Bajo, a Spanish and Japanese restaurant with a vinyl listening bar, is set to open this fall beneath Eighteenth Street Lounge in Shaw.
A Minibar Alum Takes Over a Historic Shaw Alley Space
Bajo will open at 130 Blagden Alley NW, in the underground room that was home to Never Looked Better. That cocktail bar paid tribute to the martinis and shooters of an earlier era, and it opened to the public in June 2021.
Now, husband-and-wife team Chef Max Rivera and Sarah Montell of Hambre Hospitality are giving the space a second act. Rivera has cooked in six countries and worked in Michelin-starred kitchens. Most recently, he cooked at José Andrés’ minibar. As a result, expectations are already high for this Shaw restaurant opening!
The address also places diners in Blagden Alley, where new dining spots keep appearing in the neighborhood’s historic alleyways.
Tapas, Yakitori and Sake Define the Bajo Menu
The kitchen focuses on the places where Spanish and Japanese cooking already overlap. Expect tapas, yakitori skewers and crudo. Spanish and Catalan wines will be poured alongside a dedicated sake list. This pairing has a DC track record, too.
Cranes, chef Pepe Moncayo’s Spanish and Japanese restaurant in Penn Quarter, earned a Michelin star in 2021 and closed on February 18, 2026. Consequently, Bajo arrives with an open lane in the city’s dining scene.
Small plates also make it easy to order in rounds and stay longer than planned.
Vinyl and Live DJs Turn Dinner Into a Late Night in Shaw
Music sits at the center of the concept. Vinyl records and live DJs will set the mood in the subterranean room, so the evening can shift from dinner to drinks without changing venues.
Meanwhile, Eighteenth Street Lounge operates upstairs. For DC diners, one address can now cover a full night out. Come early for tapas. Stay late for the records.
Plan Your Visit to Bajo in Blagden Alley
Bajo is targeting a fall 2026 opening, and Eater DC has reported a late October debut. A final date had not been announced as of late September, so confirm before planning a reservation. Bajo is located at 130 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001.
The Washington Lobbyist will share Bajo’s opening date, first menu and reservation details as soon as they are released, so follow along and plan your first night underground in Shaw!
