The construction process has been long, but On Saint Elmo is finally moving toward opening at 4915 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda. A sign crew was working to prepare the facade for installation of a permanent sign above the entrance this past weekend. Promising "coastal Mediterranean culinary and nightlife experiences," the restaurant and lounge will be led by chef partner Bryant Haren. A California native, Haren is a veteran of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Del Mar at The Wharf in Washington, D.C., and BARCA Pier & Wine Bar in Alexandria.
Initial operating hours are anticipated to be 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM Tuesday through Saturday. Development of On Saint Elmo has been quite a journey, given that the space was first leased in May of 2022. Demolition of the former tenant TAPP'D Bethesda's interior began in July 2022. This space had two much more famous former tenants, Union Jack's and The Shark Club.
The size of the venue gives On Saint Elmo great potential as a nightlife spot, if they can pull it off. Let's hope they can, as nightlife is nearly nonexistent in downtown Bethesda since the Montgomery County Council's disastrous 2012 "nighttime economy" initiative resulted in over 20 nightspots closing, cratering the nighttime economy altogether. Stay tuned for an opening date.
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