Capital One Center may be hopping on board with the modern-day “speakeasy” trend that continues to fascinate the D.C. area.
Capital One recently applied for a commercial alteration permit from Fairfax County that would allow for a “Watermark Speakeasy” on its headquarters campus in Tysons. The 1,500-square-foot bar would be located at the top of the 25-floor Watermark Hotel, adjacent to the fitness center, according to a building plan dated May 16.
The plan, which is still under review by the county, shows a restaurant that could accommodate a total of 105 occupants, including dining area with standing room and bar seating. A 112-square-foot vestibule and a commercial kitchen that would have up to three occupants are also featured.
It’s unclear how, or if, the establishment will be disguised in keeping with the origin of speakeasies as clandestine operations necessitated by Prohibition.
A spokesperson for Capital One Center confirmed that the development is considering adding another dining option to its hotel at 1825 Capital One Tower Drive South, but additional details — including whether the bar will be operated by a new tenant or serve as an extension of Wren, the hotel’s existing restaurant — weren’t forthcoming.
“Given the demand and limited capacity at Wren, our award-winning Japanese fusion restaurant located on the 11th floor of The Watermark Hotel, we are exploring additional concepts to compliment our food and beverage offerings,” Capital One Center Head of Public Affairs Meghan Trossen told FFXnow.
The Watermark Hotel and Wren opened on Sept. 21, 2021, shortly after Capital One Center introduced The Perch, an elevated urban park anchored by Starr Hill Biergarten, and before the performing arts venue, Capital One Hall, debuted.
Since then, the development has expanded its food-and-drink roster with food trucks on The Perch, the Tex-Mex restaurant Ometeo, Stellina Pizzeria and, most recently, a full, ground-level pub for Starr Hill. According to Capital One Center’s website, Sisters Thai is still slated to open sometime in 2024, but a couple of planned restaraurants have fallen through.
Though Fairfax County isn’t a hot spot for secret bars, Open Road Distilling Company does have a speakeasy-style restaurant called Heirloom inside its Reston Town Center location. Some tucked-away watering holes can also be found in neighboring Arlington and Alexandria, which has been credited with starting the nostalgic trend.
Over in D.C., the speakeasy craze has reached a point where a distillery had to refute social media rumors that it had a bar hidden in its storage closet, Washingtonian reported.
