Atlas Arcade & Church and State: Nostalgia and the Speakeasy

by Brian Stascavage

Located in a two-story building on H Street, Erik Holzherr has opened two radically different bars. The lower level is the geek haven, Atlas Arcade. On the upper floor is Church and State, a self-proclaimed speakeasy that uses only American-made spirits. "I'm a cocktail geek," Erik explains as the bartender hands me a gin and tonic, "[and I wanted to open] a museum to the American cocktail." Having experience with mixology with his first bar, Wisdom, Erik sought to bring that experience to H Street.

The decision to use American-only liquors  in Church and State was inspired by the passion that Erik saw in American distilleries and their stellar products. As a result, he sought to make them the focal point for his bar. They follow this mission statement to a tee, even going so far as to say "If we can't find it [made in America], we'll make it ourselves." 

DC isn't a state, and this is no church, but it'll keep your spirits up.
(image from Church and State's website)

The low lighting, wooden pews, and adorned stain-glass windows help give the bar a unique feel combined with the usual cozy and intimate H Street environment. It felt strange, drinking in a setting that reminded me of Mass, but it also provided a feeling of tranquility, a contrast to an usually-chaotic Friday night.

Church and State is a stark contrast to the downstairs bar, Atlas Arcade. I went from the quiet, peaceful atmosphere to one filled with the lights of arcade cabinets, music blaring from the jukebox, and a giant projector screen. The change was jarring at first. Above the bar are large TVs with SNES and Atari machines attached and GI Joes, all relics of Erik's childhood. 

Nostalgia is a powerful force, a reminder of a simpler, kinder, more cheerful time. This feeling seems to be magnified in my generation, the children of the 90s. The rise of the Internet has allowed us to preserve those memories and feelings and to easily revisit the mediums of our childhood through cartoons via Netflix and NES emulators. 


It should come as no surprise that a bar on H Street, DC's newest expanding district, sought to capture that feeling for their patrons. Filled with old arcade machines, movie posters for "Jaws" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark," even GI Joes hanging on the walls, make Generations X and Y feel right at home, our old memories resurfacing as we once again hold a real Nintendo controller (A and B buttons and all).

Dreams do come true. (Image from Thrillist)

To use Erik's words regarding Atlas Arcade, "I wanted to build a bar that the eight-year-old me would think was cool." After a chance meeting with a guy who could repair arcade cabinets, Erik went about acquiring cabinets for its opening last August. He is constantly looking for new games, new attractions for his arcade, and is very attentive to feedback in order to provide for his patrons.

The arcade also has an abundance of DC-local microbrews, both bottled and draft. However, Atlas does not support a kitchen. It instead offers childhood snacks such as popcorn, Gushers, and other candies. The space that would normally be used for a kitchen was put to better use as floor space for the arcade. This simple design works well, triggering memories of playing in movie theater arcades before a show started. While arcade games, such as Ninja Turtles and Donkey Kong, do take quarters, both serving as a callback to simpler times and a reminder of a forgotten nuisance, the console games are free - but also first come, first serve.

An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age. (Image from Thrillist)

Atlas is much more than a arcade with alcohol, though. In the center of the bar is a giant protector, used for Atlas's monthly Rock Band nights (held on the first Tuesday of each month), Michael Jackson's "The Experience” dance parties, and sporting events. Their cozy but presentable setup has been praised by many, even to the point of being declared the second best place in DC to watch March Madness. 

Atlas believes very strongly in engaging the DC community, and frequently partners with groups such as Rock Band DC and even our own DC Geeks to host nerdy events; their layout and provided entertainment making it a natural spot for geeks and video game enthusiasts. Atlas Arcade is the perfect mix of 80's and 90's nostalgia and modern nightlife: the games' cabinets, like the Simpsons Arcade Game, have been fitted with cup holders. Crushing my friend in Street Fighter II was even sweeter with a drink next to me and a small crowd watching.

As a reminder, DC Geeks hosts a monthly happy hour at Atlas Arcade. Our next event is July 10th. For more about these bars and their origin stories, please check out our podcast with the owner of Wisdom, Atlas Arcade, & Church and State - Erik Holzherr.