This is not your father’s suburb.
Well, actually there are quite a number of dads and moms who live in the Northern Virginia community of Clarendon, but the neighborhood is one of the region’s rare non-District locations that appeals to parents and their older children alike.
“It’s pretty lively,” said Linda Slape, who works at Hard Times Cafe in the heart of Clarendon and lives nearby. “Bars are open late. It definitely appeals to a younger crowd.”
Night life is one of Clarendon’s staples. Bars and clubs line Wilson Boulevard, the community’s “main street.” Liberty Tavern, the Clarendon Ballroom and Hard Times are among the favorites.
Each February, Clarendon hosts the Washington area’s biggest Mardi Gras celebration. The annual Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade features floats, beads, music and food. It aims to capture the spirit of a small-town, family-friendly Louisiana celebration.
Because it’s unincorporated, Clarendon does not have official borders, but Arlington County’s Clarendon sector plan defines them as Cleveland Street, 11th Street, Kirkwood Street, 13th Street, Highland Street and Wilson Boulevard. The housing stock ranges from recently built apartments to large single-family homes in a variety of styles.
First developed around the turn of the 20th century, Clarendon evolved into Arlington County’s first “downtown.” Trolleys originally connected the area to neighboring communities, but now the Metro’s Orange Line stop is the area’s transportation hub. Since the station opened in the early 1980s, Clarendon has become a hot spot for urban professionals seeking a livable, yet lively, suburban experience.
“It’s not the normal suburb,” said Adrianne Freshman, office manager of the Clarendon Ballroom and an area resident. “Their houses aren’t all the same; it’s a different feel than other suburbs close to the city. Also there are no chain restaurants.”
Clarendon residents seem to take pride in the funkiness and originality of their eateries. Ray’s the Steaks and Eventide are among the spots that have garnered critical and mass praise, but a host of other Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, nouveau American and Mediterranean restaurants are in the area.
For those who want to cook at home, there’s the Wednesday farmers market, featuring organic produce, baked goods, plants, herbs, homemade soaps and more. It’s open year-round in the park near the Metro station from 2 to 7 p.m. A Whole Foods on Wilson Boulevard also is a big draw for residents.
Still, Clarendon is best-known for what it has to offer after dinner. Live music can be rare in the ’burbs, but Clarendon boasts some of the area’s best spots. Iota on Wilson Boulevard hosts top-name singer-songwriters on its stage in a small, intimate environment, and Whitlow’s on Wilson features live music five nights a week.
Throughout the year the Clarendon Alliance sponsors or co-sponsors several community events, including Clarendon Day, the Golden Snowman contest, Taste of Arlington and the Mardi Gras Parade.
In spirit and makeup, Clarendon is a gumbo.
“It really is a wide variety of people,” Slape said during a recent Tuesday lunch rush. “We see parents with kids, really old people and all ages in between.”
Never mind your father — Clarendon is a suburb for everyone.
