Marvin

Marvin, named after DC son Marvin Gaye, is one of the latest lounge/bistro additions to open on the U Street corridor. It’s been a little bit since a place popped up that was a little bigger, had a DJ and some dancing so people have been lining up to see what the deal is . Marvin is located at 2007 14th Street NW.

Cost – $$

Service – B
The service is pretty much what you would expect with a crowded bar, however, the staff seems to try to do a good job without an attitude.

Food – B
The restaurant on the first floor has a mixed menu featuring Belgian items and soul food. I happen to like both so I enjoyed the variety. There are over 30 types of Belgian beers which is a very good thing in my book.

Decor – B
The restaurant is where the homage to Marvin Gaye takes place. Again it’s the Belgian/soul mix with a collection of photos paired with chalk boards and large mirrors. Upstairs has photos of other musicians and small rounds with high back benches.

Feel – A-
Just like 18th Street Lounge and Local 16, the upstairs patio is what makes the place really work. It has been crowded on weekends but I still found it possible to carve out a spot to talk with friends without having to shift around to let people through. The music is decent which makes for a decent vibe.

What’s the Buzz:

January 7, 2008 – Marvin’s (Chocolate Milk) – A few weekends ago some friends and I went out for drinks at Marvin’s. For those of you that haven’t yet been to there it’s a Marvin Gaye themed restaurant/bar brought to by the Thievery Corporation (the same guys that own 18th Street Lounge). Full Article…

October 22, 2007 – Meet Marvin for Real this Time (Prince of Petworth) – Arguably the most anticipated new bar and restaurant, Marvin, has opened on 14th Street just north of U Street. This was the bar that had the soft opening last week. If you like Eighteenth Street Lounge and Local 16 you are going to love this place. Full article…

Marvin on Urbanspoon

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. The Best Bars in DC - February 27, 2008

    […] #8 – Marvin […]

  2. The Gibson - May 13, 2009

    […] had been raving about The Gibson, a speakeasy-esque lounge surreptitiously located directly next to Marvin, so we decided to give it a […]

Leave a Reply