The interior design of the new Matchbox restaurant opening soon at Bethesda Row is rounding into final shape. In addition to patriotic American flags, a hyperlocal artwork adorns one wall panel. A stylized matchbox of the literal sort is depicted emblazoned with an image of the marquee tower of the historic Bethesda Theatre at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue.
This is a grand touch given that the art deco movie theater, now home to Bethesda Blues & Jazz, is the crown jewel of the few remaining historic buildings in downtown Bethesda. If you do not gasp the first time you round the wall from the lobby and concessions area and enter the majestic auditorium, you probably are not human, or just have terrible taste in art.
Perhaps the most famous fan of the Bethesda Theatre was screen legend Clark Gable. He sent a congratulatory telegram to the theatre on opening night, May 19, 1938, when the movie palace debuted as The Boro Theater. It doesn't get any better than that.
15 comments:
Are there any booths at all? The build out looks nice I guess but at the same time, doesn't seem that comfortable looking.
Ahh, the good old days when smoking was allowed in theaters. What could possibly go wrong? I do like the mural of the matchbook. Is this based on real matchbooks that were distributed at the theater, or is this simply an artful interpretation of the past?
Looks like a fun place. I hope they open in time to have a beer and a pie while watching the Nats win the World Series!
"If you do not gasp...you have terrible taste in art."
Says the guy whose bedroom/YouTube studio has Christmas gift wrap as wallpaper.
Dyer's haters are the most bland, humorless people (see 7:42AM)
Wonder if Dyer will complain about the closing time and no drive thru at Matchbox?
6:28 AM - Matchbox is not known for "booths" in any of their locations. Their style of seating is open or counter, giving the area a more open feel. Wanna booth, stick with Tasty D.
That will be the last thing left of the Bethesda Theater. Rick Brown in panhandling on indiegogo for $240K, raised $8900. Big tax trouble.
Don’t forget the ugly Star Wars wall.
I believe they will close at 11:30 on weekend nights. Early for a bar (this isn't just a bar), but in line with their hours in Rockville but Silver Spring is open until 1am on the weekend. Seems like an acknowledgement that Bethesda doesn't draw late night crowds anymore.
8:01 - you must not know matchbox very well. The Rockville location is full of booths both in the bar and the main dining area.
10:16 AM You also must not know “matchbox” very well either, or you would know that it is proper name and is capitalized as Matchbox.
10:32am give folks some slack typing on iPhones and such
Skippy, you forgot to end your comment with a period, and such.
Unless the photos are flipped, the U.S. flag shown is hung incorrectly.
The blue field (the union) should always be in the upper left corner to the observer's eye. I appreciate the display of our flag, but it should be done correctly. Hopefully it's just that the photos are flipped.
9:03: The photos are not flipped.
Post a Comment