Long-time patrons mourn the closing of Grevey’s
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| The bar is having a farewell party with live bands Dec. 9. |
Like that bar on “Cheers,” Grevey’s is the kind of
neighborhood watering hole where everyone knows your name, said one long-time
patron Dec. 8, two days before the place is set to close for good.
neighborhood watering hole where everyone knows your name, said one long-time
patron Dec. 8, two days before the place is set to close for good.
Grevey’s, in the Yorktown Shopping Center on Gallows Road in Merrifield, was
founded 37 years ago by former Washington Bullet Kevin Grevey. He is closing the popular sports bar and restaurant, citing a failure to negotiate a reasonable lease and plans to open a new place when he finds
another location.
founded 37 years ago by former Washington Bullet Kevin Grevey. He is closing the popular sports bar and restaurant, citing a failure to negotiate a reasonable lease and plans to open a new place when he finds
another location.
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| Kevin Grevey (right) plans to reopen in a new location. |
The last day is Saturday, Dec. 10, and a farewell party tonight, 7 p.m.-2 a.m., is sure to attract
lots of loyal fans unhappy about the closing.
lots of loyal fans unhappy about the closing.
Among the many regulars who were there Thursday evening was Jay, of Annandale, who’s been coming to Grevey’s for some 18 years. “We love this place. It’s very sad,” she said.
Lee, a Reston resident and Oakland
Raiders fan, said he’s been coming every Thursday for some 35 years “unless I’m sick or
working.”
Raiders fan, said he’s been coming every Thursday for some 35 years “unless I’m sick or
working.”
For Lee and other Grevey’s patrons, the best thing about the
bar is its independent status, rather than being part of a chain.
bar is its independent status, rather than being part of a chain.
The closing is “heartbreaking,” said Holly, another
long-time customer. She hasn’t decided where to go next, although one thing is clear: “it’s not going to be a chain.”
long-time customer. She hasn’t decided where to go next, although one thing is clear: “it’s not going to be a chain.”
“When we go to a place like Glory Days, and my team loses
and I let loose with a little profanity, I’m told it’s a family establishment,” said Lee, in agreement about not liking chains. “I don’t come to a sports bar to be lectured about language.” And he
doesn’t think a bar is a place for children, noting he’s seen people in Glory
Days “breastfeeding their babies.”
and I let loose with a little profanity, I’m told it’s a family establishment,” said Lee, in agreement about not liking chains. “I don’t come to a sports bar to be lectured about language.” And he
doesn’t think a bar is a place for children, noting he’s seen people in Glory
Days “breastfeeding their babies.”
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| There’s always a game on, or several, at Grevey’s. |
Annandale resident Ramine, a Woodson High School graduate who roots for the Kansas City Chiefs, was back at Grevey’s for old time’s sake. The
former regular started coming to the bar 20 years ago, but now that he has four
kids, says, “my basement is my hangout now.” What he likes about Grevey’s is
the wide age ranges of the people who come there. The place attracts millennials, baby boomers, and everyone in between.
former regular started coming to the bar 20 years ago, but now that he has four
kids, says, “my basement is my hangout now.” What he likes about Grevey’s is
the wide age ranges of the people who come there. The place attracts millennials, baby boomers, and everyone in between.
His younger brother, Marcus, a Chicago Cubs fan, is thinking
about checking out Buffalo Wild Wings or Prime Time in Fairfax, but only until Kevin
Grevey opens a new bar.
about checking out Buffalo Wild Wings or Prime Time in Fairfax, but only until Kevin
Grevey opens a new bar.
Grevey’s has a “wonderful, local clientele,” says Dante, an Annandale resident who’s been coming since 1985. He knows people who “remember
their first date with their wives here.”
their first date with their wives here.”
“Grevey’s has a feeling like ‘Cheers.’ You can’t get that
with a national chain. Those places are impersonal,” he says. “I hope Kevin finds
another place in Annandale.”
4 responses to “Long-time patrons mourn the closing of Grevey’s”
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I used to go there a lot when they first opened. It's a great place. Hope Kevin finds a new location soon.
Please come to Annandale and make Mason District Great Again. No one else seems to be able to do it, except for maybe Honey Pig, Silverados and hopefully Glory Days. There is plenty of vacant spaces, check out Pinecrest shopping center with all its vacancies. Ill even wear a red hat to your opening.
I am very sad to see Grevey's close. Kevin Grevey and his staff have always been kind to myself and my father.
I truly hope that Kevin Grevey does find a new location and does reopen.
I hope Kevin reopens a new restaurant! I loved this place and frequently visited when traveling over the holidays to visit in-laws in the area… it was always a great place for UK fans to gather!