Thirsty Thursday
DC's Finest Drinking Establishment.
It’s all about the music at the Tune Inn, Washington D.C.’s best bar.
Located a couple of blocks from the Capitol building, it’s not that politics isn’t discussed among the Congressional staff, the Members of Congress, the drunks, the lobbyists (or do I repeat myself), the veterans, the media and the folks who have nothing to do with the company in the company town. It’s just not what the Tune Inn is about.
And in all fairness, it’s not really about the music. It has a great juke box, but no bands play there. It’s not a concert venue place. It’s not known for its music paraphernalia.
The Tune Inn is about the music of life. People drift in for a few drinks or a few dozen, sometimes early for the breakfast, sometimes for a late-night burger, sometimes for the night cap and sometimes for a starter. The lunches are good if you like Dive Bar grub. The breakfasts are even better and they are served all day. I don’t really want to know how they cook the food back there in the ancient kitchen, but it comes out in a timely fashion.
I have been going to the Tune Inn for thirty years. I am not the regular I would like to be because I have family commitments and sadly, I have to work. So, many readers of this space will have far more stories about the Tune, about how they met their spouse there, about how they like coming in with the kids for breakfast, about the drunken nights when they saw somebody famous, or when they held their wedding reception there.
Opened in 1947, right after the end of the Second World War, the Tune Inn has seen its fair share of crazy shit. The riots of the 1960’s, the crack wars of the 1990’s, gentrification of the 2000’s, the disaster of the Coronavirus. It had a fire a couple of years ago, but unlike it’s neighbor, the Hawk and Dove, which rebuilt after a fire to become something bigger, better and utterly different, when the Tune rebuilt, it really didn’t change much at all. While the Hawk got worse by getting better, the Tune got better by staying the same. Through it all, the Tune has survived.
There are many good bartenders that have worked at the Tune Inn, but my favorite is Matt Manley. Matt’s son Joe went to St. Peter’s grade school and then to Gonzaga High School where he played baseball, so we have that connection. Matt is the kind of guy who knows what he is doing, but at the same time, keep a conversation going while serving drinks to the whole establishment.
I once won an auction item at St. Peter’s School that allowed me to guest bartend at the Tune. I still have the T-shirt. It’s not easy to keep a conversation going and keep your focus on the customers.
The Tune Inn is by far the best bar in Washington DC. No other bar really comes close. It is a place where Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, Libertarians and people who don’t give a shit about politics come to have a drink, watch the game, talk to Matt, listen to some tunes, eat some mozzarella sticks, have a deep discussion with a well-oiled local, and enjoy the music of life.
Here is what the Tune Inn says about it’s own history: Over the last century the building that houses the Tune Inn has seen a variety of establishments. From a candy kitchen, to a speak easy in the 20s and then a men’s tailor that would cater to the gentlemen of the US Congress. In 1947, Joe Nardelli, acquired the building and named it The Tune Inn. To date we hold the second oldest liquor license in DC after the repeal of prohibition. After Joes passing his son, Tony Nardelli took over the business and currently Lisa Nardelli, Joes granddaughter and Tonys daughter is the owner & operator. Family owned and operated for over 70 years!
If you are in the neighborhood, stop by the Tune Inn and grab a Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can. They are always cold and they come in the tall can so don’t really need more than 3 (or 4).