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Ready to move beyond ‘new Capitol Hill,’ Lost Lake and Comet veterans teaming up on Post Pike Bar and Cafe on Broadway

Done with Pike/Pine? Post Pike, a new neighborhood bar and cafe coming to the Broadway core, might be the hangout for you.

“We worked on Pike/Pine for so long… this is after,” co-owner Onjoli Dela Torre tells CHS, echoing the thoughts of many Hill long-timers about the Pike/Pine nightlife economy — “That was new Capitol Hill to me,” Dela Torre said.

Currently the general manager at Lost Lake, Dela Torre is teaming up with Comet bartender Max Lovelace on the new project to create a daytime cafe with coffee and sandwiches that will also serve as a hangout bar neighboring the Broadway post office near a collection of other nightlife venues including Blade and Timber, the Highline, and Nacho Borracho.

UPDATE: Despite the Lost Lake and Comet connection, Dela Torre says the new project is 100% independent with Dela Torre and Lovelace the sole owners.

The space was formerly home to tamale and cider joint A&A Cafe and the Broadway location of shuttered poke chain Aloha Cup Bap.

Planning a November opening, Dela Torre said going out on their own will be a new challenge for the first-time owners. “I never expected to open a place during a pandemic,” Dela Tore said.

The Pike/Pine ex-pats are planning to keep things simple and working with what they have in the former poke bar space. At 1,500 square feet, Post Pike will have room for about 50 patrons but will operate at reduced capacity under COVID-19 restrictions.

The new bar and cafe comes amid a ripple of COVID-19 closures across Capitol Hill. New projects have also popped up here and there. Post Pike joins with at least one recent example of new businesses with tiny footprints on what has been a high-rent commercial core for the neighborhood. CHS reported here on the October opening of hot dog and grill joint Soul Shack in Broadway’s tiniest commercial space — the 80-square-foot kiosk at Broadway and Harrison.

Thriving on Broadway will depend on mixing and matching how Post Pike can meet the needs both daytime and nighttime of work-from-home residents and customers in the area. Dela Torre also believes that Broadway is on their side.

“I love Capitol Hill and working on this side — the fun part,” Dela Torre said. “When I lived on Capitol Hill 15 years ago, this is where I hung out.”

Post Pike Bar and Cafe is planned for a mid-November opening at 212 Broadway E. You can keep track of updates at postpikebar.com.

 

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genevieve
genevieve
3 years ago

I am so, so heartbroken that A&A Cafe did not make it. Their tamales were really great. Even without the challenges of the pandemic, that’s a tough space – it’s large and airy inside but just about invisible from the street.

Good luck to Post Pike.

Joey B
Joey B
3 years ago

I couldn’t be more proud on Onjoli & Max. They are a force to be reckoned with. Years of hardwork has paid off and they have an opportunity to own and create their own space. I have no doubt that it will be a hit. Cheers to Post Pine!

Believe Women
Believe Women
3 years ago

Would love to confirm Dave Meinert is not part of this business, given historical ties to both.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Believe Women

You know he’s not. Why bring it up?

Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
3 years ago

I feel bad for that tamale place. Talk about opening at the worst possible time.

Hillrat
Hillrat
3 years ago

Congrats and all but I’m like where are you getting the capital to open a joint like this amidst the lingering pandemic where indoor capacity is going to be at very low numbers for the foreseeable future?

Mr. Prescient
Mr. Prescient
3 years ago
Reply to  Hillrat

Well, some people like Onj, Max, and myself save for years to implement our projects; you should “like” try it sometime.

Carol
Carol
3 years ago

That is my niece, she has the chops and comes from a family of successful and hard working entrepreneurs, she will kill it.

Congratulations to you two you are amazing….

Nichole
Nichole
3 years ago

Congratulations. It’s great to hear about a new small business opening. Best of luck to you.