It takes a lot to set a bar apart in a hospitality landscape as crowded as DC. Choosing a catchy name provided by one of America’s foremost songwriters is a great start, particularly when the tavern is masterminded by an established District hospitality professional. Sean Ryan, one of the minds behind Snappy’s Small Bar, is launching Frank’s Wild Years, and with a name courtesy of Tom Waits (who certainly knows a thing or two about bars), it is certain to bring atmosphere and flavor to the DMV.
The establishment will be setting up its stools at 1345 S Street, N.W. Frank’s Wild Years has applied for a liquor license and the submitted paperwork provides a little insight into what’s to come. The form filed with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration shows that the bar will be able to seat up to 35 visitors inside with additional space for 15 more customers on an outdoor “sidewalk cafe”.
The paperwork additionally mentions “Entertainment Endorsement with Cover Charge inside the premises only”, suggesting future regulars can anticipate some form of live entertainment, likely music.
While a great deal of information isn’t presently available about Frank’s Wild Years, Ryan’s pedigree suggests that locals are in for a treat. Snappy’s is a stylish but relaxed establishment, full of imagination and humor. The decision to name the new bar after a Tom Wait’s song suggests Ryan is bringing the same level of specificity and charm to his next endeavor.
