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Long-Running Bar and Local Music Venue Rock & Roll Hotel Closes on H Street

Lots of bands and local music fans passed through over 14 years

Alt-rock 90s band The Nixons performing at Rock & Roll in December.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

Rock & Roll Hotel, a grungy go-to spot for cheap mixed drinks and live music, announced today it has closed after a 14-year run on H Street NE. According to a closing statement shared on the bar’s website and social media accounts, the venue is immediately ceasing all operations, and previously booked shows and events are cancelled.

The black-painted, multi-level establishment at 1353 H Street NE contained a year-round roof deck and bar that popped $4 Tecate cans at happy hour. The venue’s closing statement cites rising competition and sluggish bar tabs as reasons behind its demise:

“Over the last 3 years Rock & Roll Hotel experienced rising operating costs, an increase in the number of music venues, and the decrease in ticket and bar sales. While Rock & Roll Hotel did all we could to adjust with the times, it was not enough to stay a float.”

D.C.’s concert scene has grown in the past few years, with arrivals like punk bar and music venue Pie Shop — next-door to Rock & Roll hotel — as well as Dupont Circle’s rebooted Public Bar Live, and, of course, the Anthem on the Wharf. The Pinch, a gritty venue for hardcore punk and metal bands in Columbia Heights, went dark last fall after an 8-year run.

In a tweet today, Nashville crooner Jason Isbell mourned the loss of the 400-person venue that’s played host to countless up-and-coming acts, DJs, and tribute bands since 2006.

In its final year of business, Rock & Roll Hotel hosted an extended residency from startup vegan-and-kosher venture Bubbie’s Plant Burgers & Fizz. The brand plans to debut a food truck and unveil the address of its first brick-and-mortar location soon.

Bubbie’s comes from the partners behind H Street fast-casual Pow Pow. Co-founder Shaun Sharkey used to have a monthly Saturday night DJ gig at Rock & Roll.

Big news!!! We will be launching the Bubbie’s food truck in the upcoming month. We are also very close to closing on our...

Posted by Bubbie's Plant Burgers & Fizz on Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The neighborhood lost another longtime landmark over the weekend with the closure of fried fish carryout Horace and Dickie’s. The far East end of the H Street strip will also say goodbye to cocktail bar Ella Grace this month.

Rock & Roll Hotel

1353 H Street Northeast, , DC 20002 (202) 388-7625 Visit Website