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Every empty lot seems to be an excuse for a beer garden this summer. The latest: Canteen from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which will open June 18 in a brick courtyard surrounded by office buildings at 2100 M St. NW. As you can see above, the space is also used for barre fitness classes.
The 100-seat beer garden is a partnership with the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District and Liberty Property Trust, which are trying to “activate” the block in order to bring more people to the area. Many of the buildings near Canteen will be rebuilding and renovating over the next several years.
NRG Beer Director Greg Engert, who’s responsible for the beer lineup at ChurchKey, Bluejacket, and The Sovereign, has curated a list of 10 brews to kick off the summer. Beyond an IPA and saison, funkier offerings include an oak barrel-aged saison with lemongrass and white sage from Colorado’s Crooked Stave as well as a red wine barrel-aged dark saison from Colorado’s Fate & Funkwerks.
Meanwhile, Red Apron Butcher chef Nate Anda has created a menu of hot dogs, including one with beef, bacon chili, and cheese whiz and another spicy sausage with “Viet slaw” and citrus aioli. Rotating food trucks will also serve up grub.
Expect live music on Saturdays, lawn game tournaments on Fridays, and other family-friendly activities and art installations throughout the summer.
Weather permitting, the beer garden will be open Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. through September.