Sunday, October 14, 2007

In the shadow of new condos and office buildings, nestled between North Arlington's two main thoroughfares, sits a beloved neighborhood hangout whose number is finally up. After losing a long battle with developers, Dr. Dremo's Taphouse will close -- most likely for good -- on Jan. 26.

Dremo's (2001 Clarendon Blvd., 703-528-4660) has offered sanctuary to Arlington's alternative set since 2000, when the bar and billiards hall opened. "When I found Dremo's, it was like a haven against the uptight," says Friday-night regular Juno Pitchford, 38, of Silver Spring. "I don't look forward to going to other establishments in the vicinity."

Bright hues of peeling paint and a landmark totem pole beckon patrons into this car-dealership-

turned-taproom. A step through its doors reveals a well-loved interior characterized by industrial accents, mismatched furniture and dimly lighted pool tables covered in red felt. Most impressive is the expanse of taps behind the long copper bar; with more than 40 beers on draft, Dremo's undoubtedly has one of the best selections in the area.

And no trip is complete without at least a peek at the patio that slopes beneath the main building. On temperate nights, locals can be found sprawled on plastic lawn furniture, nursing beers from one of the outdoor tiki bar taps.

The rising skyline of Wilson Boulevard has long fueled rumors of Dremo's demise. "We've been closing for about five years," says Andrew Stewart, the bar's marketing director. "It's been a year-by-year thing."

So is this really the end of the road for the popular spot? Management is hopeful but not optimistic that a suitable location and investors will surface to launch Dremo's at a new address. Its current home, however, is definitively doomed: It's slated to become condos. A public auction scheduled for Jan. 28 will gut the bar's interior before demolition.

Until then, the lengthy wake goes on. Regulars and newcomers alike continue to bid the taphouse a final farewell -- at least for the Court House neighborhood.

-- Tina Poole