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Old Arlington Grill
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
4 reviews for Old Arlington Grill
The Old Arlington Grill feels like it was designed as an afterthought once the Cinema N Drafthouse next to it was open. Located to the left of the movie theater lobby, the Grill is appropriated with nice granite tables comfortable chairs and windows looking out onto busy Columbia Pike.
My friend and I had wanted to check out the Saturday night open mic stand-up comedy show, and in these recessionary times the cover charge was the right price: FREE. The Grill does have a full menu of local bar food standards - burgers, fries, etc. - but we only got drinks.
The weekly Saturday event starts at 10:30pm, and for a free show most of the comics weren't bad. However while there were a few good zingers and knee slappers in this mix, there were also some real bombs and groaners among the jokes. Sitting there and watching the comics do their sets, I kept thinking back to that 1988 movie "Punchline" about struggling comics trying to break into the business. As a side note, "Punchline" was probably the template for the NBC series "Last Comic Standing" and is a good DVD rental which features very underrated performances by Tom Hanks and Sally Field.
Here are a few other observations if you plan on attending one of these open mic nights:
1). Plastic beer mugs? When I went to pick up my mug after pouring myself a beer, I almost flung the entire contents onto my friend since I wasn't expecting the mug to be so light. The plastic really detracts from the taste of the beer, but I guess I understand management's desire to save money and reduce breakage. There is a fairly decent selection of draft beers, and we split a pitcher of the Sam's Seasonal which was about $20 (including tip). I'm sorry, but this alone warrants a minus 1-star for my review.
2). Audience participation. The performance space is small and if you are seated anywhere near the performer, expect to be part of the show. Also, if you get up during one of the sets to use the restroom, expect the comic to berate, insult, or otherwise make you feel guilty for interrupting their performance.
3). Language. For those who offend easily, be forewarned that the topics discussed and language used is strictly for an adult audience. Everything from politics to internet porn was used to generate yucks so just realize the humor is not rated "PG".
I'll definitely be back since it was all in all a good time and a way to support local live performance venues.
The Old Arlington Grill is a place that I think will improve over time. For the time being, it is just OK. A good place to grab some drinks before or after a movie at the Drafthouse. They have made the effort to have things like stand up comedy, they had a film society having screenings there for a while, etc. I think that with it being one of the few straight up bars on Columbia Pike (LA Bar and Grill being the other one), they could do so much more. Maybe a trivia night. Maybe expand the hours to lunch. For now, it's a good pre-movie place, and that is good enough for some people.
The folks who own the Cinema Draft house have opened a bar/restaurant next door. In the past, this space hasn't had much luck (restaurants haven't lasted very long in the space- ie- "Family My Pupiseria"). However, I do think this place will be able to break the trend.
The interior has a nice urban chic feel, IF you can call it that with a straight face given its Columbia Pike location. We enjoyed the food: the soup of the day- a chicken gumbo- was outstanding. Other typical good bar food choices: wings, burgers. They do offer more higher end selections: some seafood entrees, salads, etc ...but we didn't get to try any of those.
Good selection of beer and wine. The bartender was not overly friendly, but the owners stopped by and said hello to our table.
Overall, a nice additiona to the Pike.
This place has potential exploding out the eye-balls. So much attention has been paid to important details- nice tables, great beers on tap, use of the term "old arlington", and maybe the best - old movies on flat screen tvs all over the bar. Different old movies on a variety of screens. Very cool idea, which- coupled with the din-o-mite beers on tap makes me an automatic fan. But then comes the resistance - plastic beer "mugs" - ouch! Never a fan of the "mugs" but to make them plastic...dang...very hard to taste the good beers over the plastic....please please please go to glass...so we can taste the beer and watch the movies.
