I didn't see it listed elsewhere, but the 11/15-11/21 edition of the WBJ has a page 5 article about the closing of The Rock due to inconsistent patronage around the MCI Center. Some of you are probably thinking conspiracy theory by now...
Sweet. I'll catch crap here for sure but I've hated that place since day one. Reasons too lengthy to get into here but it has nothing to do with Soccer Nation. Adios. Bill
You know, I think one problem with the Rock is that it's on the "back" side of MCI - rather than the side closest to Gallery Place and Metro Center. I'd assume that this cuts down on the walkup traffic. Seeing as I do all my Soccer Nation viewing at Lucky Bar and Cap Lounge, I guess I'll live. Still, it's a bit sad to see one of the few soccer-friendly bars in the area close.
Re: Re: WBJ article about the closing of The Rock Yeah, being on the "back side" of MCI, I think it probably got mostly the folks who knew where and what it was, rather than random walkup traffic. I kind of liked the place, but I have to say that of all the soccer-friendly bars in town, I thought the Rock was the least "friendly". Best Rock memory: watching MLS Cup 1999 with a slew of other DC fans. 2nd Best Rock memory: hanging out on the roof after U2 concert at MCI center last year.
Re: Re: Re: WBJ article about the closing of The Rock I have to agree that it was the least "friendly" of the soccer-friendly bars. They weren't consistent enough with it to get a regular following. Best Rock memory: the Meet the Coach event with Ray Hudson shortly after he came aboard. A great night of drinking with United friends. 2nd Best Rock memory: watching the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinal win over Alajuelense with other United fans. Carey Talley gaveth (14th minute goal), Carey Talley tooketh away (gave up a penalty in the 73rd minute), before a (briefly healthy) Ben Olsen scored the winner in injury time.
Re: Re: Re: Re: WBJ article about the closing of The Rock Dang, I totally forgot about that one. That has to be second best for me. Move the post-U2 concert to third.
Wow... I'd miss The Rock. Was anyone else there for the Confed Cup matches in 1999? I seem to remember the entire place -- and it's not small -- packed to the gills with soccer fans. And it was a great tournament for the US, so it was really rocking.
Top 3 for me: 1. Meet the coach event 2. Honduras v. USA (WC2002 Qualifier) 3. Friendly vs. Peru (was it Peru?) -- I think everyone who was there will remember the interesting half-time entertainment that was tragically cut short for commercials.
It was inevitable. After I quit working there nobody had a reason to go! Closing the bar while games were still on p*ssed some people off too. Rich
My best Rock memory is the party before the US-Scotland game. We had a sing-off in the billiard room and the tables were soaked with beer and had soccer hooligans standing on them singing their voices out! Second best memory was the awesome chorus of "Hudson's Army" that was loosed when Ray showed up. Third memory is of Chelsea Tim, and how much I miss him. GM
NO! The Rock was just up the block from my (now) wife's condo, so we'd often meet there Saturday mornigns to watch EPL. And we went there after many United Games. And for much college basketball. And before and after Caps games, and Hoya games.
That's my best memory, too. THat night was a blast. After that it would be watching the WNT winning the 1999 WWC. Too bad my only other significant memory is of Tim charging me more money for a PPV match than he had advertised.
Best memory: The France/ Brazil Final in '98 2nd Best: Any of several first day of the NCAA's game-a-thons. Worst memory:Guinness from a plastic cup(!) WTF!
Same owners as Lucky Bar, Capitol Lounge and ???? (I can't remember) also on Capitol Hill. They sold the place a while back because it wasn't profitable, so it was just a matter of time.
That CONCACAF tournament was great. Wasn't that also the one where Tom Presthus gaveth (a penalty kick) which was taken by former DC United player Arnold Cruz and Tom Presthus tooketh away (when he saved the pk)?
Summers might beclosing also If it's not enough to loose the Rock, the Washington Post also reported that Summers might close. I hope they find a new spot. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64863-2002Nov16.html "Now some bad news. Summers may have to close, at its present location at least. Its owner, Joe Javidara, is desperately seeking a new space by the first of the year, he said, because of demands put on him by a new landlord. Over coffee before the midday crowds began arriving Friday, Javidara said he had acquiesced that morning to the new landlord's every condition (higher rent, even a $250,000 remodeling). But he remained uncertain of the response and his chance of staying."
I watched the Confederations Cup at the Rock. It was pretty jam-packed. When did the Rock open? I think I watched the USA - Mexico WCQ from Foxboro in 1997 there.