Drinx Closing Doors Soon (As Well As Red Sage)

Interesting about drinx, i am hopeful for a more interesting joint in that spot. i had high hopes when it first opened, but the few times that I went there, i found it overpriced and bland. i disagree with the article that the lack of popularity had to do with the fact that it was a block off 7th street — other places are, say Zaytinya, and they do just fine.

I haven’t seen Drinx open for several weeks now. As the linked article points out that location in the Verizon Center has proven to be difficult for business.

I was surprised that the article went on to say that the opening of the Newseum might prove beneficial for a future business. I predict the Harmon theater right across the street will have far more impact.

The Drinx space will be a hot location when the Harmon Center opens across the street. As it is now, it is 1/2 block away from the action and has always been a black hole. Drinx was a real asset to the neighborhood — inexpensive, half decent, and a nice staff. I am sure that the parent company that owns them (as well as dozen of restaurants in DC and across the US) will find a new concept to fill the space.

theres a big deal happening with the church next to MLK. looks like the church is selling air rights to upgrade homeless services. PN hoffman is in on the deal.

wheresmycoffee: Yep – we covered it a while ago here.

I’ve tried to go to Drinx a few times over the last couple of years. They’ve either been closed or packed. I think the Harmon Center and the Newseum will have a big impact on the area. With Wolfgang Puck’s place, House of Blues and a few other things opening that side of 7th, our neighborhood is about to see some expansion.

Drinx was pretty good… when it was open. Agree with jon gann that the corner was definitely a black hole. But the Harmon Center and all the new construction up and down 6th St should hopefully turn things around. Cosmo dwellers must be thrilled.

What’s Wolfgang Puck’s place? I think I missed that..

Wolfgang Puck’s new place, The Source, will be in the Newseum

What other retail/eating establishments are opening at the Harmon Center?

Oh great, thanks for filling me in on The Source.. Sounds good to me……it will be a nice addition

The loss of Red Sage, though not in the PQ neighborhood, is an historic loss for DC. They were pioneers in making a large and bold retsuant investment east of 16th Stret, and brought in a whole new style and flair to the staid DC restaurant market. Among other things, the food had a new and exciting taste that had been lacking in DC. IMHO, all of the new restaurants that have succeeded in the last 10+ years in our neighborhoods (and their patrons) owe a debt of gratitude to Red Sage. So, please GPLiving, understand if I do not share in your eagerness for a new restaurant in that space without recognizing what we are losing. That being said, I do wish Red Sage had found a way refresh tehir concept, but I also understand the options presented by their landlord might have made this impossible.

From the photos and construction info on their web site, it looks like Harman won’t have any additional street level retail. But the building next door is up for sale/lease, so there’s hope there (the building wasn’t integrated into Harman–it’s the actual building and not merely a facade).

http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/harman/harman_hall/index.aspx

As for Drinx, I think they had a bad concept. Too pricey for a sports bar, not innovative enough for a nice restaurant–and they were trying to be both.

I’m not suprised that there’s no restaurant in the Harmon Center. Evidently over the years the Shakespeare Theatre has had some times at the Lansburgh when they have had to evacuate the theater during a perfomance due to fire emergencies at the restaurants or the apartments in the Lansburgh.

The Red Sage certainly was innovative. In 1993. The restaurant was looking and tasting really tired lately, and the service definitely didn’t make up for it. They deserve a spot in DC’s culinary history, but I’m very happy they’re moving on to newer enterprises.

Red Sage certainly would never win any awards for awesome service, but the chicken fajitas are so scrumptious! Damn you, landlord.