The Advisory Neighborhood Commission has reached agreements with two local Georgetown bars to gradually phase out promotional drink specials. The ANC could not reach an agreement with Champions to ban its admission of under-21 individuals into its establishment.
ANC Commissioner Bill Starrels, who chairs the liquor-license committee, said that he and ANC Commissioner Peter Pulsifer reached a voluntary agreement with the manager of Rhino Bar and Pumphouse to eliminate the bar’s “all-you-can-drink nights” and free admission to women on certain nights. The ANC and Rhino’s also agreed to phase out the inexpensive beer pitchers that are currently offered, Starrels said.
“With Rhinos we were able to strike a very strong agreement … we took this one on … and we came through very well with them,” Starrels said on Tuesday at the monthly ANC meeting.
Starrels said that the ANC had not been able to strike a similar deal with the attorney representing Champions. Starrels said that Champions would not agree to eliminate the admission of under-21 year old individuals on certain nights.
Starrels said that he and Pulsifer had stood in the alley outside of Champions on a Thursday evening to see the situation first-hand. He reported that he saw several underage women being admitted that evening.
“Champions has been doing a plain old lousy job keeping underage drinkers out of there,” Starrels said. “Basically, if you were a female and you knew how to flirt with the bouncer, you were getting in that night.”
On Feb. 13, representatives from Champions will present their case before the D.C. Alcohol and Beverage Commission.
“They will address why they should be able to continue to do business,” Starrels said.
Champions did not return calls to the Voice before press time.
The ANC is also encouraging all three establishments to equally advertise their food and alcohol offers. Pulsifer said that Third Edition has also agreed to regulate the noise in its outdoor tiki bar.
