Project Description:

//3877 is serving up ‘90s nostalgia with its design for Nighthawk Pizza, a combination beer hall and pizza joint in Arlington, Virginia’s Pentagon Row Shopping Center. The eatery, conceived by Aslin Beer Company, restaurateur Scott Parker, and Reverie chef Johnny Spero, serves classic comfort food alongside low-ABV beers. The design pays homage to ‘90s diner aesthetics—think “The Max” from Saved by the Bell—fused with Scandinavian sensibilities, resulting in a fun and colorful, yet refined space.

Upon entering, guests are greeted by a vibrant merchandise display showcasing Aslin beers and Nighthawk merchandise such as t-shirts, glassware, mugs, hats, and stickers. Drawing on Aslin Beer Company’s proclivity for bold and colorful graphics, //3877 collaborated with graphic designer Mike Van Hall from Opprobriations to ensure that the restaurant’s visual elements reference the brand while simultaneously creating a distinct aesthetic for the new space. An emphasis on bold patterns and bright colors carries throughout, creating focal points that connect the restaurant’s different sections. 

The interiors are marked by a clean Scandinavian color palette of bright whites and natural woods interspersed with pops of intense colors—blues, reds, pinks, and oranges—in the furniture and bold custom ‘90s-inspired patterned wallcoverings. The central dining room is separated from the open kitchen by a wall clad in a mixture of white and holographic tiles. //3877 designed a range of custom communal and freestanding tables to support a variety of dining experiences, including a modern, picnic table-style atmosphere. 

On the opposite side, a spacious bar is set off by a custom linear light fixture suspended from the ceiling. A central back bar features rows of taps for all of the Aslin beers on offer. Colorful bar stools and a variety of table types provide guests with a range of seating options. A custom 3D, 20-foot-wide, backlit art piece depicting a hawk graces the back wall and solidifies the brand. In the back corner, an eye-catching barcade offers additional entertainment for guests. 

During the day, the space is brightened from the natural light that shines through the large storefront windows. At night, the restaurant is illuminated by a balance of surface mount ceiling lights, linear wall sconces with a custom ‘90s pink hue, and sculptural pendants that hang above the dining table for a more intimate setting. The inventive ceiling design symbolizes the collaboration between the restaurant’s creators––across the solid and semi-open ceilings, a colorful pattern of brightly lit linear elements connect the different sections of the space. They also act as geographical references to the team’s other projects and home bases, drawing lines from Reverie, Bronson, Aslin Herndon and the //3877 offices in representation of the collaboration. The linear elements fold down select wall surfaces, furthering the eatery’s immersive dining experience. 

//3877’s design for Nighthawk Pizza brings a vibrant, sophisticated gathering spot to Pentagon Row. Emphasizing bright colors and eclectic patterns offset by soft neutral backdrops, the space packs a strong graphic punch and ushers visitors into a bygone era.