MACKEY’S CRYSTAL CITY
MACKEY’S CRYSTAL CITY
“Crystal City. Closer to the Washington Monument than most of DC, yet it felt like the end of the earth.”
With Mackey’s Pub in DC going at a steady clip, the partnership decided to try a second location across the river in Crystal City, Virginia. This hub of government workers seemed like a great fit for a lunch and happy hour pub, yet we never really found our footing. The location had been an Italian restaurant before we took over and we never really made it feel like a true Irish pub. Reviews were lackluster and the vibe never really felt right.
Mackey’s partners left to right: Curt Large, Rich Mackey, Mark Handwerger, Geoff Dawson, Shay Rourke
Our crew of craftsmen were led by my UMass college friend Geoff McNabola. Geoff has had his hands in most of the bars I’ve started since CarPool in Herndon. He’s helped build some of DC’s most iconic spots: Franklin Hall, Penn Social, The Bullpen, Millie’s, Rocket Bar and Iron Horse to name a few. Here he is in front of the raw space that became Mackey’s, standing next to his ear wagon, Old Blue.
We lasted for about 5 years in Crystal City, making a slight profit before finally throwing in the towel. BOWLERO has taken over at that location.