Warren Peter Balish, known to family and friends as “Peter,” passed away peacefully in his home August 5, 2021. You can learn more about his life here.
Today’s post features Peter Balish, owner of Cleveland Park Bar & Grill (3421 Connecticut Ave NW)
Tell us about your business! When was it founded and what inspired you to start your business?
We opened in 2005. The best Sportsbar in Washington DC. We love sports and great food. We wanted to deliver sports more completely than ever before with food that aspired to be more than bar food.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My partner and I have 30 years each in the business. I graduated from the University of Maryland where I was a sports fanatic.
What is unique about your business?
We have 50 HD TV’s and are completely dedicated to providing a totally comprehensive sports watching experience. We have the neighborhoods largest rooftop patio which has a lovely view out on to Connecticut Ave. as well as a full service bar and over 10 large screen HD TV’s on the deck. We provide food that is several notches above what you find in other sports bars. We are proud to be the neighborhood’s place to gather for events for over 15 years.
Are you still operating during COVID-19? In what ways?
Yes! We do carry out and delivery.
How can the community support you right now?
By ordering carry out and delivery food as well as sealed beer, wine, ciders, and alcoholic seltzer drinks to go as well as I visually prepared sealed craft cocktails. We have lowered all of our beverage prices to that of package stores to be a competitive option in that market space.
What is your favorite thing about this community?
This is the most beautiful and unique neighborhood in all of DC. It has a real small town feel to it while being in the Nations Capital. People look out for one another.
If you could tell all of the residents in the Cleveland Park Main Street area one thing, what would it be?
Please support your local spots as best as you can. Staying open on the other side of this will be incredibly difficult. We are all going to need all the help that we can get. Without your support we most definitely will not survive.
Often when people hear the term ‘Main Street’, they think about business corridors. But many people do not think about the stress and loneliness that many business owners experience while navigating the hurdles of entrepreneurship and running a business—especially during an unprecedented pandemic. Main Street programs all over the country work to make sure that business owners have an advocate and support system so that your favorite local coffee shop or tailor can keep their doors open. Help us continue doing our work by chipping in $10, $100, $1,000.