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North Highland Avenue bar Diesel Filling Station closed after 13 years in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. A source with knowledge of the closure tells Eater the bar’s last day of service was on New Year’s Eve, following a private party there. Both Google and Yelp also list Diesel Filling Station as closed and the bar’s website is no longer online.
According to the source, the landlord did not renew the lease on the building.
Justin Haynie opened Diesel in 2008, transforming the former Dish restaurant space into a divey neighborhood sports bar known for its subs and cheeseburger, loaded fries, and “Death Muffin” served during brunch. The building, once home to a gas station at the corner of North Highland and Drewry Street, can also be seen in an episode of the TV series The Walking Dead.
The bar was listed for sale in September 2021, but remained open through the end of the year. As of publication, the building is still listed for sale by the Shumacher Group. Speculation among some neighborhood residents includes the building and land possibly being slated for redevelopment.
Virginia-Highland has seen a resurgence in its dining scene over the last two years with new restaurants opening in the neighborhood, including Pielands pizzeria, Kinship Butcher and Sundries, Farm Burger, Doughnut Dollies, and Perc coffee shop. But, the dining scene here continues to be anchored by and draw crowds to neighborhood stalwarts like Murphy’s, Highland Tap, Fontaine’s Oyster House, Atkins Park, La Tavola, and Moe’s and Joe’s.
870 North Highland Avenue.
