Capitol Hill’s Newest Gay Bar Has a Big Patio and Fireplace Lounge

Capitol Hill’s gay bar scene has a new addition in Union, which opened yesterday with a verdant patio and an interior fireplace lounge in the former home of Restaurant Zoe. Union is owned by nightlife veterans Steve Nyman, Nathan Benedict, and Mark Engelmann.

The business (1318 E. Union St.) has a full kitchen and bar, with 10 beers on tap. The food menu (seen below) is a straightforward collection of crowd-pleasing appetizers like baked brie and bacon-cheddar dip; flatbread pizzas; paninis; burgers; salads; and sandwiches, including a Philly cheesesteak and a reuben.

“We aim to be a relaxed, comfortable place for drinks and food serving the Capitol Hill gayborhood and neighborhood,” said Benedict.

Scott and Heather Staples (Feed Co. Burgers, Uneeda Burger) transitioned Restaurant Zoe into Zoe Events, an events business, in February 2016, before selling the space to Union’s owners, once major players in the Capitol Hill gay bar scene. Nyman and Benedict owned now-defunct gay bars Inside Passage and Thumper’s, while Engelmann managed competitor C.C. Attle’s.

Union is open daily from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.

• Union Cocktail Lounge Will Bring Together Capitol Hill Gay Bar Legends [CHS]
• Restaurant Zoe on Capitol Hill Will Become Strictly an Events Space After Sunday [ESEA]
• Union [Facebook]
• Union [Official]
• All Coverage of Union [ESEA]