Co-owner Alexis

Hillside Bar is open and doing just fine on Capitol Hill. In this season of neighborhood favorites closing over lease and landlord issues, CHS needs to make that point clear from the start.

But when we stopped in recently to congratulate Hillside on a decade of business on Capitol HIll, CHS found out we had the math wrong. We missed the anniversary.

By two years.

This year, there is no news at Hillside — just good times.

Hillside Bar is open and owner Sean McAteer renewed their deal to stay on Capitol Hill in 2022 with a new ten-year lease.

“We have always wanted to keep the tradition of Capitol Hill neighborhood bars, so I would say it was definitely a plan from the very start,” McAteer said. “Our favorite part of the location is its proximity to the most diverse and unified places in Washington.”

McAteer says Hillside’s goal isn’t to stand out in Capitol Hill, but to be inclusive since that’s what a neighborhood bar is all about.

“We are proud of the beer and liquor selection we have, and our staff is the best around,” he added.

“We always pride ourselves at being able to pour the classics and a great pint of beer, but this time of year, we enjoy experimenting with holiday flavors with different infusions and cocktails—we let our bartenders get creative,” McAteer says.

Twelve years after its 2012 debut, being able to celebrate another Hillside anniversary means overcoming the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the bar’s community. McAteer says the pandemic taught them how to adapt to unexpected challenges.

“As with all small business owners, the start of COVID was a stressful time. We are thankful for the community—helping us through the toughest of times,” McAteer said.

The owner says he is excited to continue to host a space that welcomes the whole neighborhood that’s also able to put on events that raise awareness for worthy causes.

“We are grateful for the support of the neighborhood over the last 11 years, and look forward to the next decade,” McAteer said.

Stop in and say congratulations one of these nights at Hillside where no news is good news.

Hillside Bar is located at 1520 E Olive Way. Learn more at hillsidebar.com.

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