Demolition update: BlackFinn interior gutted in Bethesda (Photos)

You may still recognize the lower level of the former BlackFinn space, but you've never seen it like this. The building is currently being gutted, therefore allowing a future tenant to reconfigure the space to its needs. BlackFinn closed 11 months ago, and has been vacant since.

The street-level bar area; trash receptacle
where bar area used to be

Lower level

BETHESDA BAR ONCE HOME TO BLACKFINN BEING GUTTED

The vacant restaurant/bar building at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue, previously known as BlackFinn (and Willie & Reed's before that), is being gutted and renovated. Owner Greenhill Capital has hired local architecture firm Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc,, to remove all of the previous tenants' interior improvements, and the entire 2,246 SF second floor, reducing the building to core and shell components.

The demolition work will be done by Sigal Corporation, also the contractor for another Karr project currently underway on Cordell Avenue. Demolition is expected to be completed by March. This is part of a larger overhaul of Greenhill's multi-building Lot 667 along Fairmont, Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues that is also being designed by Karr.

BLACKFINN CLOSURE WREAKS HAVOC ON BETHESDA EVENT PLANNERS (PHOTOS)

The unexpected closure of BlackFinn has inconvenienced more than those seeking a Bud Light after work in downtown Bethesda. With its large space and convenient location, BlackFinn was a prime spot for events, fundraisers, and parties. When the doors locked for good, event planners found themselves scrambling.

It seems Brickside Food and Drink, a new bar 2 blocks down Norfolk at 4866 Cordell Avenue, has been the primary beneficiary. While an unaware few are approaching the locked doors of BlackFinn, many signs are being posted by event planners on those doors. And most of those events - planned prior to the sudden closure - have been shifted over to Brickside. At least one event, Cocktails and Connections (pictured above), was canceled.

While this has been a major inconvenience, fortunately there are other venues in town which have event space to accommodate future functions.

To Brickside we go!

GREENHILL LOCKS DOWN BLACKFINN AGAINST TRESPASSERS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Greenhill Realty, the owner of the building that housed BlackFinn up until this week, has locked down the building. Signs have been posted to discourage anyone who would attempt to enter the now-vacant nightclub. Such signage is somewhat unusual for Bethesda. I recall the ousted ownership of Plaza del Sol on St. Elmo Avenue complaining they were locked out of the building by the landlord. But usually, you don't see signs in the windows like this around downtown Bethesda.

Taken with the end of the month having just passed, it does suggest that the rent was not paid, and the owner(s) may have been locked out as a result. A person familiar with the ownership told me rising rent had exceeded revenue for the restaurant/bar. Everything is frozen in time inside, just as it was left at the close of business on BlackFinn's last evening of operation. Obviously, whatever decor, materials and equipment that belong to the owner(s) - well, you can expect they'd want that back.

The locksmith sign indicates a concern by the landlord that someone might even try to dupe a locksmith into opening the doors without authorization from Greenhill.

FREE WINE TASTING SATURDAY NIGHT, JULY 20, AT BLACKFINN BETHESDA

What to do this Saturday night in Bethesda? How about free wine?

BlackFinn Bethesda is hosting a free wine tasting with Cupcake Vineyards tomorrow night, July 20, from 7-9 PM.

Enjoy samples of their Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Riesling, Pinto Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.

Pair these with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, and giveaways like a $50 gift card from Lipstick Lounge Boutique.

Then stick around after 9:00, as the Saturday night party at BlackFinn will be just getting started.

BlackFinn Bethesda, 4901-A Fairmont Avenue.

DJ WHO SPUN AT BETHESDA NIGHTCLUB ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY RAPING UNCONSCIOUS WOMEN, FILMING THE ASSAULTS (PHOTO)

A DJ arrested in Las Vegas for allegedly raping several Virginia women, and filming the assaults, worked behind the turntables at BlackFinn in Bethesda as recently as February of this year.

Joseph M. Rivera - better known as DJ Joey Flash - is wanted by Fairfax County Police, who plan to charge him with rape, aggravated sexual battery, and two counts of unlawful filming. He is being extradited from Nevada to Fairfax County.

According to Fairfax police, Rivera allegedly took advantage of women who appear unconscious on videos the DJ saved on electronic media. How exactly these events transpired, is not yet detailed by police.

But the total number of alleged victims also remains unknown, and several women seen on the videos have not yet been identified by police.

For that reason, Fairfax police say they are working with other police departments in the DC area to determine how many victims there are, and their identities.

According to my research, Rivera was a weekly regular at BlackFinn Bethesda between October 2012 and February 2013. As "Joey Flash," Rivera performed at BlackFinn on January 5, 12, 19, and 26; and on February 2, 9, 16, and 23 this year alone.

Rivera spun at several DC-area clubs, and also worked at bartending competitions.

It is currently unknown if any of Rivera's alleged unidentified victims are from Bethesda.

If you have any information about Rivera pertinent to this case, Fairfax police are asking you to please call 703-246-7830. If you, or someone you know, have reason to believe you were victimized by this suspect, you should also call that number, or contact Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000, if the incident occurred in Montgomery County.

THE SAMUEL ADAMS GRILL YOU CAN WIN AT BLACKFINN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

The other day, I told you about Burger Month at BlackFinn Bethesda, and the custom grill you could win in the Burger Month contest.

Now, here is the actual grill you can win, a custom Samuel Adams grill. If you are a fan of the brewery, you'll definitely want to enter this very easy contest.

BLACKFINN BETHESDA BURGER MONTH

Burger Month is back at BlackFinn Bethesda at 4901 Fairmont Avenue.

Burger Month starts with a special Happy Hour this Friday, from 5:00-7:00 PM. It will run through July 28, 2013.

There will be 4 featured burgers: Elvis Burger, Sam's Bacon Jam Burger, Natch-Yo Burger, and Pepperoni Pizza Burger.

Take a picture of yourself eating one of these burgers on any or all days during Burger Month, and then tweet the photo or post it on Instagram, using the hashtag #BFburgermonth.

You could win a $500 grill, or $100/$50 BlackFinn gift cards. As I mentioned, you can do this daily during the contest period.

Click on the burgers below to enlarge photos and ingredients:

BLACKFINN BETHESDA BEER-OF-THE-MONTH

Starr Hill IPA is the beer of the month at BlackFinn in Bethesda.

It earns an average score of 82 (good) on Beer Advocate, and comes from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Enjoy it for only $4 this month at BlackFinn.

PEPCO PROBLEMS SHUT DOWN FAIRMONT AVENUE

A utility pole malfunction wreaked minor havoc on Fairmont Avenue last night.

Spectators gather after police shut down Fairmont Avenue

Yellow police tape blocks Fairmont, as authorities await arrival of
Pepco crew to fix transformer on pole at upper-left corner of photo

The first floor of popular bar BlackFinn was dark after a partial power outage occurred.  Bethesda Urban Partnership and Montgomery County Police officers arrived quickly to block off the area around two utility poles.  A Bethesda UP SUV was parked as a temporary roadblock, while officers rushed to rope off the street in front of Bold Bite, and the vacant Fresh Grill, with police tape.

Officers told approaching drivers and pedestrians they could not go down Fairmont.  Crowds began to gather, and BlackFinn employees assessed the situation from in front of their main entrance.

Speculation was cleared up when a Pepco truck arrived.  Police helped the truck enter the taped-off area, and a Pepco lineman rose into the air to a pole on the north side of Fairmont Avenue.

Apparently, that wasn't the problem.  Then he moved to the pole on the opposite side of the street.

Finally, the problem was diagnosed so repairs could be made.

Unfortunately, that required turning off power to the Foong Lin restaurant.

The Pepco employee explained to a Foong Lin staff member that he would need to turn off their power for about 10 minutes.  Now, that's actually reasonable in most circumstances, but as you can imagine, it's a nightmare for a restaurant.  Diners are dining in an AC-cooled dining room.  Meals are in the middle of being cooked.  Potential customers will go elsewhere if they walk up to a dark restaurant.

"Are you ready?" asked the Pepco worker.

"I'm ready, and I'm not ready," replied the Foong Lin gentleman, who then turned back into the restaurant and called out instructions to employees.  With the restaurant having taken exterior damage from the storm of two weeks ago, this was probably the last problem they wanted to deal with.  A tarp covers the portion of the sign that was torn off by an 80 MPH wind shear; the sign now reads, "Lin Restaurant."

With some irony, Foong Lin has been offering a special cocktail since reopening:  the Dark and Stormy.  I suggest you stop by and try one.

Pepco went into action, and soon power was restored.

Have you heard of Christmas in July?  This was Black Friday in July.  Friday the 13th.  Hmm...

LOVE BALL KICK-OFF PARTY TONIGHT AT BLACKFINN BETHESDA

BlackFinn is the place for dog lovers to party after work tonight (although dogs are not invited to this indoor event - sorry!) in Bethesda.

A $5 donation to benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society will selfishly benefit you as well, with Happy Hour discounted food and drink specials.

There will be a silent auction, and you can also buy tickets to the Big Event itself, The Love Ball.

If you can't attend tonight, you can still save 10% on Love Ball tickets by ordering them right now online.

Have questions?  Contact Juliana Willems at 240-401-8144 or jwillems@mchumane.org.

BlackFinn Bethesda, 4901-A Fairmont Avenue. 6-9 PM tonight.

BETHESDA FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

This isn't exactly what it sounds like, so don't start running the other direction, thinking you'll need a masters in Fine Art to enjoy this festival.

Instead, "Old Town" Bethesda becomes a market of sorts along Norfolk, Auburn and Cordell Avenues.

That means you'll be able to meet artists, and buy their creations, such as paintings, photos, furniture and jewelry.  Some of these folks have traveled from across the country to be here.

In addition to engaging in cultural pursuits, there will be fabulous food from BlackFinn, Haagen-Dazs, Hard Times Cafe, Mamma Lucia and Yamas Grill (if Yamas has gyros or lamb burgers, grab one!).

There will also be live music.

The hours are 10-6 today, and 10-5 Sunday.

Broaden your mind, and shrink your wallet, at this annual fine art experience in downtown Bethesda.

WIN A GRILL AND A PLACE IN BURGER HISTORY IN BLACKFINN'S BURGER MONTH CONTEST!

Burger fans know it's National Burger Month.  Are you hardcore enough to invent your own burger?

BlackFinn Bethesda has launched a Burger Month Recipe Contest, to find the best new burger concept in the DC area.

The Grand Prize?

The burger maker's best friend - a grill!

But wait, there's more!

Your winning burger recipe will be added to the BlackFinn Burger Month menu!

Why, this could start your career as a burger baron.  You might have your own gourmet burger joint in DC.  You would serve burgers to the president, first lady and vice-president.  You'd tease and fake-out Bethesda burger lovers, by pretending you might or might not open a Bethesda Row location.

And you'll remember it all started with the BlackFinn contest you entered after finding out about it here.

Are you ready to share your Ultimate Burger Recipe with the world?

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTRY FORM!

Contest ends May 28.

BLACKFINN BETHESDA CINCO DE MAYO SPECIALS

Here are the specials for Saturday at BlackFinn.

CLICK HERE for my complete guide to the best Cinco de Mayo celebrations in downtown Bethesda!

FRESHFARM BETHESDA MARKET DEBUTS SATURDAY, MAY 5!

Downtown Bethesda, are you ready for twice the locavore bounty this weekend?

Saturday will be the 2012 debut of the popular FRESHFARM Bethesda Market, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Norfolk Avenue by Veterans Park.

If you're a farmers market veteran, you've already been loading up on healthy, local produce and prepared foods at the also-popular Bethesda Central Farm Market.  That market is Sundays from 9-1 at Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road.

Can you shop both markets every week?  YES!  One of the biggest reasons, is that they each have their own roster of farmers and vendors.  So you are just doubling down on good health, and preserving local farmland from nasty development, every weekend!

Who'll be at the FRESHFARM MARKET Saturday?

Atwaters - Catonsville - creating fabulous baked goods from local, farm-fresh ingredients

Black Oak Cut Flowers - Reisterstown/Edgewater - family-grown fresh flowers

Firefly Farms - Accident, MD - Natural, artisan cheese produced with milk from four family-run goat farms within 30 miles of their creamery; winner of 43 national and international awards

Garden Path Farm - Newburg, PA - The Kauffman family produces the finest meats from grass-fed animals in the valleys of Southern Pennsylvania

Knouse Fruitlands - Arendstville, PA - 3 generations of fruit growers!  30 apple varieties, 20 peaches, 15 nectarines, 5 apricots, sweet cherries, plums, and pluots.  Sweet corn later this summer!!

Pleitez Produce - Montross, VA - I know where this is!  It's in Westmoreland County, not far from Colonial Beach.  Family-owned, family-operated

Spiral Path Farm - Loysville, PA - Family farm since 1978.  Food Safety Certified (always great to know).  Certified organic.  CSA program with weekly pick-up available at FRESHFARM Bethesda Market!

Spring Gap Mountain Creamery - Paw Paw, WV - Are you "crackers about cheese?"  SGMC makes West Virginia Blue, Jersey Gold (Gouda), Shenandoah Sunrise (tomme) and Sophie's Select (Cheddar) from milk produced by pasture-raised Jersey cows in wild, wonderful West Virginia!

Three Little Pigs - Washington, D.C. - That's not a misprint!  Local butcher producing high-quality charcuterie and salumi without chemicals and artificial preservatives.  They source animals - and even salt! - locally

Wild Rose Soap Company - Gaithersburg - Luxury body products from locally-sourced materials.  Soaps, lotions, even their beeswax comes from local bees!  Cupcake Bath Bombs, shaving soap for men and women, and even a handmade, olive oil baby soap

Enjoy the market!  And then enjoy brunch steps away at Black's Bar and Kitchen, BlackFinn, The Parva, and so many other restaurants!

Convenient parking in the garage on Woodmont Avenue right next to Black's.

Happy farm market weekend!

BOTTLE SERVICE CATCHING ON AT BETHESDA NIGHTSPOTS

BLACKFINN WILL BE THIRD BETHESDA

BAR TO OFFER TABLE SERVICE WITH

MAY 10 LAUNCH OF "THIRSTY THURSDAYS"

 Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

A promising new trend is developing in downtown Bethesda's nightspots:  bottle service/table service.

Once a practice limited to places like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, table service made its way to Washington, DC eventually.  But it was completely unheard of in Montgomery County.

Relic on Fairmont Avenue was the first to introduce it.  In the last year, The Parva has added it.

Next week, on May 10th, BlackFinn Bethesda will join them with the launch of "Thirsty Thursday."

In general, bottle or table service in Vegas, et al, can require an upfront fee, and mandatory purchases of x-number of bottles, based on the size of your party.

BlackFinn isn't going to make you do that.  But it will be an exclusive, VIP experience, and you will not only get special deals, but also have the chance to win gift cards.

What makes it exclusive, is that the first 5 hosts - with at least 5 guests - (that's you, within the group you are going to BlackFinn with) who are present, and check-in at the sign-in table, get on the First Come-First Served Reservation List for table service.

What makes it VIP, is that if you are one of those 5 hosts Thursday nights at 9 PM, you and your guests will receive not only a reserved booth for the night, and a cocktail server waiting on that booth all night, but you are also going to get a FREE bottle of champagne to get the evening started.

You'll be able to take advantage of special deals, like $3 U-call-its and a FREE appetizer buffet from 9-11 PM.  Then, at 11, all drinks will be $4 until midnight (if your party has signed in by 11:00).  In addition, Bud Light bottles will be $2 from 9:00 to close.

Now, about those prizes.  For every 10 guests you bring, you'll get a $10 gift card.   But the host who brings the most guests will win a $100 gift card.

Please note that your guests will need to tell the hostess your first and last name to enter the VIP area, which is now the downstairs bar.  Making the downstairs more private is the result of customer feedback, said Maddy Pinckert, BlackFinn's Promotions Manager.  She noted it will make a buffet arrangement more accessible to VIP guests.

To sign up for table service, email mpinckert@BlackFinnBethesda.com.  

This is a bit more modest of a table or bottle service program than you would find in Vegas or even some spots in DC.  But, as I noted, BlackFinn's table service won't drain your bank account like those other clubs' pricing would.

This is a good start, and the growing popularity of such offerings is a positive for downtown Bethesda.

Bethesda had a very promising initial transformation.  And we have quite a few great nightspots like BlackFinn.  But we are at a crossroads here.

We need to not only recapture the momentum, but take this opportunity to definitively move ahead of other cities in the DC area.

Why can't Bethesda be the first city in Montgomery County to have a 50-story building?  And then 75 and 100 after that.  Who decided we would suddenly take a back seat to White Flint (please!) in building heights?  I refuse to accept second best as a lifelong Bethesda resident, and so should you!

The same goes for the Bethesda nightlife scene.  Adding table service and other VIP touches is a step in exactly the right direction.

Bethesda has the level of income to support at least one or more new, very swanky nightspots.  I'm not aware of any plans, within residential buildings currently under construction, to add new nightclubs.

But with at least two upscale hotels nearing groundbreaking in downtown Bethesda (including a Westin on Wisconsin Avenue), why can't we have a venue like Pure or TAO in Vegas?  Or something equivalent?  Are we trying to be the premiere urban area for young people, or not?  Sure, some people find bottle service, or rope line waits outside, pretentious.  That's not a reason to aim low.  I don't know if you've been to a place in DC that doesn't just aspire to Vegas, L.A. or South Beach, but matches it?  I haven't.  I'm not criticizing DC, because they are currently ahead of us.  But what if Bethesda were to aim higher?

That's why I advocate for just such a spot here in Bethesda.  Does it really cost that much, in the grand scheme of things, to hire a C-list, reality show celebrity to come in and host once a week?  How about some more rooftop pool venues, Vegas style (TAO Beach, etc.)?  Or are we content to play second banana to DC pool parties?  I'm not.

So I for one applaud the new trend of table service, and if you've got a group that isn't planning to bar-hop all night, it's well worth giving Thirsty Thursday a try at BlackFinn.  These sort of experiments will position BlackFinn well for the future of Bethesda nightlife.

BlackFinn Bethesda, 4901 Fairmont Avenue.

THERE CAN BE ONLY 50 LUCKY LADIES TONIGHT IN BETHESDA!

THERE CAN BE ONLY 

50 LUCKY LADIES 

IN 

BETHESDA TONIGHT! 

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!! 

...And thanks to me you can be one of them!

While other young women are wandering around Bethesda tonight, you, dear reader, will know the score!

While they're paying $7 for the same Chocolate Lava Cake down one street or another, you'll be enjoying a FREE Fraiche Cupcakery gourmet cupcake at BlackFinn on Fairmont Avenue!

And while they're fishing around in their purse to pay for a $6 or $9 drink, you'll be drinking a 1-cent premium cocktail at BlackFinn!

All you must do is be one of the first 50 women at BlackFinn's Cupcakes and Cocktails event tonight at 9:00 PM.

While you're waiting, make sure your friends are following me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow and bookmarking this blog.  Then they'll be ready for the free stuff I'll be telling readers about next week.

BlackFinn Bethesda, 4901 Fairmont Avenue. 301-951-5681.

50 WOMEN ARE

GETTING FREE CUPCAKES

TONIGHT IN

BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

OK, ladies, you know the drill: Be one of the first 50 women at BlackFinn Bethesda's Cupcakes and Cocktails Party tonight at 9:00 PM, and you'll get a FREE cupcake, and a 1 cent cocktail.

Tonight's cupcakes are from Fraiche Cupcakery in Bethesda.

Good luck!

BETHESDA'S

BIG PLANET COMICS

IS MOVING

What may soon be the last bastion of comic books in Montgomery County is moving. Fortunately, true believers, Big Planet Comics will be moving just a couple of blocks from its current location at 4908 Fairmont Avenue.

On April 18, Big Planet will reopen in a brand new spot at 4849 Cordell Avenue. So they're staying right here in Bethesda.

That block of Fairmont Avenue is undergoing perhaps the biggest upheaval of any street in "Old Town" Bethesda. Except for Relic and Bold Bite, and a few who may stagger around from BlackFinn, it is dark and dead at night. A number of storefronts are vacant, and one building is even condemned - "Do not go in there," as Ace Ventura once said!

JBG is building a new residential building at the corner of Fairmont and Norfolk, and there are some complaints that the ground floor will not have active businesses at night on Fairmont. That is indeed something to fix about that project, as the whole point is to activate a dead block there at night.

Expect more tear downs on that block of Fairmont in the next 1-3 years. But the street is a great location with lots of promise.

FREE CUPCAKES

TONIGHT FOR

50 WOMEN IN

BETHESDA

1 Cent Cocktail is a Bonus for Punctual

Ladies at BlackFinn Bethesda

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Has a week gone by that fast? Time flies when you're getting all the free stuff in Bethesda from Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row!

Here's one just for the ladies: the second Saturday night Cupcakes and Cocktails party at BlackFinn Bethesda.

Be one of the first 50 women at 9:00 tonight, and you'll get a FREE gourmet cupcake, and enjoy a Pinnacle cocktail for only one cent.

What if you are #51 or 52?

You can still enjoy a $4 Pinnacle Cake cocktail. Or a $3 Bud Light. Hey, one out of two ain't bad.

Are you following me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow? You would have gotten a FREE pint of beer last night if you had been! And free wine and cheese this afternoon. Pass the word to your friends that @BethesdaRow is a must-follow on Twitter to get the most fun out of downtown Bethesda!