31 Aug 2011

Farewell Hawk 'n' Dove — Cervera to Expand Empire

hawk

image uploaded by meeshypants on Flickr

It looks like Xavier Cervera’s taste for owning a chunk of Capitol Hill is expanding beyond Barracks Row and Eastern Market.  It was announced yesterday the Hawk ‘n’ Dove will close this fall, undergo some substantial renovations, and reopen next spring under Cervera’s ownership.  Yes, one of the oldest drinking holes on the Hill will be gutted and renovated, close on the heels of losing our beloved Tune Inn.  The era of the Hill dive bar appears to be coming to an end, as will “Club Dove,” the term by which many young drinkers affectionately called the upstairs room that hosted a DJ and dancing on Saturday nights.

According to the Hill Rag, Cervera, “has not only purchased the name, but a good deal of the memorabilia (including the clock, some wall sconces and photographs) which will be returned to the walls. But he adds that it will be a “100% renovation.” He will open three heretofore hidden fireplaces, and plans to panel the walls and bar with the 30,000 pounds of dark mahogany he has already purchased. As for the exterior, he has consulted with Nancy Metzger of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, and the Historic Preservation Office, for their advice prior to a September 6th CHRS hearing, and looks forward to “the façade being an asset to the Avenue.”

Cervera, who already owns several bars on 8th Street — Molly Malone’s, Lola’s, Chesapeake Room and Senart’s — is also in the process of opening two other restaurants in the area and is rumored to be working on deals on H Street and in the Boilermaker Shops near National’s Stadium.  The two restaurants that are already in the works are Pacifico, which will replace Capitol Hill Video on 8th Street, and Box Car, which will replace Petite Gourmet, across from Eastern Market.

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18 responses to “Farewell Hawk 'n' Dove — Cervera to Expand Empire”

  1. monkeyrotica says:

    Can anyone explain this guy’s obsession with mahogany? EVERY place looks exactly the same. Does he get some sort of bulk discount on dark wood?

  2. monkeyrotica says:

    Can anyone explain this guy’s obsession with mahogany? EVERY place looks exactly the same. Does he get some sort of bulk discount on dark wood?

  3. Andy McKinley says:

    His establishments that all look alike are not an asset to Penn Ave. Authentic spots like the Hawk are.

  4. Jay Davis says:

    Give it a rest people. His places are very very nice and the Hawk is a total dump. Place smells like a toilet and the food is disgusting. I think the only ones that are upset are those that will miss the super cheap booze and the infamous under age nights. Good riddance

    • Andy McKinley says:

      I’m 33- I have no need for the dance parties. However, what is so bad about a dive bar that adds a bit of character to the Hill? Does it offend your sense of status?

      I prefer a neighborhood that has character rather than a neighborhood that reeks of uniformity.

    • Andy McKinley says:

      I’m 33- I have no need for the dance parties. However, what is so bad about a dive bar that adds a bit of character to the Hill? Does it offend your sense of status?

      I prefer a neighborhood that has character rather than a neighborhood that reeks of uniformity.

      • Jay Davis says:

        Sorry. But a dump is a dump. A dive bar does not have to be a dump. Tune Inn is a classic example. A great dive bar thats never smelled like a toilet and has always had consistent bar food. Again, good riddance old Hawk n Dove. Definitely stoked about the new Hawk n Dove!

        • Andy McKinley says:

          I love the Tune Inn, but I don’t expect to see it on any shows featuring marvelous architectural design. Prior to the smoking ban, it smelled like a chimney.

          Yes, I do like cheap booze. A Jack and Coke has two ingredients in it- paying $8 for it at all of Cervera’s establishment doesn’t magically lead to a better drink.

  5. Jay Davis says:

    Give it a rest people. His places are very very nice and the Hawk is a total dump. Place smells like a toilet and the food is disgusting. I think the only ones that are upset are those that will miss the super cheap booze and the infamous under age nights. Good riddance

    • Andy McKinley says:

      I’m 33- I have no need for the dance parties. However, what is so bad about a dive bar that adds a bit of character to the Hill? Does it offend your sense of status?

      I prefer a neighborhood that has character rather than a neighborhood that reeks of uniformity.

      • Jay Davis says:

        Sorry. But a dump is a dump. A dive bar does not have to be a dump. Tune Inn is a classic example. A great dive bar thats never smelled like a toilet and has always had consistent bar food. Again, good riddance old Hawk n Dove. Definitely stoked about the new Hawk n Dove!

    • Art says:

      What Jay is failing to mention is that he works for Xavier, and is attempting to be his shill, by bad mouthing one of DC’s oldest bars, and ignoring what will happen to those whose jobs will be lost by its closing.

      And what DC needs in another bar lined with Mahogany, it is after all a tropical tree with questionable sustainability. Why he felt the need to build the Chesapeake Room that prides itself on loving the Mid-Atlantic waters and farms with a tree from Latin America is beyond me.

      Perhaps Washingtonians will miss a large variety of independent restaurants and bars to frequent, over similar looking places with over priced drinks and no history or character.

      I’m sure Jay would never be caught in a “dive bar” drinking cheap booze and having a great time, hopefully Hill residents can still go to the Cap Lounge or Pour House and enjoy crappy food, cheap drinks, and great times.

  6. marybindc says:

    I wish we could at least prevent him from using the Hawk ‘n Dove name. Because it won’t remotely be Hawk.

  7. marybindc says:

    I wish we could at least prevent him from using the Hawk ‘n Dove name. Because it won’t remotely be Hawk.

  8. I just spoke with Xavier Cervera and got some more information — such as the proposed changes to the outside were at the request of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. We’ll bring you more info about the redesign next week after the September 6th CHRS hearing!

  9. I just spoke with Xavier Cervera and got some more information — such as the proposed changes to the outside were at the request of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. We’ll bring you more info about the redesign next week after the September 6th CHRS hearing!

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