Colony Club

OUR ARTICLE

Since opening in 2015, The Colony Club has been a staple in the rapidly developing Park View area. Its name paying homage to the city’s past, the two-story space doubles as a coffee shop and ping-pong club by day and a bar by night.

Often, neighborhoods lose their identity as they experience rapid growth, though there are many ways to honor what once was. Named after the long-shuttered Colony Flowers — owned by co-founder Max Zuckerman’s grandparents right along Georgia Avenue — the two businesses share a lineage that can be traced back to The Colony Theater’s hey-day.

The Theater was operated by Warner Brothers for a short stint during the 40s and 50s, before later becoming a “live theater for the African American community” and eventually closing in 1973. A testament to the theater’s iconic status, over time many other local businesses in the area adopted ‘Colony’ as part of their brand. It was important to The Colony Club ownership to preserve the tradition and remnant of the District’s history.

Upstairs, a large blue ping-pong table adds a playful touch — definitely bring your A-game.

Their nearly 5-year old establishment is old-school charm meets contemporary design and functionality. The classic tenor struck by the white brick facade and large black-framed window panes are appropriate for a hot spot entrenched in a neighborhood on the cusp of major transition. Inside, a chic study hall-esque front social space includes more exposed white brick, industrial ceilings, wooden desks, black Scandinavian-style chairs and matching wall-mounted desk lamps. It’s a blueprint that embraces both the “then” and “now.”

On the main floor, the focal point is also where most of the fun happens – an octagonal-shaped coffee/bar counter that integrates a pop of glossy royal blue brick the length of its base and different levels of seating. In fact, subtle and overt blue accents are a common thread throughout the interior. The back area features more cleverly imagined nooks, including a small lounge with blue couches and retro artwork and an expansive outdoor courtyard. You also can’t help but notice the variation of colorful landscape and abstract photography weaved throughout. The simplicity is really raucousness hiding in plain sight.

From morning to early evening, the menu offers “thoughtfully crafted espressos,” a brew bar, tea, pastries, and other usual-suspect breakfast fare. A paired-down and selective assortment of $7 16 ounce craft beers ciders, in addition to Spanish/French-inspired bar snacks like olives, almonds and canned fish also are regularly served up. A rotating $8 featured cocktail, $6 drafts and $9 natural wines are available during its 5 to 7 Happy Hour – Tuesday to Saturday. The focus also shifts in the evening to a calendar of comedy performances, live jazz, DJs, Improv, Karaoke. The Colony Club is nothing if not nimble and surprising.

Upstairs, a large blue ping-pong table adds a playful touch — definitely bring your A-game. The table is accentuated by quirky art, rich wood floors, benches, black leather chairs, and a revolving list of house rules. It feels oddly like your best friend’s attic, where mischief is inevitable and expected. This place is offbeat and cool to its core. The CYTIES team will save you a seat and a paddle.