Duffy’s Set to Reopen With Same Wings, New Owner

Duffy’s is coming back.

The bar, which was heralded as D.C.’s best Nats bar by the Washington Post when it closed last November, will again serve its famous wings when it reopens at 2106 Vermont Avenue NW in mid-September.

On Saturday, the pub launched an IndieGoGo campaign seeking $150,000 to help with the reopening. Contribution perks include half-off food and drinks, credit toward future bar tabs and the chance to rent out the bar for an entire night.

Former owner Andy Duffy says he will return to serve as the pub’s general manager. Manning the ship as owner will be Casey Callister, a local film producer and longtime Duffy’s regular.

“We are going to reopen regardless of whether we hit the goal,” Duffy says. “The lease is already signed.”

Although the ownership has changed, the general feel of the bar hasn’t, says Duffy.

“There will be new furniture and some things the customers won’t even notice,” he says. “We’re going to concentrate on the wings.”

But Duffy hopes customers will take notice of one small change: the addition of fish and chips to the menu. “Casey is a huge fish and chips fan, so we’re going to do the best fish and chips in town,” he says.

For Duffy, the reopening couldn’t come soon enough. He says that when his restaurant and bar closed in November, he moved to Florida and got a job waiting tables at a Bonefish Grill.

“I was completely broke when I left,” Duffy says. “I literally didn’t have a dime to my name.”

Though he says he enjoyed not being the center of attention for a while, Duffy is eager to get back to the way things were before.

“I’ve been here for about five days now painting and renovating. I’ve been inside the place day and night,” Duffy says. “I’m full of energy and focused and ready to go. We want to start off strong on day one.”

Image via Facebook.com/DuffysIrishPub