ESL LOUNGE IS BACK
Eighteenth Street Lounge, Shaw
In 1995, Farid Nouri and his friends felt a specific kind of energy was missing in Washington D.C.'s buzzing dance and live music scene. They talked about opening a more intimate kind of environment with a different low-key vibe focusing on different styles and genres of music. By doing so they unknowingly changed the face of the city's culture and reputation worldwide.
So much contributed to the iconic status of 18th Street Lounge. Not only was it their versatile approach to music by appealing to audiences who could appreciate the fusion of reggae, jazz, house, trip-hop and drum and bass. They also really knew how to do it. They welcomed everyone, but kept the standards high. Creating the right atmosphere was part of their longevity and success. People that loved the vibe became regulars, and everyone that worked there from the door to coat check were all really part of that vibe.
18th Street Lounge became a beloved place in D.C. for 25 years, until sadly having to close its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic. People all over the world reacted to the news with major disappointment and with the hope that there would be a comeback. So the good news is that ESL is reopening, not bigger, not louder, and not the same.
"The mid-1990s was the slick and suited post-Reservoir Dogs era. The woozy metronomic thump of Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky was the soundtrack. Every weekend, same ritual: up the longest, narrowest stairs you've ever encountered and into the pulsating void. Sometimes it seems as if everyone who has ever lived in Washington has found themselves on the vintage sofas at ESL at least once."
1230 Ninth Street N.W. in the historic neighbourhood of Blagden Alley, Shaw. Smaller and more intimate than the original.
The outdoor space ties elements of the indoors outside. A fireplace mantel nods to the 18th Street location. Lilies throughout.
Anna Le (Art Director, Lead Muralist) and Artis Moon (Assistant Muralist) have touched every brick in the new venue.
Weekend afternoons and early evenings with curated programming dedicated to the mind and body experience, alongside nightly music.
"The new ESL will be smaller and more intimate and have a dedicated patio space keeping true to its original aesthetics. It will also include some new creative elements through collaborations with local artists. I don't want to share too much, but there will be weekend afternoons and early evenings with curated programming dedicated to the mind and body experience, and of course, the focus will also be on highlighting different styles of music every night, be it live music, DJs, or both."
"This has been a dream project, and a dream team with which to work. Having the opportunity to contribute as Art Director, with in my opinion the most important live music venue D.C. has to offer, has been a heartfelt reconnect to a city that has lost too many venues over the last few years. As long-time fans of ESL, my team and I were able to really tap into the heartbeat of ESL's long-standing history as a place to celebrate and connect through music. We've touched every brick in the new venue with the spirit that is ESL and our love for the community that's been a part of it for over two decades. I'm so excited to welcome everyone home."
"As a D.C. native, I was honoured to be invited into the fold of this project as a muralist. To collaborate with fellow Corcoran alumni in realising the vision for the new space made it extra special. We put our heart and soul into the paint in honour of all those who have loved ESL and made it a success over the years, including those who are now our Ancestors. The concept for the patio garden was to tie in elements of the indoors and bring the comfortable feel of ESL outside. The fireplace mantel is a nod to the 18th Street location. There will be lots of lilies in the outdoor space."
I don't think you can or should try to recreate something that was so special. Some things just have their time and the evolution should formulate into something new, something born out of those years. The ties will always be there. It's hard to recreate a time. We can all crave it. But there is no doubt there is a lot of love being put into this.
Written with cautious optimism and a lot of love for everyone who made ESL what it was. The lilies are a good sign.
Photography Nancy Anderson Cordell
