American Tap Room closes at Bethesda Row

What I reported nine days ago is now official: American Tap Room has permanently closed at Bethesda Row. This is the 16th nightspot in downtown Bethesda to close after the disastrous "nighttime economy" initiative of Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer. American Tap Room was also clearly devastated by the Council's failure to require the developer of 7272 Wisconsin Avenue to provide a replacement cineplex after demolishing the Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10.

American Tap Room was, along with The Barking Dog on Elm Street, one of the last-remaining after-midnight options for moviegoers one block from the Regal Cinemas. The restaurant and bar at 7278 Woodmont Avenue was open until 2:00 AM. The combination of the Riemer-driven implosion of nightlife in Bethesda, and the loss of theater-related foot traffic, was too much for American Tap Room to overcome.

The Bethesda outpost of American Tap Room is also the latest major dining closure since the Regal closed two years ago. Longtime anchors Lebanese Taverna and Redwood went out of business despite years of success before the demolition of the Regal. Bethesda Row is now reeling from numerous, large vacant storefronts - ATP, with the closures of Taylor Gourmet and Kapnos Kouzina, makes a solid wall of shuttered restaurants along Woodmont Avenue at the Federal Realty property.

American Tap Room's space may not remain vacant for long, however. Matchbox is rumored to be the next tenant there in the near future. For now, the restaurant's welcoming torches have gone dark, another sad statement about the County Council's ongoing war against bar and restaurant owners.

American Tap Room closing at Bethesda Row?

I'm hearing that American Tap Room may close at the end of the month at Bethesda Row. No such official announcement has been made by the restaurant's ownership, however. Rumor is that it will be replaced by Matchbox, which is also replacing another closed restaurant in Silver Spring. Stay tuned.

American Tap Room closed today for renovations at Bethesda Row (Photos)

American Tap Room will be closed today, Wednesday, September 21, for renovations. They will reopen tomorrow, September 22, for a "relaunch" of the restaurant. Given that the chain's Clarendon location closed recently, there may have been some concern among patrons finding the restaurant closed. However, as you can see in the photos here, there are actual renovations going on inside.

American Tap Room is a PokéStop at Bethesda Row (Photos)

American Tap Room wants to be a PokéStop at Bethesda Row. They're offering 15% off if you post your catch with their location - the restaurant will be dropping Pokémon lures between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and from 9:00 to 11:00 PM.

I also have to give a shout-out to whoever the talented artist is who hand-draws these announcements on the sandwich board outside the restaurant. This should only increase the Pokémon Go fever in downtown Bethesda.

7278 Woodmont Avenue

301-656-1366

WHERE TO WATCH USA VS. BELGIUM WORLD CUP MATCH IN BETHESDA

Which bars in Bethesda will be showing the USA vs. Belgium World Cup match today, July 1, at 4:00 PM? The question might be, which bars aren't showing the game? But here are a few among them who are offering specials during the game:

4935 Bar & Kitchen

Stop in at 4935 Bar & Kitchen starting at 3:30 PM. World Cup specials will include $1 oysters, $3 draft beers, $6 specialty cocktails, and half-price appetizers.

4935 Cordell Avenue

American Tap Room

There are always plenty of TV screens at American Tap Room at Bethesda Row. Specials will include loaded fries, Signature ATR Wings and a patriotic Tito's Red White & Boom cocktail.

7278 Woodmont Avenue

Brickside Food & Drink

With a 160" HD screen, Brickside Food & Drink has a lot of best seats in the house. Specials during the game will include $3 Miller lite and yuengling drafts, $4 rail drinks, $4 house wine for sophisticated types, $4 Premium drafts, $5 craft drafts, and $5 bombs in case everything goes south for your team.

4866 Cordell Avenue

Mussel Bar

Here's a very interesting spot to watch the game. The Belgian-inspired Mussel Bar will be hosting the game, so you might feel at home no matter which team is yours in this match. Specials will include $5 Palm (from Belgium) or Flying Dog (from Frederick, MD USA) drafts.

7262 Woodmont Avenue

BACON + BEER + BOURBON = AN ALL-AMERICAN [TAP ROOM] SUMMER AT BETHESDA ROW

American Tap Room at Bethesda Row is celebrating an All-American Summer with bacon, beer and bourbon.

Now through July 13, enjoy ATR's Bacon-Inspired Menu, which this week features the Baconanza Burger - a hamburger patty stuffed with bacon, onion and cheese, and topped with 3 strips of bacon, bacon mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato.

This Wednesday, June 18, stop by their Bethesda Row location between 6 and 8 PM, for a Starr Hill brewery Limited Reserve tasting.

Top off the celebration with a Bacon, Bourbon & Beer Dinner on Thursday, July 10 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The cost is $59, and you can purchase your seat(s) in advance by calling 301-656-1366.

American Tap Room

7278 Woodmont Avenue

NEW PATIO AT AMERICAN TAP ROOM AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

American Tap Room's patio has gotten a makeover. Alas, today's weather is not conducive to testing it out!

AMERICAN TAP ROOM EXTENDS VALENTINE'S DAY MENU IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Was your Valentine's Day Weekend so romantic that you don't want it to end? American Tap Room is the place for you. They're extending their Valentine's Day menu specials through this Wednesday, February 19.

LIVE MUSIC AT AMERICAN TAP ROOM AT BETHESDA ROW

Bethesda Row's restaurant and bar best known for its live piano player is expanding its repertoire.

Starting tonight at 9:30, American Tap Room will feature live music from a variety of performers, every Thursday and Friday night at its Bethesda location.

Friday nights, live music will begin at 10:00.

Go for the beer list, and stay for the music.

MAN-MOSAS, BACON AND LOBSTER: FATHER'S DAY AT BETHESDA ROW

Here are two of the best Father's Day brunch menus in town; they might even make up for giving a tie as a gift!

Forget the bottomless mimosas that make girls-brunch-out go by faster.  American Tap Room is offering the testosterone-friendly Man-mosa as its featured adult refreshment.

At Uncle Julio's, the magic words "bacon" and "lobster" will hit a home run faster than Bryce Harper.

Bethesda Row is the place to be for Father's Day, and don't forget about the Bethesda Central Farm Market from 9-1 today at Bethesda ES.

AMERICAN TAP ROOM NOW HAS HALF-PRICE WINE BOTTLES MON-WED NIGHTS!

Big news from American Tap Room at Bethesda Row:

You can now order half-price wine bottles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights!

A number of restaurants have a half-price wine night.  One or two have it twice a week.

But American Tap Room is the first to offer it 3 nights a week!

FAT TUESDAY

ON A

SLIM BUDGET:

MARDI GRAS

IN

BETHESDA

It would be ideal to be in New Orleans today, but you just don't have the vacation time or money to do so. Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row to the rescue!

If you are seeking Cajun cuisine in Bethesda, Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar at 4907 Cordell Avenue is the place to go. This is not a pretentious restaurant, but a place offering Cajun standards and Louisiana specialty beers. Now that Cacao Poulain has closed at Bethesda Row, Louisiana Kitchen is the only regular source of fresh beignets in town.

There are other choices in town for Mardi Gras dining:

Blackfinn Bethesda - Top on my list is their Shrimp and Grits entree, with Tasso ham (it doesn't get anymore authentic than that). Blackfinn also has a Bourbon Street Burger with Boursin cheese and peppercorn sauce (and a Hangover Burger if you need it on Wednesday!), and a real Fried Oyster Po'Boy.

Head to American Tap Room at Bethesda Row for lunch or dinner today: you can order the N'awlins Fish or Creole Sausage sandwiches at either time!

Rather stay in tonight?

Head to Giant and pick up boxes of Zatarain's New Orleans favorites, like Red Beans and Rice. That one gets five stars from me. Add a fresh or frozen catfish filet, and you have a full dinner.

Don't forget Zapp's potato chips! If you're lucky, they'll be in stock at Potbelly Sandwich Works on Elm Street, or one stop away on the Red Line at World Market in Friendship Heights.

Mardi Gras tip: before leaving Friendship Heights, stop by Lia's on Willard Ave, head into the bar, and order an Abita Turbodog, direct from Louisiana.

Top off your Mardi Gras evening with a fresh King Cake from the bakery at Giant, complete with beads and plastic baby hidden inside. A Mardi Gras tradition that goes back to the Old World.

Finally, what New Orleans Mardi Gras would be complete without a Hurricane from Pat O'Brien's?

The problem is, we're here, not in New Orleans. Not to worry, here is a Hurricane cocktail recipe I got from Phillips Seafood restaurants:

HURRICANE

1 oz. light rum

1 oz. dark rum

1/2 oz. grenadine

3 oz. orange juice

3 oz. pineapple juice

Shake and pour over ice.

Add pineapple slice and cherry as garnish.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

from

Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

SUPER BOWL

SUNDAY IN

BETHESDA

Supersize your Super Bowl Sunday with this guide to the super events other laundry lists aren't telling you about. With this guide, you'll have more moves than Joe Namath on Super Bowl Sunday.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET

"A farmers market on Super Bowl Sunday?! What are you, some kind of wise guy?" In fact, I am a guy, and I am wise to direct you to the Elm Street parking lot until 12:30 PM today for Super Bowl party shopping.

"What do you think, I'm gonna eat a salad during the Super Bowl?" Well, why don't you just examine the Super Bowl spread you can put out from BCFM tonight:

Steak

Ribs

Sausages

Salami

Angus Burgers

Farmstead cheese to melt on the burgers!

Sun-dried feta, lemon pepper and pecorino dip

Red pepper, walnut and tahini dip

Spinach and white bean dip

Betty's Chips and Salsa

Belgian waffles and chocolate for dessert

AMERICAN TAP ROOM

Head to American Tap Room at Bethesda Row where every seat is the best seat in the house with all of the flatscreen TVs throughout the restaurant and bar.

But wait! It's no ordinary game day at ATR. They have a special menu, which starts with $4 drafts of Brooklyn Brewery for Giants fans, and $4 Samuel Adams for Patriots fans.

1 dozen Beer-steamed spiced shrimp $12

Basket of Tabasco onion rings $5

3 ATR Burger Sliders with cheddar cheese, pickle, onion and Special Sauce $6

And my personal favorite:

2 all-beef Hot Dogs with housemade chili, cheddar cheese and onions $6

Don't forget, they also have the best Brownie Sundae in town!

THE PARVA

This is the first Super Bowl Sunday ever at The Parva!

$2 Domestic, $3 Imported beers

$4 Parva drinks and Appetizers

Free shooters throughout the game!

Buy one, get one FREE bottle specials!

The party starts at 1PM at The Parva.

RI-RA

Want a package deal? Head to Ri-Ra on Elm Street. For $20, you will receive 2 domestic beers, and all of the hot dogs, nachos and wings you can eat - all night long!

For the purist, there will be $4 pints of Guinness available.

WEAR IT WELL

Last, but not least, I haven't forgotten about the ladies out there who couldn't care less about football (there are still a few out there).

All day today at Wear it Well on Bethesda Ave. at Bethesda Row, you will receive a surprise discount at check-out!

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday, and make sure to follow me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow to find out all the inside information about what's going on in downtown Bethesda!

BETHESDA

RESTAURANT WEEK

MENU FEATURE:

AMERICAN TAP ROOM

Executive Chef Bobby Vickers has done it again! American Tap Room at Bethesda Row isn't just rehashing last week's DC Restaurant Week menu for this week's Bethesda Chevy Chase Restaurant Week 2012.

One of my personal favorites at Bethesda Row, American Tap Room has an outstanding beer list, a four beer sampler (and here they are world-famous names you'll be choosing from), a menu with variety and the best brownie sundae in town. (Watch my video review on the Robert Dyer Channel at http://www.RobertDyer.net).

Here's the dinner menu for Restaurant Week:

Starters:

Soup of the Day

Baby Spinach Salad

ATR Tossed Salad

Entrees:

Grilled Salmon Salad with Creamy Ginger Dressing

Steak Frites with Cabernet Wine Butter

Slow-roasted Lamb Shank with Celery Root Mashers and Natural Jus

Dessert:

New York Cheesecake with Berry Coulis

Granny Smith Apple Crisp with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Pick one from each category; grand total: $33

American Tap Room is at the corner of Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row - with the flaming torches out front, you can't miss it!