Beer Bar Black Squirrel Readies Local Food, Two Dozen Drafts for Virginia

D.C. craft beer bar the Black Squirrel plans to get underway at its latest location in Northern Virginia with a new chef, locally sourced food, and over two dozen specialty brews on tap.

The 3,400-square-foot spot, which is scheduled to debut this week or next at 2670 Avenir Place over by the Dunn-Loring Metro station, is expected to feature more than 100 seats and 26 draft lines.

Boss Shepherd’s alum Thomas Crenshaw is in charge of the kitchen; his plan is to build most of the menu using ingredients gathered from the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia panhandle. Favorites from the flagship Adams Morgan location, like mac and cheese, and duck confit spring rolls, will transfer to the upcoming shop. Also on tap: watermelon gazpacho, local meat and cheese boards, and ice cream made with local strawberries.

“There will be a lot of the same stuff people know us for,” owner Amy Bowman told Eater.

This year marks the original restaurant’s 10-year anniversary in D.C. The self-described “old-school neighborhood gastropub,” features a huge beer hall with a party room, familiar bar fare, and a lengthy draft beer list.