When Did They Ban Smoking in DC? A History of Washington’s Indoor Smoking Ban
Washington tables still held ashtrays until a 1997 Clinton order and a decade-long fight at the Wilson Building cleared the air.
Bars & Restaurants
Washington has always had a serious food and drink scene, even if most people don’t think of it that way. These posts explore the bars, restaurants, saloons, and breweries that fueled the city across the centuries.
The Brickskeller: Dupont’s Legendary Basement of Beers
Brickskeller was an iconic DC institution that many locals remember fondly. Learn about its slow demise and the beer renaissance that arrived in DC, as well as a look back at the 1957 advertisement for its opening.
Severine G. Leoffler: The Man Who Fed 1919 D.C. with His Iconic Liberty Lunches
Step back in time with this captivating 1919 photo of Leoffler’s Liberty Lunch stand in Washington, D.C., where just 20 cents could buy government workers a box lunch filled with surprises. Discover the story of Severine G. Leoffler’s entrepreneurial spirit in the early days of street food.
Remembering Piggly Wiggly: An Ode to a Seriously Southern Brand
Take a trip down memory lane and experience the nostalgia of Piggly Wiggly, the seriously southern brand that no longer exists in Washington. Check out this cool old advertisement from 1922.
Exploring the History of Chez Billy (3815 Georgia Ave. NW) in Petworth
3815 Georgia Avenue NW has been a restaurant since 1929. In the 1960s it was Billy Simpson’s, Washington’s Black political forum.
Exploring the Lost History of Warwick’s Saloon at 13th and Penn
Join us as we explore the lost history of Warwick’s Saloon, formerly located at 13th and Penn in Washington, DC. We’ll take a look at the bar, the billiard room, and the interesting story of a Secret Service raid.
Exploring the History of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC
Discover the fascinating history of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC – the chain that originated in New York City and spread southward. Learn about the unique building of the Massachusetts Ave. location and more.
The Heurich Brewery – A Historic Photo From 1910
Take a look at this historic photo of the Heurich Brewery, taken in 1910. The brewery stood on the current site of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC
Exploring a Photo of DC’s 1300 Block of E Street NW in 1917
Explore a 1917 photo of the 1300 block of E Street NW in Washington, DC. Learn about the stores, people, and signs in the photo and hear a recording of Claudia Muzio.