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Down by the Riverside
By RENEE SKLAREW
Steps across an exclusive walkway from Salamander Washington DC is The Wharf, a now nationally renowned, vibrant and transformed historic waterfront neighborhood with dining, entertainment and water activities.
The city of Washington DC
awaited with great anticipation the unveiling of The Wharf in June of 2017. What had been abandoned warehouses became a streetscape of sleek high-rise buildings and plazas spanning the historic Washington Channel. The Wharf ’s most notable asset was Wharf Street, a riverside promenade providing much hoped for public access to entertainment, dining and water activities. A waterfront culture center was born. Since then, The Wharf has continued to evolve, with a series of recent retail openings and new food options offering a wide range of cuisines for those exploring the capital city.
Washington DC’s Maritime History Washington wasn’t always a city of politicians. Centuries before they arrived, the Piscataway and other tribal nations fished and hunted beside the marshy coves of the Potomac River. The first documentation of its untouched beauty comes from British Captain John Smith who navigated up “the Patawomek” from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608.
THE WHARF AT SUNSET
Markets and Restaurants
Wharf and Docks
FOUNTAIN
Fun on the Docks
History of the Wharf
After the European settlers landed decades later, they established plantations along the Potomac River. One local landowner was particularly enamored with the area and thought it would make an excellent capital city.
In 1791, President George Washington was given the role of selecting a site for the Federal City and planted the American flag into the swampy landscape we now call the District of Columbia. Scientist and mathematician Benjamin Banneker, the inspiration for Dōgon, the restaurant in Salamander Washington DC, was appointed by President Washington as a surveyor on a six-man team which helped design the blueprints for the District, making him the first Black presidential appointee in the United States.
By the late 1880s, the two-mile Washington Channel was dredged to harbor ships traveling up the Potomac. The Wharf served as a military base during the Civil War and was later home to emancipated African Americans and recently arrived immigrants. Many made their livelihoods at the Municipal Fish Market, the longest continuously operating open-air fish market in the country. Constructed in 1805, The Wharf developers preserved this beloved market, where you can still find the freshest seafood in the city.
The Wharf is Washington DC's Waterfront Entertainment Hub
Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, the master developers of The Wharf, worked with local leaders to envision spaces where the city could access the city's underutilized waterfront. They added four modern piers designed for activity and interaction. Monty Hoffman, founder and chairman of Hoffman & Associates, explains, "The water is magic, it brings out the best in everybody."
The Wharf was immediately embraced by the community, drawing people of all ages to eat, shop, and partake in year-round events. The Wharf kicks off winter with an over-water ice rink and Holiday Boat Parade. When spring arrives, the city gathers for Bloomaroo, a festival celebrating DC's iconic cherry blossoms. In the fall, you'll see folks dressed in Lederhosen for Oktoberfest or spooky costumes for Dia de los Muertos. Once the Splash Fountain at 7th Street Park opens, you can't tear the kids away.
Music is a vital part of The Wharf, with indoor music venues showcasing a variety of artists year-round. The Anthem is DC's cutting-edge concert hall where you can see legendary musicians in an intimate setting. Grammy winner Billie Eilish, country icon Willie Nelson and hometown rocker Dave Grohl are a few who have performed there. Nestled in the brick alleyway is Pearl Street Warehouse, a smaller, more relaxed venue featuring tribute bands, jazz, soul and bluegrass. Look for musicians, and comedians at Union Stage Tap Room and Kirwan’s Irish Pub.
Up on the Roof
Looking for a vibe with a view? Try a DC craft beer at Cantina Bambina, the old school bar above The Wharf Water Taxi dock. Speaking of local beverages, grab a stool on the rooftop patio at Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company to sample tropical cocktails infused with Thrasher's white rum. La Vie elevates the fine dining experience on its elegant rooftop terrace. Share a pitcher of sangria perched on Mi Vida's balcony hacienda. Sip a prosecco on the rooftop of Officina and watch as watermen deliver the area's prized blue crabs. All offer panoramic views of the sun setting over the Potomac. The Wharf is a tableau of families snuggling together on the giant swing, couples. walking their dogs, teens at Camp Wharf toasting s'mores, and a joyful bride and groom posing for photos by the water. It's just another day at The Wharf, and everyone is welcome.
Get on the Water
What's a waterfront village without boats? The Wharf Marina has always been home to seafarers who traveled the Potomac River in vintage yachts, sailboats and fishing charters. The Wharf has expanded its fleet of public boats, so now anyone can climb aboard and see the sights.
If you want to navigate the waters on your own, rent a kayak or paddle board at Wharf Boathouse and pilot to East Potomac Park with its hundreds of cherry trees and public golf course. Prefer an experienced captain? Choose a sightseeing cruise or the regional water taxi to Maryland, Georgetown and Virginia. Favorite day trips are to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon, and Historic Alexandria Virginia, where America's Founding Fathers were known to sip a grog or two. Whether you prefer private dining on the yacht Cru Classé, or a dance party onboard the glass-enclosed Odyssey, viewing DC's monuments from the water is unforgettable.
Let's Eat and Drink
Washington DC is known for its global cuisine, and at The Wharf you can taste recipes from around the world. Celebrate the dishes of coastal Spain at Del Mar, where James Beard award-winning Chef Fabio Trabocchi serves his acclaimed seafood paella. Colada Shop's Cuban and Kaliwa's Filipino/Korean are zesty flavors to explore. The owners of Rappahannock Oyster Bar helped restore the Chesapeake Bay oyster population, and you can sample from their oyster beds.
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