Crapification of Columbia Heights

Via Adrienne, we get this DCist post on the rise and fall of Wonderland.  I'd like to point out that I was out in front of this one, storming out of the bar after being asked by the owner to give up my table so that more of the College Parkers who had come down Georgia Avenue could have standing room.  I looked up from my table, wistfully reminded him that "you know, this place used to be a real bar," and bade farewell.

Best snark from the DCist post?  Lamenting the presence of "Orange Line clientele."

Amen to that.

Comments

[Lee]

I am very disturbed if, as that post seems to suggest, Yuengling has become hipsterfied a la PBR. Here in Philly Yuengling is simply what everyone drinks (except for the hard-core beer snobs).

[Justin]

I think it's more the fact that it's their "cheap" beer, so people who don't like PBR, or aren't painfully pretentious, opt for Yuengling.

Personally, I'm not too fond of either.

[Will Wilkinson]

Is College Park now on the Orange Line?!

[Justin]

My perception when I was last there (which was, I think, December or January) was that it was a bunch of kids who shot down Georgia Ave to hipster it up. DCist is alleging Orange Liners (which I think is less feasible due to logistics. But they may be right.).

Whoever is right, it's gotten pretty bad. I invite you to explore it for yourself.

[Brian]

I don't know about the particulars of the person being asked to give up the table for more standing room, but I'm guessing it was past 11 pm on a busy night - that is policy at the Wonderland downstairs - when the place fills up, the tables get moved out of the way so more people (ANY people - I guess it just was the case that there were College Park folk there that night) can fit and have a good time - don't take it personally.

And as for cheap beer, Wonderland actually isn't all about cheap beer, but about interesting ones (hence Yuengling is the most mundane one on tap) - the atmosphere makes you think dive (in a nice way), and when you think dive, you think cheap, but that isn't the bar's gimmick

[rob]

i'm really curious as to when the "yuppies destroyed my favorite bar" act will run dry?

if it wasn't for the "early bird hipsters," the "khakis" would never find their way to bars such as wonderland. it is what it is...and i'm starting to think the "hipper than thou" ideology is more annoying than the arrival of folks from the "orange-line" or wherever else you all deem "uncool"...

and yes, i live in columbia heights too.

[Len]

Rob:

You, sir, are an ignorant cack.
I just visited after living away from D.C. for a while, and it is, in fact, overrun by cretinous fucks who have now made it uninhabitable. You, I suspect, are one of them.

Your snarky-ass tone, your hair-trigger temper, and your witless claim to have some sort of rhetorical authority in the matter ("yes, i live in columbia heights, too") are all hallmarks of the sort of anger-prone, know-nothing, Urban-Outfitted jackasses who are making the public places I frequent increasingly loathsome.

As you are now sputtering and cursing, let me take this opportunity to clue you in: Not all bars that stake out territory in gentrified areas get this way.

You would not feel welcome in those places. At least, not the you that made that last post. Certainly not if you get that ridiculously stupid and belligerent after a beer or two.

Decrying the fact that someone's neighborhood bar has been invaded by jackasses is not hipsterism. It's genuinely lamentable.

And Columbia Heights, is, as the original poster suggested, being crapified.

I mean, c'mon, dude -- We're getting a fucking Applebee's. How crap is that? If your answer is not "very crap" then I might as well not even be speaking English right now. Because you typify everything that I think is wrong with this world.

And a free tip for you: Calm down before you post or step outside your apartment. Nobody is espousing a "hipper-than-thou" ideology. Guilty conscience, perhaps? Feeling targeted?

[Columbia Heights News]

I completely disagree that Columbia Heights is being crapified. Like many neighborhoods in DC, Columbia Heights was established in the early 1900's by middle-income Americans who wanted to be close to the jobs of our Nation's Capital. Throughout the 1900's, Columbia Heights was a thriving commercial district with a strong sense of community. The 1968 riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin L. King changed all that. Like many parts of D.C., Columbia Heights suffered a major decline. It wasn't until the Columbia Heights metro opened up in 1999 that things begin to look brighter. Now, Columbia Heights is on its way to becoming the vibrant commercial district that it used to be. I don't want the fact that Columbia Heights is modernizing to disrupt the wonderful and diverse community in Columbia Heights. But I don't it has to. We're going to see our share of Ruby Tuesday's and Quizno's which will be welcomed by many. But the community will also demand small business's with a more local appeal.

[Dan]

Hmm. I'm not sure why the person who posted this dislikes students from U of Maryland (College Parkers) so much. In fact, they rarely come into the city since it is such a hike to get here. I'm really perplexed by that.

Also, the orange line is more than a mile (at least) from the Wonderland. Its unlikely these people walked. More likely they got a cab. But if people are coming in cabs, how does the author know they live on the Orange line?

I usually try to be respectful of the bar tenders. They get enough crap from drunks all night, that I don't want to be an asshole too. I understand that they make most of their money in tips on the weekend, and they're usually young people like me who are making rent money. I oblige.

The Wonderland is great. If you're having trouble enjoying it on weekend nights, go to brunch there on the weekend. I went one a couple of weeks ago and it was kick ass. Sometime I want to go back and get the "Bottomless Mimosas" they serve. Its all you can drink Mimosas!

[diomedess]

H street is where its at...not metro accessible

[Sherry]

I just stumbled upon this blog and wow! I didn't realize how many unbelievably pretentious people live in Columbia Heights. You all need to get over yourselves!

[Josh]

I went there for the first time about 6 weeks ago and I live in Dunn Loring. A friend took me and granted I'm 39 now so every other person in the bar annoys me. Whether it's packed or whether there are 3 people. It was a saturday nite, absolutely packed but I guess fortunately everyone I met was more or less a muti-year regular and i had a great time. Due to where I live, it won't be a regular hangout for me but my one experience was absolutely enjoyable and I have recomended it to friends. None of em will go{due to travel logistics} so I guess the angry locals don't have to worry about further Orange Line invaders. Sad to read so many negative comments.