Would You Give Up Your Phone For A Night Out? D.C.’s Newest Bar Thinks You Should
On September 5, Washington D.C. became home to its first cell phone-free bar. Founded by Rock Harper, the winner of Hell’s Kitchen season three, Hush Harbor is a Black-owned pub where, if you want to enjoy a pint, you’ll have to lock your phone up.
Understandably, the idea of not having access to your cell phone for several hours can be scary, but during an interview on Maryland’s WTOPS News, Harper offered reassurance: Customers keep their phones at all times and can step outside to use them if necessary; they just have to lock them up when inside.
Harper shared his philosophy behind Hush Harbor’s no phone policy. He was inspired by stories his mother told of the original hush harbors, where former Black American slaves congregated in secret to practice their African faith, share stories and connect with friends and family. They’d often meet deep in densely wooded areas to avoid detection.
“What really makes us unique is we’re leaning into presence, community, and connection,” he says. Hush Harbor offers a unique hospitality experience focused around being present without the constant distraction of cell phone notifications.
He says that meeting offline is as important today as it was then. It gives people the opportunity to slow down and get back to simple face-to-face interactions, which supports community and overall quality of life.
According to Exploding Topics, people check their phones an average of 58 times each day. While convenient, cell phones are equipped with functions intended to keep you using them, per the Addiction Center. That’s likely why people feel weird, or “naked,” without their cell phones.
That said, whether you stop by for a quick drink or stay for a friendly hang, taking a break from doom scrolling for a few hours is probably one of the best things any of us can do. We spend so much time experiencing life through the lens of social media, which, while entertaining and useful, doesn’t accurately reflect reality. Capturing a moment on video doesn’t make the moment. Hush Harbor is a fire concept because it celebrates the simple connections in life that are often more meaningful than whatever makes your timeline look amazing.
Hush Harbor is open Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is located at 1337 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, on the Streetcar line, a short ride from Union Station.
