By now you may have heard about Henceforth, the soon-to-be-open craft beer bar on H Street. Henceforth, (and yes, the comma is part of the name) will make its début mid-April in the former H Street Country Club space at 1335 H Street NE. The craft beer bar is the dream of owners Michael Spinello and Ben Mullett. They wanted to take the craft bar of yore (you know, like 10-15 years ago) and make it into a more elevated, comfortable place that would be gentler on the Gen X and Elder Millennial bodies and constitutions. Although, frankly, I can’t quite fathom why anyone would want to be uncomfortable in a very loud place, but I date myself.
Henceforth, then, is not just a beer bar but an inflection point: at a time where we are sadly lacking in third places and where neighbors and the media seem almost gleeful to declare the demise of H Street NE, Michael and Ben are joyfully celebrating their current point in time and their neighborhood: it’s a celebration and a declaration: henceforth, we make better choices!
First off, the basics: Henceforth, will have three bars: one smaller, ADA-compliant tank-to-tap bar right off the street, which will have some wonderful nostalgic details from the defunct H Street Country club, such as the old lockers and a putt-putt playing Lady of Guadalupe mural. This space will be bright and inviting and an overhead marquee will inform patrons of the rotating selection of beers. Beyond the bar, majestic steel tanks will bubble with yeasty goodness.
Expect beers that only your bestie who knows A LOT about beer may know, as Mullett is a graduate of the Siebel Institute (a premier brewing institute in Chicago) and honed his craft in breweries such as Skipping Rock in Staunton, Virginia. Spinello tells me, “Our starting lineup includes a cream ale, an ESB, a Belgian dubbel, a hazy IPA, a West coast IPA, a double hazy IPA, an Irish red, a Belgian wit, an amber lager, and I think a Baltic porter, a gose, and a dry stout. If those last three aren’t on our starting lineup, they’ll be added soon after. We’re also planning for an oatmeal stout, a robust porter, a pilsner, a Kolsch, and a Belgian Trippel at some point in the coming months.” Are you excited yet??
Upstairs, you will find two additional bars: Right off the stairs there will be a wine bar. Then, continue on through for the featured attraction: The main taproom will take over the rest of the second floor, draped in greens and granite, with beautiful windows that overlook Linden Court.
Finally, when the weather turns warm, get ready to enjoy the rooftop! Michael tells me the rooftop could be one of the best places in the city to catch the DC fireworks and we can’t wait.
As passionate as Mullett is about beer, Spinello is about the neighborhood. He is a long-time H Street neighbor who envisioned a serene, inviting space that could double as a community hub. But, how to foster community? For one, the bars will do away with television screens and the seating will be comfortable. The décor will convey an elevated, mid-century vibe, with vintage sofas and banquettes. Goodbye picnic tables, hello Eames chair-like panache!
One of the things I am most excited about is that Chef Walfer Hernandez, formerly of Barrel, The Eastern and Union Pub, will be helming the kitchen here. Fans of Chef Walfer’s offerings get ready: His creativity has been given free reign at Henceforth, and we overheard a conversation involving Maryland crab. Hernandez is a talented chef and we still actively miss his veggie sandwich at Union Pub.
Henceforth, is a craft bar and community space. Downstairs will be open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. The upstairs bars will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and stay open through midnight as well.
If you go:
What: Henceforth, a new craft beer bar in the 1300 block of H Street NE
When: Opening weekend is most likely to happen around April 19-20 but stay tuned for more details.
Why: Because you know you’re ready for comfort and interesting beer accompanied by exciting nibbles.