Wilson Hardware opens tonight in Clarendon with bar food like crab dip, corn fritters, fried pizza dough stuffed with cheese, and mac and cheese studded with bacon. City Paper learned the restaurant would take over the Ri Ra Irish Pub back in July. 

Co-owner Jad Bouchebel says the bar is is named after Virginia Hardware, which occupied the storefront (2915 Wilson Blvd.) from the 1960’s through 2005. It’s 7,000 square feet and includes a main floor, patio lounge, mezzanine lounge, and a rooftop bar. Design firm SWATCHROOM outfitted the space with a splashy papier-mâché mural as the focal point. 

The drinks play off the building’s hardware store origins with names like the “Blueprint” (rosé, vodka, cantaloupe, lemon, ancho chile, and mint) and the “Adjustable Wrench” (bourbon, rum, vanilla, and chocolate bitters). Beers are priced at $6-$9. Cocktails start at $10 and top out at $23 for a sharable drink for two people.  

Wilson Hardware opens tonight at 5 p.m. A week into operations they’ll open at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch. Brunch will start in the following weeks.

See the complete food menu below.

Wilson Hardware, 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, wilsonhardwareva.com