'Bachelorette' Star Chris Bukowski Dishes on Clarendon Sports Bar

Reality star turned restaurateur Chris Bukowski has announced the name for his new sports bar opening in Clarendon: Bracket Room.

“The two most important things are great food and great service,” Bukowski said. “We don’t want it to be your typical bar food.”

The 3,000-square-foot restaurant is opening at 1210 N. Garfield St., which was formerly the spot for Burapa Thai. Bukowski appeared on the ABC shows "The Bachelorette," season eight, and season three of the show’s spinoff "Bachelor Pad.”  

Before appearing on reality TV, Bukowski when to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he majored in hospitality, food and beverage, management.

“I always wanted to have my own restaurant, now it’s happening,” Bukowski said.

He moved to Maryland a few months ago and was introduced to the Arlington area by friends.

“It was a great area,” Bukowski said, adding that he dined at Whitlows on Wilson in Clarendon. “It’s a really happening area in Virginia and I feel like it’s a place where people still go out to eat seven days a week.”

He hopes that his restaurant will be something different from a typical sports bar. More of a lounge-type feel, with smaller plates and fresh food made on the premises.

“We want to make it comfortable for everyone to enjoy,” Bukowski said. “Not just a sports bar with a manly feel.”

That also means appealing to women, Bukowski added.

“We want them come in and have a few drinks with the girls. We want to be a place to go even if there’s not a big game on,” Bukowski said.

He hopes that the restaurant will open in the spring or early summer. In the mean time, they are looking for a chef and planning out the design.

“Things change every day,” Bukowski said. “We are excited to be a part of Clarendon.”

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