Here's a look at new Washington eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces to open for events this spring. The new and renovated Washington venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Mi Vida opened in the Wharf development in Southwest Washington in February. The two-level restaurant serves contemporary Mexican cuisine from chef Roberto Santibañez, with scenic waterfront views and two patios overlooking the water. The entire restaurant seats 350 to 400 guests and offers multiple spaces for private events. The entire second floor including balcony and bar seats 128 guests, then there's the semiprivate Potomac Room, which seats 32. The private Cactus Room seats 45, and the semiprivate Hacienda Room on the mezzanine seats 30, while the semiprivate Mariposa Room seats 40. Weather permitting, the Anthem patio seats 32, the bar patio seats 30, and a private balcony seats 30.
Years in the making, the Line hotel officially opened in January in Adams Morgan. Located in a former church, the 220-room property incorporates elements of its history into the design, as seen in the chandelier in the entryway made from the First Church of Christ, Scientist's organ pipes. The Line is home to three restaurants, two bars, and a coffee shop, tapping acclaimed local chefs and mixologists including Erik Bruner-Yang, Spike Gjerde, Todd Thrasher, and Corey Polyoka. The Line also offers 10,000 square feet of event space. The divisible, 4,020-square-foot Banneker Ballroom holds 500 for receptions or 320 for banquets. The divisible 2,500-square-foot Carina room holds 310 for receptions or 160 for banquets. There are several meeting rooms for board meetings or small receptions. There's outdoor space too, with the 5,590-square-foot Vela Rooftop Terrace that holds 220 for receptions and the 1,760-square-foot Vela Central Terrace, which accommodates 220 for receptions or 160 for banquets.
The team behind 14th Street's Compass Rose branched out in November, opening a new restaurant called Maydan in Manhattan Laundry centered around food cooked over an open flame. The rustic 3,200-square-foot, two-level restaurant serves fare with flavors from the Middle East and North Africa. For events, Maydan can seat 30 guests in its semiprivate half mezzanine space or 60 guests in its full mezzanine. The mezzanine is only semiprivate, and has a dedicated bar and access stairs. The entire restaurant is available for 75 seated guests or receptions of 100 guests, divided on two levels.
Hyatt Regency Bethesda announced the completion of its $37 million renovation in February. The suburban Maryland hotel’s 390 guest rooms, facade, lobby, and more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces underwent an extensive transformation, and it added a new rooftop event space. Architecture firm Gensler's new design scheme emphasizes wood accents and a neutral palette of warm grays throughout the hotel. The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, which offers views of the surrounding skyline from its floor-to-ceiling windows, spans 2,400 square feet and has space for 180 guests for a reception, 120 for an elegant sit-down dinner, or 90 for an all-day meeting. The renovated Regency Ballroom expands to 7,200 square feet and boasts 16-foot ceilings, with room for 550 guests. The hotel's nine newly designed meeting rooms and two executive boardrooms all feature upgraded technology, innovative lighting, and digital displays. The hotel's Plaza Lawn, renovated mezzanine level, and open-air concourse terrace are also available for events.
Co-working company Spaces took over three floors of the former Artisphere space in Rosslyn in November. The vibrantly colorful, 37,626-square-foot co-working space includes 303 desks and two meeting rooms. There's a large open area with a full kitchen, bar, and eight beer taps that can be reserved for meetings and parties. Spaces includes three terrace options: a large terrace with room for 342 guests, a small southwest terrace that can hold 85 guests, and a small south terrace that can hold about 45 guests.
Chef/owner Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso debuted Paradiso Game Room in January, located in the downstairs bar of Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown. Birreria Paradiso’s extensive beer selection moved upstairs, and the casual and playful basement space is stocked with nine arcade games including skeeball. There's a jukebox, an extensive canned beer menu, and the ability to order Pizzeria Paradiso’s classic Neapolitan pizzas from upstairs. Seating is available for about 20 to 30 guests including the bar area, or the space accommodates about 75 people for a reception.
Karma Modern Indian opened in December in Mount Vernon Triangle, serving classic Indian and South Asian cuisine with a creative twist. Chef Ajay Kumar's resume includes cooking for the White House State Dinner honoring former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is designed by Swatchroom with loom-inspired artwork as a focal point. It includes a private dining section with seating for 35 guests.
In February, Circa opened in the former Zengo space in Chinatown adjacent to the Gallery Place Metro. Covering 7,900 square feet, the two-level space offers a variety of seating options for large parties and private happy hour events. The first level offers a long granite bar and room for 125 standing guests. On the second level, there's the "Dragon Bar," where 40 standing guests can gather. The main dining room seats 60 to 100 guests depending on the floor plan. There's also a glass-enclosed private dining room with a television and seating for 36 guests. A semiprivate lounge and dining section is equipped with a television and has seating for 12.
Music and entertainment venue Union Stage opened in the Wharf in February. The 7,400-square-foot black box space is outfitted with a bar. Its seated capacity is 225 and the standing capacity is 450.
For a jaunt to Baltimore, consider the scenic Rye Street Tavern. The 315-seat restaurant from NoHo Hospitality Group’s James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini and partners Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard opened in September near the Patapsco River. The 13,000-square-foot bi-level American restaurant stays true to its Mid-Atlantic roots with food sourced from local farmers. Baltimore-based Patrick Sutton designed the space, using elements like rich leather, wood, concrete, and steel along with some Americana flair. Rye Street Tavern seats more than 200 guests, including indoor and outdoor bar seating for 80 and four private dining spaces that accommodate groups of 10 to 300. The space also features a stage for live entertainment.
