I’m happy to share I received the text: PRIDE on the Avenue opens its doors tomorrow, Friday, June 7!

To get an update, I had dropped by the space a few weeks ago to chat with Bill Blackburn, one of the owners, and Megan Arther, Director of Marketing at HomeGrown Restaurant Group. They were still in “build mode” – stringing the lights, changing the ceiling, boxes and boxes everywhere, and a few skis (from the previous popup) lined up outside. It was definitely all-hands on deck, and transition time. And this was right after Cinco De Mayo!

For those less familiar, it began with a Christmas popup in December 2021. “After Covid, we thought a lot about what we were going to do with the space. Were we going to reopen as a sushi bar? Do fast casual?” Bill shared. “There was a six month wait for restaurant equipment – what were we going to do for six months? We have a bar here and we have food next door (at Pork Barrel BBQ). So we went for it and created a holiday popup bar, JOY on the Avenue – and it was an immediate success.”

It was so well-received, that they did another popup – The Tiki Bar, “which was up for six or so months. And the staff and team really enjoyed it. It gave them a creative outlet and they had fun with it. So we said, we’ll keep doing it until it doesn’t work anymore. Then it was Christmas time again…and around Halloween we did Nightmare on the Avenue.”

As Danielle Anderson walked by carrying a bunch of items, she added, “We always have 15 or 20 ideas going.” And as lights were being hung, Bill pointed out, “this part isn't fun, tear it all down, build it back up, come up with a menu...it varies with each popup.”

For PRIDE on the Avenue, they partnered with Equality Virginia. Mike Anderson aka ‘Mango Mike’ also met with Freddie Lutz, the owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant in Crystal City, shared the plan and got his blessing. And there will be a Pride event at Pork Barrel BBQ, the weekend of June 22. “People asked us to do more events…more grassroots stuff. They asked for a Pride popup. We’re lucky to live in such a progressive city,” Bill said.

Highlights include a full drink and food menu with shareable plates. Megan shared that we should expect, “a great mix of cocktails – dirty martinis, espresso martinis, sangria and lighter cocktails for the summer.” And of course, plenty of neon, rainbows and iconic art for those photo opps! The hours: 4pm to close, Tuesday - Sunday.

Be one of the first to check out PRIDE at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue – and share the photos, please! Love is Love.