It's finally been announced. Nanny O'Brien's Pub in Washington, DC has been sold. However, the new owners operate some other bars on the same block, and have said that they want to keep the name and the Irish decor. I don't know if the session there will continue or not. I'm sure sure there will be more news soon.
word on the street is: new owners bought all the bric-a-brac off the old owner, are keeping the name, and don't want to change the music element. that said, there might be some renovations (fingers crossed), so the back room might be out of commission for a little while, but like NorthEagle said, no firm news yet.
Petworth, D.C.: I am in deep, deep mourning for the Nanny's that was.
So, what can you tell us about Bedrock's plans for Nanny's?
Fritz: Well, it's reopening today after a one-day cleaning job. The kitchen is going to be back in gear "soon," says Bedrock founder Geoff Dawson, who adds that the kitchen hasn't changed since he applied for a position at Gallagher's, Nanny's predecessor, a few decades ago.
Mostly, though, what I'm hearing from the Bedrock folks is that they want to keep the good parts of Nanny's -- friendly staff, good music, great pints of Guinness -- and ditch all the negatives, like slow service, the odd smell, etc. As someone who went to Nanny's on his 21st birthday, I'm rooting for them.
I was at the first session at Nanny's after the change in management (February 6), and it was great to see people come out and support the session. The new management wants the session to continue. I hope they stick to their word, and to their plan to renovate the restrooms and kitchen. Some of the old staff was hired, too. So far so good, and come on by if you are visiting the DC area soon. (However, the Web address listed here is no longer correct -- hopefully the new owners will post a new site soon.)
Also, this session is now starting right at 9pm now, though some regulars can't make it until later. New management, so far, has been pretty supportive of this session and trad music in general (still keeping my fingers crossed). Still, this session is almost back to the wonderful pace it had years ago, and if you are visiting the DC, come by and check us out.
I have been visiting DC for many years and always go the the session at Nanny's and remember when it was THE session in DC. Many of the old regulars have gone elsewhere, but the session is like the energizer bunny, it just keeps going, and going. I have always enjoyed it. Last week I went and Brendan Mulvilhill and Brian Gaffney were there and the session was fantastic.
Oh no!!!!! I'm afraid I left ALL my carefully organized tunes and sets at the session weeks ago... Thought I would run acrss them in moving, but alas, no! 3x5 cards on rings in purse-like fake leather black bag with handles and red interior. Represents an enormous amount of work and woud be MOSTgrateful to discover their whereabouts and recover them before I move to Australia! Am in DC till Friday, if anyone remembers seeing, please email Karen from Richmond at zengastudios@hotmail.com.
Time
ostensibly starts at 9pm, but lately has been getting going closer to 10pm. runs until about 1am or so.
(i know, it's a bit much for a weeknight, but still...)
used to be a kids' seisiun once a month before the regular seisiun, but not anymore.
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by JHowley
Session at Nanny's in peril
Management has just changed hands, so the future of this long-running session is in doubt.
# Posted on January 30th 2007 by patrick cavanagh
Nanny's O'Brien's Pub has been sold
It's finally been announced. Nanny O'Brien's Pub in Washington, DC has been sold. However, the new owners operate some other bars on the same block, and have said that they want to keep the name and the Irish decor. I don't know if the session there will continue or not. I'm sure sure there will be more news soon.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by NorthEagle
word on the street is: new owners bought all the bric-a-brac off the old owner, are keeping the name, and don't want to change the music element. that said, there might be some renovations (fingers crossed), so the back room might be out of commission for a little while, but like NorthEagle said, no firm news yet.
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by JHowley
Update
from the Washington Post's "Going Out Gurus", 2/1/07:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/01/25/DI2007012501235.html
Petworth, D.C.: I am in deep, deep mourning for the Nanny's that was.
So, what can you tell us about Bedrock's plans for Nanny's?
Fritz: Well, it's reopening today after a one-day cleaning job. The kitchen is going to be back in gear "soon," says Bedrock founder Geoff Dawson, who adds that the kitchen hasn't changed since he applied for a position at Gallagher's, Nanny's predecessor, a few decades ago.
Mostly, though, what I'm hearing from the Bedrock folks is that they want to keep the good parts of Nanny's -- friendly staff, good music, great pints of Guinness -- and ditch all the negatives, like slow service, the odd smell, etc. As someone who went to Nanny's on his 21st birthday, I'm rooting for them.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by JHowley
The new management wants this session to continue
I was at the first session at Nanny's after the change in management (February 6), and it was great to see people come out and support the session. The new management wants the session to continue. I hope they stick to their word, and to their plan to renovate the restrooms and kitchen. Some of the old staff was hired, too. So far so good, and come on by if you are visiting the DC area soon. (However, the Web address listed here is no longer correct -- hopefully the new owners will post a new site soon.)
# Posted on February 8th 2007 by NorthEagle
Web site for Pub; also, starting up right at 9pm now
The Web site for the pub is http://www.nannyobriens.com/
Also, this session is now starting right at 9pm now, though some regulars can't make it until later. New management, so far, has been pretty supportive of this session and trad music in general (still keeping my fingers crossed). Still, this session is almost back to the wonderful pace it had years ago, and if you are visiting the DC, come by and check us out.
# Posted on January 12th 2008 by NorthEagle
Still going
I have been visiting DC for many years and always go the the session at Nanny's and remember when it was THE session in DC. Many of the old regulars have gone elsewhere, but the session is like the energizer bunny, it just keeps going, and going. I have always enjoyed it. Last week I went and Brendan Mulvilhill and Brian Gaffney were there and the session was fantastic.
John
# Posted on February 19th 2008 by John Conoboy
Nanny O'Briens
Popped in here while visiting friends on 28th April. Lots of musicians, great tunes and a friendly welcome. Thanks guys!
Helen
# Posted on May 12th 2008 by helenakitt
HELP!!!! Left my music at Nanny O'Briens!!!!!!!
Oh no!!!!! I'm afraid I left ALL my carefully organized tunes and sets at the session weeks ago... Thought I would run acrss them in moving, but alas, no! 3x5 cards on rings in purse-like fake leather black bag with handles and red interior. Represents an enormous amount of work and woud be MOSTgrateful to discover their whereabouts and recover them before I move to Australia! Am in DC till Friday, if anyone remembers seeing, please email Karen from Richmond at zengastudios@hotmail.com.
# Posted on November 20th 2008 by ZengaGirl