Leftbank to close Saturday after one last party

Leftbank, the modern restaurant and dance club in the heart of Adams Morgan, will close Saturday after one final party. "It's the recession," says owner Bekir Gunes. "Business is down."

Gunes, who started out in valet parking at Leftbank's previous incarnation, Cities, and worked his way up to become a partner in the venture, is disappointed to close the restaurant that he bought in 2004. In the '90s, Cities was one of the hottest spots for D.C.'s European and diplomatic crowds. With its chic decor, Leftbank looks the part, but it hasn't had the same buzz in recent years.

While Gunes found a new group of investors to take over his interest in the space, "they don't know what they're going to do yet," he says. He does offers this hint, though: "They're European."

The "One Last Bash" on Saturday night is what host (and former doorman) Mark Gundersen calls "an inventory party" to get rid of all the liquor that's left. For $40, guests can drink whatever they want -- including the top-shelf bottles -- from 10 until 2:30 while DJ Mete spins dance music. Dress to impress.

-- Fritz Hahn