Crypto bars and entertainment spots are invading Washington

Washington is exploring real-time crypto payments, and Republicans are at the forefront. According to reports, there are pubs and entertainment venues that exclusively accept crypto payments. Here comes the future of crypto in popular businesses.

The first case involves a bar in DC that was popular with Republican staffers. Apparently, it announced that it was closing and would be replaced by a bar that only takes crypto like Bitcoin as payment.

Pubkey, a bar in Greenwich Village that describes itself as a “vibrant bitcoin community,” had taken over the lease of Hill Country. Hill Country is a popular Texas barbecue restaurant and music venue that recently announced it would close its doors in Penn Quarter after 14 years.

To the folks that care, welp, it’s Hill Country: https://t.co/xt12lYdY2W

— PoPville (@PoPville) March 19, 2025

Pubkey’s move to Washington is a big deal in the history of crypto, even if it doesn’t replace the Republican bar. With the bar’s opening coming up soon, it looks like the crypto community is actually making progress in the nation’s capital.

Lawmakers used to think that crypto enthusiasts were just a bunch of shady libertarians. Still, now that big names in crypto, like David Sacks and Elon Musk, backed Trump’s reelection, the crypto community has a lot of power in the Trump administration. In fact, now businesses can make crypto payments without debanking. 

Hill Country is to be replaced by Pubkey, a business that runs on crypto

Hill Country was not just your normal bar. It is a bar with decor that screams “TEXAS” louder than anyone else’s. It has long been known as a great place for Republican workers to go out at night for live country music, a good smoked brisket, and reasonably priced well liquor. It’s also a spot where powerful GOP lawmakers might be seen having fun.

For instance, in 2023, Rep. George Santos was seen singing “I Will Survive” at a karaoke bar. At the time, he was being investigated by the federal government and Congress for theft and lying about his background.

Trump was the first president to use Bitcoin for transactions, which was seen as a sign of support for the crypto community. He used $998.70 worth of Bitcoin to buy smash burgers for everyone. 

Pubkey, which opened in 2022 near the Manhattan campus of New York University, has a very laid-back vibe. It’s a dive bar/podcast studio that’s buried underground and serves pub food created by a former employee of Eleven Madison Park. Anyone could hang out there as long as they paid with cryptocurrency.

Democrats seen in a crypto business 

Pubkey owner Thomas Pacchia said that the company will open a location in Washington, DC, in the next few months.

Even though he knew that Trump’s visit got bad press, Pacchia said that Democrats like Rep. Ritchie Torres and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand had also been to Pubkey and hoped that the new address would bring in people from both parties. He said that anyone who wants to talk about Bitcoin is welcome. 

In the last few years, more and more places to hang out that focus on crypto have opened up all over the country. Meanwhile, the global crypto market cap today is $2.85 Trillion, a 3.9% decline in the last 24 hours. Trump’s policies have hit all markets. When everything is hopefully settled, there will be more than enough reasons for the industry to rally.