Over the last century the building that houses the Tune Inn Restaurant has seen a variety of tenants and establishments. At the turn of the twentieth century the building was home to the Homemade Candy Kitchen, a speak easy during prohibition which would bring one bottle at a time upstairs thru a concealed staircase, then was a men’s tailor, called Tune Tailors, which would cater to the gentlemen of the U.S. Congress. Just before the mid 1900’s, Joe Nardelli acquired the building’s current endeavor, the Tune Inn Restaurant. He had recently arrived from Catfish Run, West Virginia, where he had spent his youth as a coal miner. From coal miner, growing up one of nine children in a one room shack, to Capitol Hill Bar owner, with a few stops in between, Joe had arrived to serve patrons on the hill. Joe’s son, Tony, had joined his father in the ‘60’s and ran the family business during the ‘70’s, through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, until 2006. Joe’s granddaughter, Lisa, joined her father, Tony, in 1995, as the third generation of Nardelli’s to own and operate the business. The fourth generation, Joe’s great grandsons, are set to take over the family business…once they are old enough to see over it! Lisa, and husband Thomas, a D.C. Homicide Detective, have three boys ready to carry on the family tradition. To date, the Tune Inn, est. 1947, holds the second oldest liquor license in Washington, D.C. after the repeal of prohibition. Over those years, customers and employees alike have lent their color, character and flair to our history; many of whom we consider family. People who return to the Tune Inn over the years say the same thing: “This place has not changed!” We have been featured in Esquire Magazine’s, “100 Best Bars in America” in the ‘80’s and then again in June 2006; featured on “HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher”; included on George Motz’s book, “Hamburger America: One Man’s Cross-Country Odyssey to Find the Best Burgers in the Nation.” In April 2010, Guy Fieri filmed an episode of his Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” at the Tune Inn which will air in the fall of 2010.
Come in, let your hair down, and make yourself at home. Joe and Tony would have wanted it that way.
Deer Ass = Tune Inn House Specialty
Guy Fieri= Guy’s Feature Item Signature Sauce = Homemade, house recipe sauce that goes with everything. Just ask for a side!
Open 8am-2am Sunday - Thursday and 8am-3am Friday & Saturday Kitchen closes one hour prior to closing
- Breakfast Served All Day -
Phone: 202-543-2725
Fax: 202-543-2818