New D.C. crafting & community space blends making, art and cocktails
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Merry Pin first floor bar and shop. Photo: Merry Pin
We all could probably use some more "good spirits." A new community space between Shepherd Park and Takoma promises just that.
Why it matters: In a moment of exceptional political upheaval in our nation's capital, might I recommend some crafts?
Zoom in: Merry Pin opened in mid-June and is many things: coffee and cocktail bar; seller of yarns and needles, paper crafts and fabric art supplies; and space for private events and casual hangs.
- As young people ditch booze, it's also a perfect space to host a party that revolves around an activity besides drinking (more on that later).
- During my recent visit, I encountered a gray-haired woman knitting at the bar with a granddaughter-looking companion. She told me she supported the business' Kickstarter campaign. She'd been looking for such a place!
State of stitch: Merry Pin, whose name borrows from an English idiom "to be in good spirits," was co-founded by Madeleine Odendahl, Michele Molotsky, and Megan Flynn ("Three Crafty Ms," as the fundraiser put it). Naturally, they're running this business on the side.
- It's two floors, with the downstairs primarily dedicated to commerce/coffee and the upstairs filled with purple love seats, pastel-painted chairs and long working tables for structured or unstructured crafting.
- They already have a robust calendar for the summer: a Bridgerton craft soirée on July 5 (yes, that "Bridgerton," $12/ticket), a Hand Building Clay Workshop (July 10, $60/ticket), an Intro to DIY home decor (July 16, $25/ticket), and a Punch Needle 101 Workshop (Aug. 4, $45/ticket).
- A Crafty Brunch (weekends only) and happy hour menu (4:30pm-6:30pm, Monday-Friday) just debuted.
The vibe: All ages-friendly and a community space where even the light fixtures are fun and reminiscent of elementary school. Roll up your sleeves, and feel no shame.
- Similar businesses exist in other cities, like Happy Medium in New York, which opened in 2021 and has locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
If you go: My partner's birthday party was Merry Pin's very first private event — a candle-making workshop for a dozen of us.
- I bought the cake and candles (thank you, Saku Saku Flakerie). Our instructor-owner Flynn kindly guided us from bags of soy wax to scented candles in mismatched jars. Some were adorned with dried flowers, and we also got to select three fragrance oils ahead of time.
- Also available to purchase for the group were assorted non-alcoholic HOP WTR and a running tab of caffeinated drinks. We bought snacks, but they helpfully had utensils and plates on site.
- We are in our tender early 30s and cleared out by 7pm.
The bottom line: Adults need more wholesome play.
- Full disclosure, we did post-game with burgers at Slash Run.
