50 Best Bars in Alexandria

“Randomly found out about this place after having dinner with a friend at the sushi restaurant upstairs. It looked like a cute modernly decorated bar once we entered and it was. The music was GREAT, the bartenders were lovely and super attentive! The drinks had delicious interesting flavors and definitely gave you that kick you’re looking for after midnight. We got to sit at the bar to enjoy your cocktails.“

“We stopped by for a nightcap and were so glad we did. Whenever we travel, we seek out great craft cocktails and these did not disappoint. Loved the vibe. The cocktails were imaginative and well balanced. The service was outstanding. We did not have an opportunity to try the food, but look forward to visiting again for dinner. I highly recommend this wonderful, tiny, magical trip down the rabbit hole.“

“Really enjoyed drinks here! Cute spot hidden in plain sight. Cool entry ambiance, good vibes inside. Great and unique cocktails.

Only thing is that they seemed incredibly understaffed. The very kind host/waiter seemed incredibly overwhelmed and was virtually the only staff member we saw in the establishment. Note that they were at capacity, and we were early, so they didn’t let us in until at our reservation time and even a bit after.“

“Excellent curated cocktails.“

“Evening Star is always a nice option I treat myself to every couple of months. Service can be off sometimes, but the food is always above average in tastiness, freshness, and affordability compared to the other restaurants in Old Town/Del Ray. Something for everyone when it comes to options.“

“We had the portobello bao bun, pork dumpling, bbq duck, and little pot. Everything was delicious!“

“Places in strip malls really have to work extra hard to make people forget they're in a strip mall, and this place doesn't quite get there. Food was good, not fantastic. The concept of dishes from different cities is not new and gives the impression they're not really skilled at any one thing. (Also cheese curds are yellow, not white, I'm from Wisconsin.) Service was fine. Layout is a little weird, trying to be both a sports bar and a restaurant and it doesn't really have room for both. If I'm in the neighborhood again, would repeat. Won't specifically seek it out.“

“I don’t typically take the time to write reviews, but that was the best ribeye I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Highly recommend the surf and turf. Put Fort Worth to shame 10/10“

“My girlfriend and I had the same cocktail which was very tasty and the 1st on menu. We ordered the tots and got something very different than expected that she could not have and i thought was fair at best. However our entrees were great. I had a very tasty steak in a good salad and her burger was modified to her liking with a little input from staff. We sat at the bar and service was good despite it being one persons first shift there. Will go back and order off the great wine selection!!!“

“We shared the roast beef sandwich and home fries. It was delicious!“

“Good to come back six years later nothing has changed. Food is still phenomenal. Staff is still great. Bartenders are awesome. Can’t go wrong at this place. Glad to see it’s still open. I was around living in the DC area door grand opening grab the beagle sandwich“

“I was very impressed with Brabo. The drinks were very good and the food was excellent. The service was off the charts though! Exceptional service. This was for a wedding rehearsal dinner and they were very accommodating but just seemed to be naturally good at this type of event. Well done!“

“Revel is unparalleled in pairing high quality, differentiated, and delicious cuisine and drinks with attentive service, unique decor, and upscale ambience in an unpretentious, approachable, and welcoming neighborhood setting.“

“Didn’t get to try the food, but great drinks and atmosphere and Jake the bartender is very passionate and excellent at his craft. Recommend stopping in!“

“We had an outstanding experience at this Ethiopian restaurant. The servers were so nice and eager to show us their culture and cuisine. The food was absolutely delicious and came out quickly. I really enjoyed the music as well, it made for a fun atmosphere. This will be our go-to spot for Ethiopian food from now on!“

“Enjoyed my lunch. This is the cafe inside of whole foods that I spoke of in a previous review. Took pics today. The young lady that attended the cafe was very sweet. I asked her if she could change the TV station to the football game and she gladly obliged me. Cudos to Whole Foods for such an inviting place.“

“Combination of great food, ambience and hospitality. This is the place if you are looking for authentic Nepali food and fine dining experience. They have always amaze us with their menu selection options and the way menus are platted and garnished. I will highly recommend this place for dining with your friends and family.“

“Super fun place. I hope they keep the pop ups going.“

“Muy buen Lugar la comida fantástica y el cervicio excelente 👌 👏“

“Lo mejor de lo mejor 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“The culinary magic that Chef Gahn brings to Alexandria, VA. is a pure delight! The experience is more than just about food; it's about the joy of sharing a meal in a comfortable environment. Sitting in the dining room makes you feel like your in a cozy little kitchen with the front window wide open! (Really it's open!) The staff is extremely friendly and just a pure delight. From the zesty flavors of Thai Masala Fried Rice, Red, Green or Panang Curries to the comforting embrace of garlic butter chicken, each dish feels like a warm, culinary hug, handcrafted with love and served with a smile! If you're in the area, don't miss the chance to savor a taste of Thailand that will leave you smiling for days!“

“The food, drinks and service was top notch. Thank you for a great night.“

“Excellent service and food was great with large portions!“

“Always a great place to stop for food and drink.“

“Our first visit. Won’t be our last. Good to have this restaurant in our neighborhood. Rice and beans could have been warmer. Music just a tad loud. Difficult to have a conversation. Still will go back. Mushroom and Pork Belly tacos were delish.“

“The owners and staff are top notch. Fabulous food!!“

“Burger was a bit pink at the ends but it was still delicious. Fries were super salty though. But also delicious. Definitely try it out.“

“My daughter and I loved this place! Cozy, friendly atmosphere with great food and decent prices! We will definitely be returning!“

“I was looking for some quick to go on the road, they packed up multiple orders, made in 15 minutes or less, and I was able to get back on the road. Thank you so much and everything was delicious, with generous portions of the fajitas and sides! The chorizo scramble was very good as well.“

“Great customer service!! Treated the Alexandria Aces to a great meal. Awesome food and would highly recommend eating there.“

“Definite potential. Service is good and a nice atmosphere. I went here as my wife met with a friend for dinner. The place was close and looked promising so I checked it out. I started with fried green tomatoes, which were good but I think the batter wasn’t fully cooked through. But I would order again. For my main meal I had the Charleston chicken, which was a solid choice. Well priced, tasty, and filling. Finally, I closed my meal out with the key lime pie, which was great. Overall, I think this restaurant deserves your visit.“

“this is easily the best and most authentic Mexican food I've ever had in Alexandria. Everything is fresh and interesting and delicious. Go eat there now! 😀“

“Superb dining restaurant!“

“First, I love Rock It Grill.
And now, the list can begin.
As a visitor for the first time I knew that Rock It was home. I love karaoke. Upon entering, I was greeted by at least 3 people that worked there.
I found out by listening to the other patrons that they do karaoke there. I LOVE KARAOKE. So, as I sipped my drink and ate my wings (which were amazing) I noticed that I had less than an hour until I could be an American Idol, I was ready. There was a DJ there that was also doing a sound check so I knew Rock It Grill was where I needed to be.

Later on I found out that the employees were: Hana, Sherry, and DJ Speck Slim.

I've been a frequent and consistent customer since 2023. Thank you, Rock It Grill.“

“This continues to be the best little seminary pub in the world. The staff is excellent. The food is great. The people are all happy. I first told my wife I love her outside on what is now the patio. It's a very special place. If you're reading this you should go, have a blast, and tip lavishly.“

“You can't just walk up to the Front Porch and be seated. You first have to go to one of the sister restaurants next door, ask to be seated at the Front Porch, then they'll escort you back to the Front Porch. It's a little strange and we watched many succumb to this unnecessary back and forth.We all enjoyed our meals. The smash burgers were especially amazing! The menu felt a little limited in terms of selections, which is why two of us ended up choosing the burgers in the first place.All in all, a decent experience.“

“I ordered a plate of appetizer omg so good A very clean place they have fasts to serve your food and they have a buffet ready for lunch super delicious I recommend this place everything is very delicious (I ordered a plate of appetizer omg so good A very clean place they are quick to serve your food and they have a buffet ready for lunch super delicious I recommend this place very tasty everything)?“

“Good tacos and great pupusas (fresh, fast, handmade when you order) at this hispanic bar & grill. No crowd at noon on a Saturday when we visited. Waitress says they're busiest around 10pm on Fri & Sat nights for music, dancing & karaoke. We'll go back!“

“We have been loyal customers of Sam Phao Thai for years because they consistently serve the best Thai food in the Alexandria area. Our go-to dishes include the coconut shrimp, spring rolls, Panang curry, drunken noodles, and pineapple fried rice. Everything is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

One of the things we appreciated most was how well they handled special requests through delivery apps. This was especially important for us because my husband is allergic to shrimp, and his favorite dish—the pineapple fried rice—comes with shrimp by default. They always took the time to accommodate that, which made it easy and stress-free to order from them regularly.

Unfortunately, they recently stopped allowing special requests through delivery apps, which has made it harder for us to order safely. As a result, we’ve had to branch out and try other places.

We still love the food and hope they consider bringing back the option for special requests. It made a big difference for families like ours“

“The staff is fantastic. Steve & Kendall gave great customer service“

“Food is nice 👍 and friendly staff as well no negative comments“

“Great place for outdoor pizza and a cocktail while watching plans land and sailboats pass. Pizza is above average, good beer selection, two frozen drink options (one non-alcoholic!).

Highly recommend. Can get crowded on the weekends, but it’s usually fairly easy to find a spot to sit (sometimes hard to find a shady spot!)“

“Chips cold but not stale. Salsa good; not too watery. Queso okay, served steaming hot (most likely microwaved).

Margaritas good, quesa birria tacos good, flan good.

Definitely better than some other places in the area. I would eat here again.“

“Great stop to dance a little. Beers are not crazy expensive. I got pique macho which I'm not usually a fan of but their steak is amazingly soft and tender. I definitely recommend that. The dance floor gets tight but usually everywhere else is the same. Service was ok just not as attentive as I'd expect.“

“Excellent food; great variety!“

“Came here for drinks last night and had a pleasant experience overall. My only complaints are the stairs leading to the bathroom downstairs are pretty slippery & there’s not much bar seating/that area in general is really cramped.

Vegetarian options: Yes

Dietary restrictions: Yes

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes but bathrooms are downstairs“

“Cool as spot coming across the bridge for the first time“

“As soon as we walked in, the bartenders waved us to the bar like we were old friends and were so friendly. We came at 10pm on a Friday night and didn’t know they have one side of the restaurant as a club so be warned it gets very loud because of the music. We didn’t care but I know some people may find the info useful. We got the steak fajitas and ceviche and the steak was some of the best I’ve ever had. The ceviche was really good but super spicy and a lot of lemon. We had a good laugh at the guys singing karaoke and everyone included us in the shenanigans! If you want a fun night out, try this place. If you want a quiet peaceful dinner, maybe try to dine at an earlier hour.“

“LOVE this restaurant! Stopped in last evening for dinner and enjoyed the Oysters,Oysters,Oysters off the restaurant week menu! The fried and grilled oysters were perfection and the raw oysters were fresh and DELISH! We stick to appetizers on this visit, after the oyster feast we moved on to the peel and eat shrimp, perfectly cooked and seasoned with Old Bay and the Mussels in the spicy broth! Do yourself a favor and get extra bread to dip in the broth, you won’t be sorry! We didn’t have them on this visit, but one of the must try’s in my opinion is the Lobster Poutine! AMAZING! The amount of lobster in this dish at the price point of under $20 is OUTRAGEOUS in the very best sense of the word! The whiskey offerings at this establishment are some of the best that I have seen. I literally discovered one of very favorite bourbons here, Jefferson’s Ocean! The selections range from your basic line up, interesting new finds and hard to get must try’s. The man behind this whiskey magic is Edward, the bartender/manager. Edward is knowledgeable and loves to talk about his offerings, so don’t be shy, ask questions and be prepared to learn a little something! We have enjoyed everything from their brunch offerings, seafood and burgers! Wine to whiskey and everything in between and have never been disappointed! We recently moved, and now have to brave 45 minutes of Beltway traffic (and that’s on a good day as we all know..lol) to get to this spot. So if you good food, attentive service and an amazing selection of whiskey are your thing, trust me when I tell you this is the place for you!“

“Service was good and so was the food. Great little place to stop in and have lunch or dinner, safe environment too.“