Nestled between a local supermarket, a bank, and the Northeast Performing Arts Group headquarters on Benning Road NE lies a low-slung white brick building that has become a cherished community landmark. Its vibrant murals may grab your attention, but it’s the spirit of the Chateau Lounge that keeps patrons returning year after year.
For over 50 years, Chateau Lounge has served as a vital hub for the east of the river communities, but since April, it has experienced a renaissance under new management. Kia Wallace and Lasharn Monroe, longtime friends and business partners, have taken the reins, aiming to breathe new life into the storied venue.
The term ‘Chateau’ conjures images of grandeur — a term traditionally associated with elegant homes of the French nobility. While River Terrace’s Chateau Lounge doesn’t embody the classic aesthetic of such structures, it nonetheless stands as a central gathering point for surrounding neighborhoods, hosting countless celebrations and events throughout its history. If Chateau is likened to a grand estate, then founder Seresa Coleman was indeed the lord of the manor.
Seresa Coleman—affectionately known to friends and patrons as ‘Nut’—established Chateau in 1967, transforming it from the previously occupied Jumbo Food Store into a vibrant nightclub. Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, executive director of the African American Music Association, recalls Coleman both fondly and vividly. “He was very much a community person. Everyone knew Mr. Coleman. He used to host a cookout every summer in the parking lot next to Chateau,” she reflects.
Under Coleman’s guidance, Chateau became the premier venue for hand dancing—an intricate style reflective of the city’s rich cultural tapestry. This dance form, recognized as D.C.’s official dance by the City Council in 1999, garnered luminaries like former Mayor Vincent Gray, known to sneak in to enjoy the rhythms and revelry. Lindsay-Johnson notes the community connection: “On a Friday, he would sneak in, get his dance on, and sneak back out!”
But the appeal of Chateau extended beyond the dance floor. It served as a community square where River Terrace residents could bond over shared experiences, as illustrated by Michelle Hall, an author and historian who highlights the venue’s significance.
In 2019, Hall organized an informal skit at Chateau depicting the first Black family to integrate into the neighborhood after discriminatory covenants were struck down by the Supreme Court in 1948. Delving into history, she performed the role of Georgetta von Blasingame, facing adversity alongside her husband Maurice, who portrayed Odis. “We tried something new, added a little flavor to it,” she recalls.
When Coleman passed away in April 2016, the future of Chateau seemed uncertain. Shortly after his death, managers Tijuana Price-Salmon and Olivia Brown-Payton took the helm, rebranding it as Chateau Remix with a commitment to honor Coleman’s legacy. However, four years later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the venue’s closure, leaving its vibrant space dormant except for sporadic private functions.
The transition to new management came as Wallace and Monroe stepped in to revitalize Chateau Lounge. Monroe, a regular visitor for nearly 26 years, jumped at the opportunity when Kia was asked to assume management. “This was my to-go spot every Friday. When Kia was approached to take over, I was right on board,” Monroe shares. “After I was introduced to them, it flowed real fast from there. This is an opportunity for us to keep the legacy going.”
Both women come equipped with strong ties and understanding of the community’s hopes and needs, having previously organized back-to-school events that provided not only supplies but full haircuts for children. “We gave away 365 backpacks. We personally gave each kid a haircut. We fed everybody,” Monroe reminisces with a smile.
The interior of Chateau Lounge presents a canvas teeming with potential. Beyond the simple façade lies a complex of rooms and passageways, remnants of its varied history, providing ample space for innovative programming. Wallace has made strides to foster inclusivity, designating a dressing room for drag artists amid plans for LGBTQIA events, while Monroe enthuses about the kitchen, which they hope social media star chef Anthony Thomas will transform into the site of mesmerizing pop-up dinners.
The new management is determined to reevaluate the venue’s role in the community. With plans for game nights, movie screenings, Southern Soul performances, educational events, and meetings for local civic organizations like the River Terrace Community Organization, the Chateau Lounge is evolving into a multi-faceted space to support, entertain, and educate.
Wallace envisions a canvas for local visual artists, encouraging them to display their work on the Lounge’s walls, effectively transforming the space into a self-sustaining hub of creativity and support east of the Anacostia River. She is also pursuing certification as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE), allowing the Lounge to enhance its community impact while competing for District contracts and fostering neighborhood employment opportunities.
Anticipation looms around the redevelopment plans for the RFK Stadium site, with concerns about their potential impact on local employment. The initiative spearheaded by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Washington Commanders co-owner Josh Harris has raised eyebrows, especially regarding sustainable job creation for local residents. With backgrounds in construction, Wallace and Monroe grasp the opportunities that could arise and plan to utilize Chateau Lounge as a venue for skill-building sessions aimed at empowering the local workforce.
“We want the community to train here during the day and be hired to work at the RFK site,” Wallace asserts. “We want to use this venue to pay it forward.”
Monroe elaborates, “If the development takes place, people will already be certified and qualified to go and apply for jobs there. As a community member, you don’t have to go far to look for a job because job placements will be here. We’re more than just a venue for dancing. We want it to be known that we’re here to teach.”
In this way, Chateau Lounge is poised not just to continue its legacy but to redefine its role within the community, transforming from a simple nightlife spot into a hub for empowerment, creativity, and collaboration. The building at 3439 Benning Rd. NE is not just a venue; it’s a beacon of hope and a testament to resilience in the face of change.
image source from：washingtoncitypaper
