Following the 1968 riots that were prompted by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the H Street corridor fell into neglect. Heading east from Union Station, you pass neon signs advertising liquor, payday loans and an assortment of carry-outs between the dilapidated storefronts, a reminder of times gone by when H Street was a commercial mecca. Suddenly, the beautiful Atlas Theater appears on the horizon in its art-deco splendor, surrounded by a plethora of clubs, restaurants and bars. People filter down the street toward the red marquee beckoning them to the Rock and Roll Hotel. Sprouting like blossoms from the surrounding urban decay, this nightlife-scene is bringing H Street back from the dead.
Music pumps through the entrance of the Rock and Roll Hotel as patrons file in. Up a narrow staircase is the bar, dimly lit, equipped with jukebox, pool tables, Victorian settees, beautiful wooden floors and a lively crowd. There is never an awkward silence among the patrons as they mingle, laugh and chatter. Upstairs is also home to a full kitchen with a dining area, "barcade" with pinball machines, a red room with tattoo-inspired wall art and a white room covered in framed photos and clippings of rock stars, one of Nixon and a giant Ramones emblem.
The dark wood and low lighting provide an intimate atmosphere. Combined with the ever-present music and interesting clientele, you are always sure to meet someone worth talking to.
Pushing aside the large entrance doors downstairs leads to another world within this space. Welcoming such themes as "Reform School: A Dance Night for Delinquents and Degenerates" and "Underwear Party with Garutachi," the dance parties feature an array of DJs and have become quite popular since the Rock and Roll's opening in 2006. Heavy crowds turn out from all over D.C. for the live music, ranging from hip-hop to folk and everything in-between. Be Your Own Pet, Yo Majesty, Mathew Dear's Big Hands, The Brunettes and The Black Angels are just a small selection of the upcoming acts.
A bar counter stretches along the left wall, the stage up front and the room empty, allowing for a generous crowd and driving acoustics. Patrons can eat, drink, play, mingle, listen, dance and socialize right here in this beautiful little venue/club/bar/restaurant/lounge - not to mention the downstairs is all-ages.
"This is just the Northeast, don't be afraid," says Raphael, the floor manager and head of security. "You want a venue to enjoy good music, so just come out."
Raphael rules the front door with a respect for the patrons rarely seen in the District. The staff is unusually customer-friendly here, from the beautiful, redheaded bartender Kelly, who is just as benevolent as she is tough, Kiki, the box office "concierge" with her sidekick Chainsaw, to the general manager and co-owner, Fritz Wood. He runs this circus from the inside, tending bar, caring for his customers and looking out for his staff. Wood helps tackle the predicament of Rock and Roll's dicey surroundings.
"We are bringing this area back to how it used to be," Wood said. "Everyone benefits from new businesses and more jobs."
The District's skyrocketing market is leading house-hunters down to H Street, where many young people have invested in shells they plan on remodeling. The owners of the Rock and Roll - Wood, Bryan Diely, Jason Martin, Kyle Kremmisong and Joe Englert - are ready for them.
Visit www.rockandrollhoteldc.com for more information and a full calendar of upcoming events. Call Clem for a shuttle ride from Union Station on Fridays and Saturdays at 301-751-1802.
