Brabo’s Chef de Cuisine Will DJ at the Latest Industry Night Series

harperIndustry nights seem to be all the rage in D.C. right now, whether it's guest chef series or late-night happy hours for post-shift cooks and bartenders (and their hang-alongs). The latest comes from Brabo in Old Town Alexandria, where chef de cuisine Harper McClure will DJ in addition to turning out discounted food and drinks.

Brabo's Industry Night kicks off Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. and will repeat on the third Monday of every month. "Alexandria's got a lot of great restaurants and unfortunately we don't always have a lot of time to get together," McClure says. "It works pretty well in D.C. I don't know of anybody who's doing anything in Alexandria like that." The event, which is open to the public, will include a limited menu with $10 white wine mussels, $5 margherita or sausage tarts, and $3 Virginia brews. (Each month will highlight a different brewery, starting with Lost Rhino.) 

For now, only Brabo's staff will cook (unlike, says, Graffiato's Industry Takeover Night which features a rotating roster of chefs from around the city and country). But if it takes off, Brabo may invite in guest chefs...or guest chef DJs.

About the music: McClure says he got into the "rave scene" as a young teenager and professionally DJed for a while. Now, he does it from time to time at friends' parties or at home. He plans to set up his equipment in the restaurant's tasting room and play house music from the late '90s and early 2000s for the monthly parties.

"The goal is to do standing room only," McClure says.

Brabo, 1600 King St., Alexandria; (703) 894-3440; braborestaurant.com

Photo of Harper McClure by Jessica Sidman