Project Description:
Just steps away from the action of Nationals Park lies Duke’s Grocery, one of the latest additions to the lively neighborhood of Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard. The hip, East-London-inspired pub and eatery welcomes neighbors and visitors alike to their most recent location featuring the architectural and interior stylings of local multidisciplinary firm //3877. After their successful collaboration on the Foggy Bottom location of Duke’s Grocery and Gogi Yogi Korean Steakhouse & Bar in Shaw, Managing Partner Daniel Kramer once again tapped //3877’s team of architects and designers to capture the essence of the brand in a new space. Completed in February of 2023, Duke’s Grocery brings a refreshing familiarity to Navy Yard and provides a home for locals and sports fanatics alike.

Duke’s Grocery welcomes guests to enjoy a fulfilling meal, a tasty drink and a great time in a laid back atmosphere with a London-style menu featuring the Proper Burger(R), which has been voted the Best Burger in D.C. for eight years in a row. The design team drew inspiration from East London’s corner cafés, bodegas and curry joints, with grunge-inspired wall murals, dark wood elements and copper accents.

Through the double door entry, guests are greeted by a large, factory-style window overlooking the expansive dining room. The mainstage focus of the new location is the bustling 50-person copper top bar, framed by wall-mounted televisions on a huge mural wall. The custom copper bar is a signature design element at each Duke’s Grocery location, utilizing the natural aging of the material to evolve alongside the space, a testament to the brand’s continued dedication and longevity of each storefront. An overhead garage door sits to the right of the bar, enticing passersby with the indoor action while directly immersing Duke’s Grocery patrons into the streets of Navy Yard.

Soft, warm lighting complements walnut wood and dark metal fixtures welcome guests into the dining area, seamlessly transitioning from the excitement of the bar to a more relaxed atmosphere. The seated area consists of a banquette that wraps the three enclosing walls and this part of the pub can also be sectioned off for private events. Towards the back of the bar, guests can sneak a glance at some back-of-house and in-the-kitchen action––a design element carried on from other Duke’s locations, showcasing the inner workings of the F & B team that is often hidden away from guests.

The giant attention-grabbing murals behind the bar are a nod to the rawness of the East London street art scene. The main mural depicts English icons Shakespeare, Hitchcock and Kate Moss, while the walls feature  U.K. celebrities Princess Diana, Sir Elton John, Freddie Mercury, James Bond, Banksy, Pink Floyd, The Who, and even fictional English soccer coach Ted Lasso.

A robust and engaging space with memorable nods from both across the street to Nationals Park as well as across the pond in London, Duke’s Grocery is sure to impress all customers, whether from home or away.