Durdin (Vol)

 

Durdin's latest establishment is in a good location just off a metro stop in the southeast part of town. Tucked away in a commercial building, its large sign and lots of strings of lights make it easy to find. As with the other locations, the bar is the first thing patrons see upon entering. It is on the left, with about 8 stools. On the right are two long high tables with about a dozen stools each. Past the bar, there are rooms to the right and left. To the right is a large single story room with a small stage and not much light. Seating for maybe 70 here. On the left is a split-level room with large windows. Here there is seating for about 50, in booths and tables underneath, or in tables up above. The booths each have small individual TV screen mounted on the wall. The furniture is all very dark wood, complementing nicely the maroon floor tiles, wood and beige plaster walls and industrial ceiling. The split level room has bookshelves on either end, with lots of old looking books. The service was good and quick, perhaps because the place was only about 1/3 full on a Friday at 1:00 p.m.

The bar has lots of taps (14?), but only six beers are offered - all house brands, one of them seasonal. The beers are top notch and served well, although they still don't quite have the glassware down right (pilsner served in a globular mug, while the red lager comes in a pilsner glass). The "winter bock" was much more of a Maibock, but who wants to quibble. The borscht was excellent - the rest of the food decent if unspectacular. Good place all around. The beers are worth coming to try.