harm.less

When it comes to the bar scene, chicken wings, bacon cheeseburgers and beer made with fish bladders are way more common than their cruelty-free counterparts. In Washington, DC, however, advocate Michael L. Farmer is trying to create a new concept that’s all about uniting these (seemingly) disparate worlds: dive bars and a vegan lifestyle.

Farmer is working on raising money via Indiegogo to get the gothic/punk vegan dive bar (dubbed The Living End) off the ground, and he needs the support of brew-loving vegans to make it happen. He’s looking to raise $30,000 by May 5th, and he’s at five percent of his goal with 31 days to go.

Farmer has big plans for the saloon, including an extensive menu of vegan food and drink, plus thematic tunes and a sustainable business model.

The vegan dive bar will serve cruelty-free beer, primarily locally brewed and all through a tap system like the Growler systems some bars currently use (so no wasteful bottles). It’ll also have a full bar stocked with vegan liquor.

As far as food, The Living End will feature a lineup of classic dishes from across the globe. Think poutine from Canada, beer-battered tofu fish and chips from the UK, hibiscus tacos from Mexico, jackfruit BBQ sandwiches from the U.S. and a weekend brunch with a full English breakfast and “the best bloody marys in the city,” Farmer says.

Despite its goth theme, the vegan dive bar will be designed to feel warm, welcoming and relaxed.

“It may have a very dark theme, but that’s to make the place unique and add to the fun,” he explains. “It’s been an unfortunate misconception that people won’t be able to take their kids to The Living End, but I want everyone to be able to come and get a good vegan meal.”

Of course, past a certain point at night it has to be 21 and over, but “I especially look forward to families coming in on the weekend for a fantastic brunch,” Farmer says.

“I do intend to play punk and industrial over the sound system, and as well have occasional nights with an all Tom Waits or The Smiths playlist. I hope to find a place large enough to host concerts, and have space for non-profits to hold events.”

So where in DC will The Living End be located? “I’ve had many potential locations, but since I’ve yet to raise the necessary funds, they’ve been rented from beneath me. I’m hoping to open in Pleasant Plains/Petworth area. I really want to open where I’ll be able to serve a community,” says Farmer.

As far as an ETA for opening, his target is this year, but realistically it might be closer to 2016, he adds.

“Through working two jobs and an aggressive savings plan I’ve managed to put away over half my goal, and we’ll see what happens with my IndieGoGo campaign. But so many other moving parts need to be in sync before I can, for sure, quit my defense contracting job to do this full time. Like so many other vegans I’ve met, once you become vegan you just want get out there and do your part in changing the world.”

If you’d like to support Farmer’s vegan dive bar, visit The Living End Indiegogo campaign page and donate today.

Follow Latest Vegan News on Facebook, on Twitter @LatestVeganNews, and Google+ .