Wings Concept Dries Up; Live Music Planned for Former Box Space

The owner of the former Box Bar is back and planning a live music concept for the Old Georgetown Road space after a recent re-branding effort failed, according to blogger Robert Dyer and a Bethesda Now report.

Dyer broke the news Wednesday that an effort to re-brand the former Hooters-style sports bar as a family-friendly eatery featuring Dry Fried Wings had gone south, with the restaurant appearing closed in recent weeks. Bethesda Now confirmed the news and reported that former Box Bar owner Jason McCarther bought the space back from George Farrell, the short-lived owner who re-launched the restaurant last month with a high-profile kickoff event featuring civil rights activists, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

McCarther will base the music venue on his downtown Washington, DC, nightclub Roc Bar, but will focus on live music in Bethesda and dub the space Roc Bar Live, according to the reports.

The opening of the re-re-branded space is set for March 2, just one day after another live music venue, the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, is set to open its doors.

A call to a publicist for more details on the failed wings venture wasn't immediately returned.

What do you think of the new concept for the former Box Bar space? Are you glad to see more live music coming to Bethesda? Tell us in the comments.