Bronson to open late summer 2019
MacNac Hospitality, a group led by Mike Cordero, its president, announced the revamping and remodeling of A-Town Bar & Grill. The nightlife destination in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Va. will become Bronson, an German-style beer hall that will span 6,000 square feet. MacNac’s Bronson will offer American and German fare, craft beer served in growlers, games and live music.
The move to upscale the storied A-Town Bar & Grill will create a bigger space with more modern flair and expand seating capacity to 250, with 44 stool-seats at the bar. MacNac’s beer hall is set to open around mid- to late-August.
In Washington, D.C., Church Hall opened up in Georgetown and the Continental Beer Garden opened in 2017 in Rosslyn, not far from where SRG, a rival restaurant group, is building a food hall, known as Common Ground. Church Hall is anchoring the Shops at Georgetown, which are undergoing a total redevelopment. Owner Jamestown pitched restaurant space to Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington members there back in May 2018, as the entire corridor adds a bevy of restaurants to a neighborhood that was once not so welcoming to dining venues.
Bronson in Ballston a warm, welcoming space
Yvette Irene, a designer, will warm up the space, using soft lighting, comfortable seating and large communal tables. Scott Parker and Nick Cordero are co-owners of the restaurant and partners of MacNac. Beer halls have not been overwhelmingly successful in Arlington, but MacNac appears poised for the challenge.
Brickhaus on Columbia Pike closed this month, and Sehkraft Brewing closed in January of 2017 in the Clarendon area of Arlington.
A-Town Bar & Grill has had its moments with local officials and neighbors. Bronson should create a more welcoming destination in the high-income-leaning neighborhood of Ballston.
Bronson could increase diversity of clientele, check average
The move to upscale the restaurant concept, and bring in the Bronson beer hall, should open up the space to a more diverse group of diners and imbibers, increasing the average age of the demographic, along with the check average.
For Bronson, MacNac Hospitality has renewed the lease in Ballston for 20 years. “We look forward to the new year with introducing the new Bronson business model, innovative design and fun atmosphere and serving the Arlington community,” said Mike Cordero, in an emailed announcement.
This post was updated August 6 to reflect a new projected opening timeframe.
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