First Street Tavern — Restaurant in Rockville

Not sure where the 5 star reviews, (not 3s or 4s, but 5s!), are coming from - rather suspect. Been going to Jonathan's for decades as a great spot for locals & teams, and have made many friends there. We went for the first time this season since it was bought and reopened as First Street Tavern and were beyond disappointed. The empty parking lot should have been a tip off. The large back room, which could seat several softball/volleyball teams at tables & couples/families at booths, (plus 2 large TVs to watch sports), now has 2 pool tables & pew-like benches against the walls - maybe one small 4 person table & a 2 person table. NOWHERE else to sit and eat or drink back there! Our team of 8 had to take the only 2 (high top) tables in the bar area, and the subsequent groups came & walked out due to no seating. With Lydia & Marco gone from the kitchen, the new menu dropped the grilled chicken, (Caesar, pita sandwiches, brochette), Jonathan's was known for. The new chicken Caesar was abysmal - chunky chicken on iceberg lettuce shreds, taco meat on salad was dry and burned, the burgers were good but 30% smaller. THEY RAN OUT OF TAP BEER AFTER ONE PITCHER .. only had a sweet mango beer. Drink orders took 20 minutes, (Veronica was off that night), water for all came 40min later after repeated requests, and that was a pitcher for 8 of us. Maybe pool & karaoke works, (back room was empty), but how this place can survive without seating is beyond me. I left a very generous tip out of pity. Really sad to see this bar lose so many established patrons. We will...

Been going to Jonathan's for a few years now, and am liking that there is new energy in the place to breathe some new life into it.

Approve of the new shortened menu and the Asian offerings. Had the burger and I really enjoyed it. I'm liking that the new owners are trying new things and putting their own tasteful spin on the place, which is a daunting task.

Some odd nitpicks...

I came in to First Street on a 96 degree day, with no air conditioning turned on. While I think it was a decision to save some money, I think the comfort of your patrons are the primary concern, as that's where your money comes from. Turn on the AC! People want a comfortable escape to drink.

Updated review: revisited and the vibe is great, feels like new life injected to an old place. Still a bit warm on the inside, but it's not...

Welcoming, very affordable, excellent steak & cheese. An easy place to be. Great happy hour deals. I am excited to try more of the new menu offerings. AC is always on blast for you on hot days. There's a lot of noise online from a minority of regulars about the recent change in ownership - I'm guessing these are probably the same people who get upset when their grocery store rearranges the milk shelves. The character of the bar is very much the same - and now there's also pool in the back, and karaoke nights.

Update: the popcorn chicken is so good and such a good deal! I like this place more...