The 42-year-old Pre-Flite Lounge was beloved for its unpretentious atmosphere, cheap drinks, historical value and truly bizarre decorative elements. The bar inside the K Street Mall’s parking garage—its name comes from the days travelers would enjoy a pre-flight beverage while waiting for the airport shuttle—was demolished in April in anticipation of arena construction.
But Pre-Flite lives on, and the second iteration held its soft opening Wednesday at 1011 10th Street, a basement spot that was once an old bank vault. Find the entrance in the graffitied Jazz Alley between J and K Streets—there’s no sign to help you.
Owner Jason Yee brought over a bunch of artifacts from the old Pre-Flite, including the stewardess mannekin, odd lamp affixed with origami cranes, posters, signs and, best of all, the former entrance doors. You know, the one that states happy hour is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and everything costs 65 cents?
The new space definitely holds less must, but stays true to that no-frills, tucked-away, somewhat janky vibe—dim lights, one long bar, tall cans of Pabst for $2.50 and a neon jukebox.
Yee isn’t sure what he’ll do for the grand opening celebration yet, but in the mean time, find Pre-Flite open daily starting at 4 p.m.