Buckeye + Bear: The Buzz Behind Dupont’s Newest Live Music Venue

If you’re on the hunt for a place to watch the Olympics this month, Dupont Circle’s newest live music venue and sports bar has you covered. Buckeye + Bear, a casual neighborhood hangout on M Street, opened in June with a wide slate of offerings. But if sports aren’t quite your bag, fear not – the venue has something for everyone.

The two-room entertainment space is the latest from partners Ryan Seelbach and Eric Lund, who opened The Huxley in the same spot in 2012. Earlier this year, the duo opened TAKODA Restaurant, Beer Garden & Whiskey Bar in Shaw, an experience that paved the way for the similarly community-focused Buckeye + Bear, a name drawn from their home states of Ohio and Alaska.

“We pride ourselves on being very warm and inviting. To do that successfully, we have to have programming that reflects different tastes.”

“We really enjoy running a neighborhood-friendly venue,” says Seelbach, who got his start in the industry working in Las Vegas. He and Lund saw a need for a smaller, laid-back space that had a lot to offer – a local stop with something for everyone.

To do that, Lund and Seelbach put together a roster of regular performances spanning genres from Latin to country, and featuring regular comedy nights and live band karaoke. That’s in addition to showing all major DC sports games and others from around the country.

“If someone comes in and has a game they want to see, we will do that for them,” Seelbach says, emphasizing that the venue is designed to meet the needs of guests.

From the bookings to the beer selection, there’s a strong local focus at Buckeye + Bear. The bar has DC Brau and 3 Stars on draught along with other staples (available half-price during their nightly happy hour), and the BBQ menu includes the DC half-smoke alongside nachos and sandwiches. The lineup for live performances is also largely drawn from the DC scene, including sets from Underground Comedy on Tuesdays, District Cabaret on Saturdays, and Kostume Karaoke and Trio Caliente on alternating Wednesdays.

“I would say 75 percent of our performers are local,” Seelbach says.

The other 25 percent are acts passing through town, and reflect the overall vibe Buckeye + Bear is going for – that everyone is welcome.

“We pride ourselves on being very warm and inviting. To do that successfully, we have to have programming that reflects different tastes.”

So far, it seems Buckeye + Bear has found its place among other local venues, due in part to the variety they offer.

“Whether it’s showing comedy acts, Latin trios, country music or live band karaoke, the reception has been extremely positive.”

Catch “live power hour” band Lunch Money Bandits on August 18, and checkwww.buckeyebear.com regularly for details about other upcoming shows. There you’ll also find information about birthday specials (including free drinks with advance notice), tickets to special events and game schedules.

Buckeye + Bear: 1730 M St. NW, DC; 202-670-1730;  www.buckeyebear.com