El Rey's Live Performance Venue In Ballston To Hold Grand Opening

ARLINGTON, VA — The Filling Station, a live performance venue next to Mexican restaurant El Rey in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood, is holding a grand opening party on Friday and Saturday.

The new performance venue, with seating for about 50, will feature Cowpoke, a country-folk-rock trio, on Friday and rock band Skip House on Saturday. Doors open on both days — Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12 — at 5 p.m. and the shows begin at 8 p.m.

The grand opening parties will also feature giveaways and special prizes.

The Filling Station and El Rey, both owned by restaurateurs Ian and Eric Hilton, are located at 4201 Wilson Blvd in Ballston Exchange, across Wilson Blvd from Ballston Quarter.

In September, The Filling Station will start to feature Wednesday Night Comedy, Sunday brunch and football watch parties with no cover charges.

The performance venue will have a smaller version of El Rey’s menu, plus 17 beers on tap, WTOP reported Monday. El Rey opened its Ballston location in December 2021. Its original location on U Street in D.C. opened in 2014.