He sings, he cycles, he's Brian Harrison of The Reef.
Sixteen years ago, while traveling east from the Midwest, Brian Harrison’s beaten-up, graffiti-painted Volkswagen bus broke down in DC. Harrison and his wife chose to stay after they quickly fell in love with the city. Then, in April 2002, Harrison, along with 45 volunteers, built Adams Morgan nightspot, The Reef. Being the entertaining, hospitable man that he is, Harrison graciously agreed to sit down with On Tap during his busy Friday night shift to answer our questions.
OT: What do you like about owning a bar in DC?
Brian Harrison: I like DC because it offers a richness of culture and experience. I see this diverse crowd walk through these doors every day and it’s awesome to get to know these people and hear their stories.
OT: What’s the best part about working behind the bar?
BH: It’s a great feeling to know that you play a huge part in giving people the chance to have fun and throw their worries out the door. I have my regulars that come visit on weeknights and when I see the same people continue to return, I know I’ve done my job. They’ve found a place where they feel comfortable and safe, and anytime I can offer that to someone it is very fulfilling.
OT: Do you have your own signature drink?
BH: The Root Beer Float, Marion Barry Stripper, Push-Up Bra and the Osama Bin Latte are some of my specialty shots.
OT: What fictional character best describes your personality and why?
BH: Indiana Jones. I am great when I’ve been dealt a bad situation. Like Dr. Jones, I am a pressure player who is the antidote to stupidity.
OT: What are your hobbies?
BH: I am an avid cyclist and ride my bike to work, which is a 20-mile commute roundtrip. Not many people know this about me, but I also enjoy painting and I usually have one art show a year that debuts at The Aroma Company (www.thearomaco.com). My artistic style ranges from surrealism to realism.
OT: If you could make a drink for someone famous, who would it be and what would you make for them?
BH: I would sit down with Belgian cyclist Eddy “The Cannibal” Merckx and pour him a Belgium Gouden Carolus [a Belgian ale]. Then I’d ask him about his most embarrassing wipeouts.
OT: What is your dream?
BH: I am living my dream. What’s next is to open up another bar in the area and also operate a bed and breakfast on a sailboat in the Caribbean. When you retire you die, so I will never stop doing things.
Catch Brian Harrison on the roof top bar of The Reef every Thursday and Friday. You can’t miss him — he’s the life of the party and everyone knows who he is. If you’re lucky enough, he won’t just pour you a tasty drink, but he’ll also serenade you with a mean baritone harmonization to Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”
The Reef: 2446 18th St NW, DC; (202) 518-3800; www.thereefdc.com
[googleMap name="The Reef" width="590" height="235" mousewheel="false"]2446 18th St NW, DC[/googleMap]
