Starving Artists Bistro returns to Friant and Fort Washington

Starving Artists Bisto reopened at Friant and Fort Washington roads this week, with the promise of something new.

The restaurant/performance space announced a soft opening on social media as the “same spot, same open mic, but new owners, new look, new menu and a whole new vibe!”

Along with the announcement, the restaurant shared new business hours (which includes weekend brunch service) and menu from its new chef. The food choices are fairly substantial, with a full list of salads, plus burgers, flatbreads and pasta and a selection of main plates that includes a bourbon bacon rib-eye, something called a steak scampi showstopper and a Marsala Remix (that’s chicken and mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce).

It will have cocktails and the like, but the restaurant liquor license is pending, it says.

There will be live music, though exactly how much and in what form is unclear. Messages to the new owner were not immediately returned, but music does appear to be part of the new vibe. A photo collage posted online shows walls decorated with hanging guitars and pictures of famous performers, including Elvis.

Starving Artists Bistro, remembered

Until it abruptly closed in 2024, the restaurant was known for its food, but also live music and art, as the name implied.

It was a rare space for performers in the north part of town. During its 12-year run, more than 2,000 performers had played its open mics, blues jams and feature nights and its closure came as shock to both patrons and a set of longtime performers, who “literally grew up on their stage” (to quote singer Kinzie Rose).

Then owners cited “a number or private reasons,” for the closure. The restaurant had struggled, then rallied after COVID, they said, but were ultimately broken by “the rules, regulations and laws that have been imposed on the restaurant industry over the last many years (along with horrible inflation and continuing food and staff shortages).”

“We simply cannot maintain the quality of food and service our customers rightfully expect.”