
52. Bar Deco
53. Carmine’s
54. Rosa Mexicana
55. Junction Bakery
56. Maialino Mare
57. The Fireplace
58. Plume
59. Hank’s Capitol Hill