Temperance Hall open

[from Dan Searing]

Temperance Hall at 3634 Georgia Ave NW will be opening this evening, Friday Jan. 13 at 6:00pm. There will be a limited menu available till the full menu is in service in February, however, a full range of beer, liquor and wine will be served. Parking is available in the lot at the corner of Georgia and Otis.

Come on down and welcome this new addition to the burgeoning Petworth restaurant and bar scene.

Comments

[Alyson]

As Petworth residents, my fiance and I love Temperance Hall! We have been for dinner and brunch several times and have always walked away pleased and eager to go back. We have had the pleasure of Sade's service - we love you girl! - and she is fantastic. Overall, the staff is friendly and offers solid service.
The menu, albeit limited for the time being, is good and has something for everyone. The choosings have inventive elements, whether it be the Steak frites served sliced with a house made "secret" sauce or the Nicoise salad with a "compote" of tapanade in lieu of the standard tossed-in olives.
We eagerly await what is to come that only a seasoned restaurant/bar will offer. A few suggestions are: a more extended wine list, nightly food specials offering local produce, a more extended standard food menu, revolving food menu, monthly specials...Friday or Saturday night DJ downstairs maybe?.....possible wine tasting events?
The long-awaited full fledged neighborhood bar and restaurant in Petworth is finally realized in Temperance Hall!

[Jeremy]

Great Food, Great Beer selections, and awesome music options! Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt playing, makes for a perfect place to relax on a friday after work.

[Don]

Anything Dan Searing puts his mind to do, he's going to make work successfully, artfully and with a level of panache that is sure to liven up Petworth.

[Ladyjedi]

I am there frequently. It is a great bar and a wonderful crossroads of cultures! I love it!

[human_companion]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Temperance Hall now has a web site which you can point folks at:
http://www.temperancehalldc.com/

It has the full food, drink, and nightly specials menu as well as links to reviews and photos. Dan, the manager, and I are old friends and new neighbors. So any suggestions you have for the site please let us know (send mail to info at temperancehalldc.com).

[Lisa]

What an inviting interior! Nice menu, good service, and a pool table. I've tried it twice, and will go back as soon as the smoke clears with smoke-free legislation in place. It's painfully smokey, especially on the upper level.

Too bad.

[Alex]

I went couple weeks ago. LOVE IT!!!

Lived in the area for 5 years and I have been waiting for a decent spot in the area to stop by. It is nice not having to go to Adams Morgan all the time.

Just wondering what places like this are in the works

Kudos to Temperance Hall

[Will]

Haven't been to Temperance yet but I was waiting for it; we live in Crestwood and are fans of Petworth haunts like Domku. Weren't they supposed to serve lunch and brunch? We drove out there for brunch a few sundays ago and they were closed. Since have learned that they're only open for dinner... Is this temporary? W

[jtnt]

I was there opening night... I can't give it the screaming endorsement others have. Maybe I'm just overly-critical. Here are my thoughts (Note to others: It's OK for me to not like it and for you to like it, so no need to flame or get defensive. I don't like broccoli, either. Maybe you do. I'm cool with that.)

Didn't notice the internet jukebox (me and my friends headed straight upstairs, since the bar area was crowded), but that would explain the awful music. Twenties theme with Prince and AC/DC playing - way too loud? Just didn't fit (and I love to rock, don't get me wrong). I'm not asking for flapper music the whole time, but a bit more focus would be nice. (See Wonderland's exquisitely chosen - and therefore limited and focused - jukebox for tips.) In the end, I love the internet and the cool-factor of an internet jukebox, but endless choice of music and the public don't mix. Certainly not if you're trying to do up a theme or set yourself apart. And even if the music itself was spot-on, it would have still been too loud for the space.

Let's move from the bad, loud music to the restaurant... The mini-sloppies were good, so no complaints there, but I cannot imagine trying to have dinner here, because of the aforementioned music amd volume thereof. Also, if you sit in the rear-most tables, you're a yard stick or two away from the pool table and the noise it and its players bring. So, ok, it's a bar not a restaurant - but something tells me that's not exactly what they're going for.

Since I mentioned it... LOVE the fact that they do have a pool table, though. Hated the fact that there was no chalk for the cues. I'm sure they've got some now (right?), but the devil's in the details -- and first impressions.

The decor... While we loved the chandeliers, the wallpaper, and the little corner booth thingies, the cheap looking (to me) wooden booths weren't up to snuff and watered down the whole theme. Plus, they were uncomfortable.

The service was certainly not the best, but I"m willing to cut them some slack for opening night. However, when you ask your server what kind of beer they have on tap and he pulls out a list and that list doesn't even have all of them on there and he doesn't even know them when you name them for him... Seriously, I walked down to the tap and pointed to the beer I wanted at one point. Can't imagine what ordering a full meal for a table of six would be like. I'll give them a pass on this, try them again, and hope for the best (or just better staff).

All that said, I did enjoy the interesting selection of beers they did offer on tap - and a bit of a walk was a small price to pay to get the one I wanted.

The heavy paint smell, which I'm sure has vanished even now, just added to the overall stuffiness. We asked the server to turn the fan on the HVAC system on and that seemed to help, but we were left wondering not for the first time why someone that worked there didn't notice first.

We had a good conversation with the chef while we were waiting for the check. Glad to see him out and about, and he seemed enthusiastic about what was to come food-wise.

All this sounds resoundingly negative, and frankly, it fairly represents my feelings after my first visit there. That said, I will definitely go back to experience it on a non-opening night. Will go back again when the full menu rolls out.

I'm not saying Temperance Hall can't be good (or that I won't give them the chance to be so), I'm just saying it wasn't good the night we went. Or put another way, despite its own problems, after this first try, I'd pick Domku over TH anyday.

[Terra]

I live 5 blocks away and have been to Temperance 4 times since it opened. I'm so excited to have a neighborhood bar and restaurant that I intend to go at least once a week. I'm hoping it's the first of many catalysts for GA Ave (BTW - the yoga studio above it is also GORGEOUS!). The space and theme are unique and well-done. The staff and crowd are all very friendly. I've tried and liked the apple & cheese sandwich, beer & cheese soup & hummus. The only thing I did not like was the bruschetta. The beers are pricey but for the amount of money that went into the place it's ok with me. All in all, it has the makings of a great new DC destination!

[Bill]

Here's a link to a Post mini-review:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1119152&nm=0

[Erin]

I've been there a few times, with the same question about vegetarian selections in mind, and have put in a plug for more options -- options as substantial as the meat entrees and perhaps using faux meat -- with the manager. He seems very open to this suggestion, but it is unclear to me what our choices will ultimately be. Right now, that I can remember, they have a grilled cheese sandwich, a soup, and bruschetta that are vegetarian.

To add my thoughts to what others have said, so far I am a fan. The staff have been extremely friendly, the space is groovy, and it seems like Temperance Hall will be a great addition to Petworth.

[Jason]

My wife and I want to go there tonight, but hope they have vegetarian selections on the menu (read entres). If they don't now, maybe they will in Feb?

[Dan D]

I'm going to beat a dead horse and say...Temperance Rocks! Went there last night. Food, drinks, decour, location (go P-town!), staff, music (jukeboxes), pool table, silly flat screens all lead to a great place to eat and drink in our hood. The owners of Temperance "get it." Let's hope for others to follow suit.

[Tim]

Yeah, and if you like Manhattans and want to try the REAL Manhattan , get one made with Rye Whiskey...that is the BOMB! And I know for a fact, Dan makes a wicked Manhattan. Yep, I dig Temperance Hall and will (have?) made it my local watering hole.

[Son]

I went Friday night and was back on Sunday. I got to sample the menu which right now features Grand Opening offerings with more to come including Brunch on the weekends (plus a patio on the way too). From what I tried, I loved the chorizitos - mini sausage dogs made of chorizos from the same producer who supplies Jaleo's sausages. The mini Sloppy Joes are inventive and yummy. And the 4 meat chili exemplifies HEARTY. Nothing on the menu is more than $7. All very reasonable considering the quality is top notch and they're certainly a lot cheaper than what I have to shell out for my workaday lunch.

I found the drink prices fair given that the drafts are uber-microbrew, including an organic brown ale, and the spirits, especially the whiskeys and bourbons, were carefully selected for their uniqueness and character. I was even able to get an apple cider and it's actually $1 less than what I pay elsewhere. For martini fans out there, they're well prepared with all the preparations to swell your swill too.

Dan, the proprietor, told me that they are specializing in straight American Rye Whiskey. According to GQ, straight rye whiskey is the IT spirit now. Think Great Gatsby, JD Salinger, Ironweed. Don't think Canadian Club. Rye whiskey is also a welcome alternative for those not always in the mood for Irish whiskey, scotch or bourbon. And what a better place to try your hand at them than at an establishment in our very own neighborhood that takes great pride in offering this distinctive spirit!

Did you know that back in the day, Rye Whiskey was the drink of choice and that the Mid-Atlantic region had a proud tradition producing it? In fact, George Washington even made rye whiskey at his home in Mount Vernon!

I will definitely be back.

[Susan]

I went to Temperance Hall twice this weekend - I'm very happy with this great, friendly addition to the neighborhood. Love the decor with the velvet wallpaper and old chandeliers. I found the drink prices consistent with what you'd pay at any new place opening up in DC...OK to me given what must have gone into renovating this place and getting it up and running. We also tried the mini sloppy joes - yummy. I look forward to the full menu coming online!

[KAM]

The place seemed nice. But my big problem with this place and Domku is that the prices don't fit the neighborhood. I went to the soft opening and to my surprise had to pay 6 bucks for a draft beer and 4 bucks for a bottle. Now I expect to pay more at a bar then if I were at my own home, but 6/4 is just crazy. So say no to Temperance Hall until they wise up to the fact that their bar is not in Georgetown. But maybe I'm just cheap...which I very much am.

[Oscar]

Went last night. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was a bit scattered (you could tell the staff was still learning the ropes), but everyone was super-friendly and attentive. The food, though limited, was also quite good. I will definitely be coming here a lot. Hope others do as well.

[Alex]

We were there Friday night. It was packed and looks to have the makings of a fine bar. The mini sloppy joes were also quite solid.

[Mjbrox]

What A Great Place!

I had a good time and look forward to going back.

[Randy]

We went last night, couldn't resist. Very nice atmosphere, great staff and has the looks of a real neighborhood staple. I agree with Bill's comment, looks to be more of a bar scene but they will have to separate themselves from th e already entrenched and wonderful Wonderland ballroom to stay busy. I hop ethey will pursue the more relaxed restaurant atmosphere/pub than a full blown bar. I spoke with the chef and he concurred that they will be rolling out a much more substantial menu in a month or so after the get up and running. This would be a great time to give suggestions if you have them.

[Bill]

Cool place, good turnout, we had a great time. Bar in front, pool table in back, sort of an eclectic old-timey theme (not overdone). Small second bar downstairs in the back. Overall a bit more of a bar than a restaurant, the full menu is still a few weeks away. The manager told me some decor elements are not in place yet. But it looked good and felt good esp. for their first night.

[Ed]

OK, so It's Sat and I have to work tonight so won't be going by Temperance Hall today, but did anybody go last night? Any first impressions out there?

[jtnt]

I'll definitely be checking this place out, but I wonder why it took them so long to get going. Back in May it was "any day now" and then in August it was supposed to be open by Labor Day. Now, it really is opening, but with a limited menu... We'll see.