A number of schools, theaters, and businesses are cancelling or postponing indoor activities as Covid-19 surges around DC. Restaurants and bars are following suit. On Friday, as DC reported 844 new cases—shattering the previous record of 508 new cases on Thursday—businesses began to send out messages of closures via social media.
The trend isn’t limited to bars and restaurants where an employee tested positive (often citing a post-booster breakthrough). On Friday, Maketto owner Erik Bruner-Yang was the first high-profile chef to close his flagship restaurant for indoor dining through the rest of year, “out of an abundance of caution to our staff and guests.”
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has urged residents to get vaccinated and boosted. (She did not reinstate the District’s long-running mask mandate, which was lifted in November.) Experts suggest thinking twice before going to that big holiday gathering, especially if no vaccines or tests are required.
Here’s a running list of businesses that are temporarily closed. (In the past week, Shaw bar O.K.P.B. and Lucky Buns in Adams Morgan also temporarily closed, but are back open following testing.) We’ll update with more information as it becomes available. Know a business that’s closing? Email Aspiegel@washingtonian.com.
Closed for Indoor Dining
2 Amys – The popular pizzeria, which operated as takeout-only for much of the pandemic, is closed again for indoor dining. Outdoor patio and takeout available. Check the website for updated hours/services.
Denizens Brewing Co. – The Silver Spring brewery is closed for indoor seating through January 7 (outdoor seating and takeout available). The brewery plans to require proof of vaccination from patrons once they reopen indoors.
Anju – The modern Korean restaurant is temporarily closed for indoor dining through December 27 (closed December 24 and 25). They’ll reopen on December 28 with limited capacity and distancing in place, and no bar seating.
Lucky Buns – The Adams Morgan burger bar is closed for indoor dining (and taking a holiday break December 24-25). Takeout and delivery are available otherwise.
Kuya Ja – Rockville’s popular Filipino fast-casual has paused indoor dining, and recommends online ordering versus walk-in orders. Delivery also available.
Pie Shop DC – The pie shop and live music venue has cancelled shows and returned to a takeout and delivery model again (including for holiday orders).
Espita – Shaw’s Oaxacan restaurant is closed for indoor dining through December 27. In the meantime, they’ll offer Ghostburger takeout and delivery.
The Imperial – The Adams Morgan cocktail bar and restaurant is closed until December 29.
Mozzeria – The H Street pizzeria is closed through the rest of the year for indoor dining, and will offer takeout and delivery.
Nido – The Spanish wine bar and market in Mt. Pleasant announced that they’re suspending indoor dining and wine tastings. Shoppers are still welcome—with masks.
Maketto and ABC Pony – Chef Erik Bruner-Yang has closed his flagship H Street restaurant for indoor dining the remainder of the year, and is offering takeout and delivery. Sister spot ABC Pony just announced they’re going to a takeout model through December 23, and then closed for a holiday break through January 4.
Temporarily Closed
The Pig – Logan Circle’s pork-centric restaurant is closed for an undetermined period of time.
Maxwell Park Shaw – The wine bar is closed through Sunday, December 26. A Navy Yard holiday pop-up remains open.
Quarry House Tavern – Silver Spring’s beloved dive is closed through Sunday, December 26 to allow staff time to test.
Red Hen – The popular Italian restaurant in Bloomingdale, which operated as all-takeout for over a year in the pandemic, is temporarily closed through December 26. Per the owners: “stay tuned for updates after the holidays.”
Rako Coffee -The Arlington cafe is closed through Sunday, December 26.
Baker’s Daughter Chinatown – The branch of chef Matt Baker’s all-day cafe is closed until further notice (Ivy City and Downtown locations remain open).
Looking Glass Lounge – After staff members tested positive, the Georgia Avenue bar is closed until further notice.
The Midlands Beer Garden – Park View’s indoor/outdoor beer garden is closed through Christmas.
Fiola Mare – Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s swanky Georgetown waterfront restaurant is closed for staff testing through December 22.
Commonwealth Cantina – After a staff member tested positive, the Mexican spot is closed until December 22.
Tiger Fork – The Blagden Alley Chinese restaurant is temporarily closed as of December 18 after a staff member tested positive.
Thip Khao – Chef Seng’s Laotian restaurant in Columbia Heights is temporarily closed for testing as of December 18. Sister restaurant Hanumanh has cancelled their noodle pop-up through the rest of the year.
Columbia Room and Disco Mary – The Shaw cocktail and wellness bar is temporarily closed “to prioritize the health and safety of our guests.”
Mintwood Place – The Adams Morgan bistro is closed for the weekend—reopening TBD—citing two staff members who were fully vaccinated/boosted but tested positive.
Ivy and Coney – Shaw’s divey bar—which requires proof of vaccination from customers and staff—is closed for the foreseeable future as it’s testing staff.
Grand Duchess – The Adams Morgan bar is temporarily closed, citing a need for staff testing after multiple bar guests tested positive.
Slash Run – The Petworth burger spot is closed for the weekend of December 17 after a staff member tested positive.
Bar Charley – After a staff member tested positive, the Adams Morgan bar/restaurant is closed for the weekend of December 17.
Lost & Found – Citing a breakthrough case in a triple-vaccinated staff member, the Shaw bar is closed for testing and cancelling holiday parties.
O-Ku – Sushi spot O-Ku near Union Market is closed for the weekend of December 17 after a team member tested positive.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
