Langdon’s oldest brewpub hasn’t been making beer for the past few months, content to serve beer from other DC breweries. Now, in addition to the pause to brewing operations, the bar itself is taking a break. “My hope, and my plan, is to return to operating – and brewing – in the not too distant future,” Public Option co-owner and co-founder Bill Perry told us.
In a statement released to social media, the bar wrote:
“As winter sets in, The Public Option is taking a pause to reflect on our journey over the past eight years. We’re exploring potential directions for the future, including the possibility of evolving into a community-based cooperative or a non-profit arts venture.
This decision-making process will take time, filled with reflection and valuable input from trusted friends like you. Although we can’t pinpoint the duration, we’re optimistic about the prospect of reopening in the future, welcoming you back to The Public Option.
The last eight years have been nothing short of a miracle, thanks to the relationships we’ve forged and the experiences we’ve shared. We’re immensely grateful for your support, and we look forward to staying connected during this pause. As our plans solidify, we’ll update our website and share on social media. If you’d like to stay in the loop, visit our website to join our newsletter (unsubscribe anytime). Your interest and support have made The Public Option’s journey truly remarkable, and we’re excited to see what the future holds. – Bill, Cathy, Aaron and the cats”
There’s precedent for the Northeast DC brewpub to re-open: in the spring of 2020 The Public Option closed due to the pandemic, reopening in June of 2021. The Perry’s own the building at 1601 Rhode Island Avenue NE, so rent is not a factor. The bar did, however, let their brewing license lapse; we suspect reapplying would go well for them with minimal opposition.
While this proverbial door has closed, or is perhaps slightly ajar, the window of DC brewing remains open. Right Proper will open up a third location at 1625 Eckington Place NE near the Met Branch Trail in late 2024. We’ll have more on that next week.
“I’d put our stout up against anyone’s (even Atlas), but there’s a lot of great DC beer to choose from,” says Perry. Here’s hoping we all get the chance to test that statement in 2024.
