Popular Trends in the DC Restaurant Name Game

When opening a new place, one of the biggest decisions a restaurateur will make is what to call it. And while some names seem pretty random—Sally’s Middle Name, we’re looking at you—they’re part of larger trends. Here’s what the last few years have brought us.

The Could-Be-Brothels

Photograph by Scott Suchman.

1. Johnny Pistola’s
2. Kitty’s Saloon
3. Rose’s Luxury
4. Dino’s Grotto
5. Mama Rouge
6. Red Light
7. Fishnet

The Could-Be-Tech-Start-Ups

via GIPHY

1. Slipstream
2. Clarity
3. Kintaro
4. Bidwell

Places Where You Might Think to Look for Magic Mike

via GIPHY

1. Beefsteak
2. Handsome Cock

Faux-Prole Hangouts

Roofer’s Union in Adam’s Morgan. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

1. Rural Society
2. Roofers Union
3. Petworth Citizen
4. The Pub & the People

Reasons You Might Need a Doctor

Photograph by Andrew Propp.

1. Purple Patch
2. Wicked Bloom*
3. Shawafel
4. The Pinch
5. Black Whiskey

Reasons You Might Need a Vet

via GIPHY

1. Twisted Horn*
2. Fainting Goat

Vague Threats

The first-floor dining room of Vendetta is cabin-esque, with plenty of wood paneling, and is lit by pendant lanterns from an old church. Photograph by Andrew Propp.

1. Vendetta
2. The Big Stick
3. Chupacabra
4. Eat the Rich
5. Meat in a Box

Colorful Menagerie

The Red Hen. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

1. Little Red Fox
2. The Red Hen
3. Black Squirrel
4. Lupo Verde

The Only-in-Washington Set

Le Diplomate. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

1. Lincoln
2. The Partisan
3. The Hamilton
4. Boss Shepherd’s
5. Teddy & the Bully Bar
6. Southern Efficiency
7. Le Diplomate
8. The Dignitary
9. Boundary Stone

Dandies

The Garrison. Photograph by Andrew Propp.

1. The Riggsby
2. The Dabney*
3. Garrison
4. Edgar

The Name of Your Next Indie Band

via GIPHY

1. B Side
2. Sally’s Middle Name
3. Baby Wale
4. Righteous Cheese
5. Copycat Co.

Things You Find Inside a Restaurant

Lots of nice lookin’ tables at Table. Photograph by Andrew Propp.

1. Table
2. Range
3. Brine
4. Barrel
5. Flight
6. Salt & Pepper

Vowel-Less Wonders

Photograph by Jeff Elkins.

1. GRK
2. MXDC
3. GCDC
4. DGS Delicatessen
5. GBD
6. STK
7. DBGB

When in Doubt, Just Throw in an Ampersand

via GIPHY

1. Crane & Turtle
2. Barrel & Crow
3. Barrel & Bushel
4. Fig & Olive
5. Crumbs & Whiskers
6. Villain & Saint
7. Stanton & Greene
8. &Pizza
9. Ivy & Coney
10. Meats & Foods

*Soon to open

This article appears in our August 2015 issue of Washingtonian.