UNION JACK'S MAY BE UP FOR SALE IN BETHESDA, COLUMBIA, ANNAPOLIS

EXCLUSIVE

Bethesda's popular British pub may be up for sale, and the new owner would be free to change its theme away from the UK. While I've been hearing rumors from sources regarding the future of Union Jack's on St. Elmo Avenue for several months, I spotted a Craigslist ad that certainly raises questions.

The rub is that the public will not likely know of the sale until it happens; the seller is requiring confidentiality agreements to keep the sale private. However, the ad gives away enough detail to suggest the Union Jack's in Bethesda, Columbia and Annapolis are all up for sale.

First, the chain happens to have locations in all three towns. Second, Union Jack's has billiards and darts, as mentioned in the ad. "Game watching?" Check. "Late night DJ?" Check.

Is there any other chain bar meeting that description, with locations in all three locales? There is definitely no official announcement regarding the sale. But the writer of the ad gave us TMI to keep it secret.

The asking price for the 3-unit business is $2.75 million. And the ad says "Buyer can develop his/her own concept," so it would be up to the new owner whether the British theme stays or goes.

A Ballston location already closed earlier this year. But a new Union Jack's is still planned to open at Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg.

The Bethesda location is ample in size, and in a great spot, with the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower coming online early next year. Its space was formerly known as The Shark Club.