31 Best Cocktail Bars in Alexandria

“The service and food were absolutely wonderful! First time visiting but definitely not the last! The salmon avocado toast was a smash! It was so pretty I almost didn’t want to eat it but I did of course!“

“From the moment we stepped through the doors of Jula's on the Potomac, we knew we were in for a special experience. Everyone's dish was a masterstroke. From start to finish, Jula's on the Potomac delivered an experience that was thoughtful, refined, and full of heart. It’s the kind of place that turns a dinner into a memory. Five stars without hesitation. My wife will never forget her 50th Birthday celebration brunch. Bishop Avery Kinney Sr. will be back—and bringing everyone he knows. It was worth the drive from Richmond. ❤💯“

“We ordered take out from this place so I can’t really review the service or atmosphere as fairly but I’m going to give it 5 stars since the place looked good unlike other Thai places near by and the host Kelly was really friendly. The food however was really good. Really tasty, good quality ingredients and lots of quantity. Would go back there for sure“

“The Sea Bass was a total suprise. More often than not I am dissapointed when I order fish. Not the case here. The presentation was superb. The blend of flavors, textures and colors was an epicurean delight. Our waiter/bartender Damany was thoughtful, always on point without being intrusive. The whole experience was one worth repeating.“

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

“Loved this place. The atmosphere is cozy and whimsical. We had the steak salad, salmon, Brussels sprouts, and chive dumplings - all were fantastic. The cocktails were also on point. Would recommend if you’re in the area. Make a reservation in advance as the location is small.“

“Truly a hiddent jewel south of Old Town Alexandria. If I had been blindfolded and didn't know that I entered the establishment via the parking lot of Belle View Shopping Center I would have thought I was in an upscaled restaurant in downtown DC. This has become our favorite date night spot. Delicious food options and creative cocktails along with exceptional service (Brett) made our evening one to remember. I love a well made Old Fashioned and I wasn't disappointed. The secret ingredient of the quarter branch apple brandy took it to next level. We are looking forward to our next date night already!“

“Love this place! Dinner is always 10/10 but service, we had Alena or elena and she was just the sweetest young lady and she knows was shes doing, and she was honest too with her recommendations! We always have a tuna and oysters! Then steak this time we shared the cowboy ribeye and added scallops which by the way is not on the menu but elena said they could do it and it was delicious!! 5 star service“

“Excellent service. They made our valentines day. We took a chance and dropped in hoping for a seat at the bar which initially looked like it wouldn't happen. Timing and a great manager and hostess made it happen. Takoyaki and dumplings were superb. We loved the lychee martinis. The speakeasy vibe downstairs is quaint and welcoming. We definitely plan to come back. Thankyou for the wonderful memory. 💖“

“Juan Ramirez and his team, including our server Kevin, made my dad's 80th birthday celebration our best yet! With my dad's birthday falling on Valentine's, I reached out to Bastille months in advance to accommodate our large party - and they were happy to coordinate with me, and made sure our space was accessibility-friendly. We've eaten at Bastille many times, and this meal was extraordinary (cheers chef!)! We all left the table satiated in body and soul. Thanks for a memorable event for our entire family, Juan! We look forward to the next one.“

“Update 2025:

Sooooo great!!!!! Has only improved since we had to move. New setup is incredible and drinks have surpassed the original menus leaps and bounds! GO HERE!

Sets the bar by which we measure all cocktails. Never disappointed, each menu always multiple amazing options. I can count on my hands the number of times i have got a cocktail someplace else and NOT been totally disappointed in comparison.

Ambience is brilliant, lively but not too loyd. Brilliant date night. Service is always wonderful and light bites are incredible.

Brussel sprouts are the best around and the pork belly is beyond amazing.“

“My husband and I had dinner on a quiet Wednesday evening. We shared guacamole which was very good with some unusual little additions. My husband had the beef steak and loved it. Again unusual ingredients made the dish very delicious. I had the pork which I had enjoyed a year ago and again I loved it! The service was very attentive. The chef came out so we could tell her in person how much we loved it all!“

“Kinda pricey for the jerk chicken taco 🌮. one for $4.50“

“We were three girls dining on New Year’s Eve, and the experience was fantastic. We ordered tofu makhni, chicken tikka masala, and another dish based on our server’s recommendation—and every dish was flavorful and absolutely delicious.

What really impressed us was the service. We noticed that our server was also handling bartending duties, yet he was incredibly patient, attentive, and kind throughout the evening. Even with the heavy New Year’s Eve rush, he took the time to help us choose dishes, answered our questions, and offered great recommendations. He never made us feel rushed and made sure we were enjoying everything.

Balancing both roles so smoothly while still providing such excellent service truly stood out. Great food and outstanding service made our night memorable. Highly recommended—we’ll definitely be back!“

“This place was such a delightful discovery! The attentive care by the owner and staff made us feel welcomed and at home. And the food was so good! Truly fantastic. We had the grilled tilapia with bantu and okra soup with fufu. We were super grateful for water and bowl at our table to wash our hands before and after the meal, too. We'll definitely be back.“

“Excellent curated cocktails.“

“One of my favorite places to go when I visit. Food is great quality, good prices and staff are amazing.“

“Amazing smiles and service! Best tacos in town! Great prices too!“

“We go frequently. Love this place and of course tonight did not disappoint! Absolutely delicious. The baked pasta special and my go to gnocchi along with the best Caesar salad always yummy bread snd fantastic tiramisu made for an awesome dinner and night out. Also yummy refreshing cocktails!“

“Super cool! Cocktails are awesome and the service was top notch!! Just happened to wander in yesterday, what a find“

“Service:
This was our first time visiting Old Town Alexandria, and while we originally had another restaurant in mind, Vola’s won us over with its waterfront location and inviting menu. We were told the wait would be 25 minutes, but we were seated in just 15, already a great start. The staff was warm, friendly, and helpful with recommendations throughout the meal, making us feel right at home.

Taste:
We started with the crab hush puppies and oysters, both were so flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and reasonably priced. For our main course, we had the shrimp and grits and the fish and chips. Both dishes were fresh, satisfying, and generously portioned. Every bite was devoured. The drink of the night was a summer Prosecco and passion fruit special, light, refreshing, and delicious. The best part? The refill was cheaper. More restaurants should definitely take notes on that.

Ambiance:
Vola’s has the perfect laid-back yet elevated waterfront vibe. The view of the water, paired with a lively but not overwhelming crowd, made for a relaxed and memorable evening. It’s great for first-timers to Old Town, date nights, or a dinner out with friends.

Overall Review:
Vola’s was a pleasant surprise and a spot we’ll definitely be revisiting. From the quick seating and great service to the flavorful food and creative drinks, everything hit the mark. Highly recommend if you’re in the area, you’ll want to come back too.“

“The seasonal coffees are the best :)“

“I was invited to a birthday party at Havana 151. The vibes were vybing. The decor so cute and the atmosphere had me feeling I was in Cuba. There was a trio there playing live, setting the mood. We just had to get up and dance while we waited for our food. I guess people didn’t realize the open walk space was wide enough for dancing and for people to walk by. Other guests joined us in dancing. Talk about fun times! It’s a good thing we danced before eating because I was trying everybody’s food. Yes, it was temporarily big-back season. I tried the Birria tacos, Chicken Rustica, Lasagna, Grilled Chicken Alfredo, and Cesar Salad. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Sangria was also spot-on. Fun times were had. Great dining spot in Alexandria!“

“You can spend good time with friends Highly recommended“

“Gene was an awesome job! Food was great. I can't wait to bring my family back.“

“We live right by Mason Social so I’m not sure why we aren’t here all the time. Our server/bartender Trish should always pick the music. Killer kale salad and great (surprise!) 50% off wine bottles on Wednesday! Will be back“

“Let’s just say I’m glad I asked for extra pepperoni.“

“met some family members this morning for brunch. was seated almost immediately....there was a minor 'glitch' that was had that got the Mgr on duty, (Eric) involved. Eric was Extremely nice and accommodating. We will be returning.....Thank you Eric and staff !“

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

“I was referred by a friend, so this was my first time. All the food was good, but I’m not use to shrimp fried rice, where you can hardly see the shrimp, it was little pieces, same thing with the Mei Fun chicken, hardly any chicken just noodles and a little vegetables.. The chicken and broccoli were fine and the General Tao Chicken was good.“

“Food was good. Staff was friendly. Prices are reasonable. I’d come back.“