Look, this place is what it is. If the name "Downtown Saloon" and the dozen or so motorcycles and guys hanging out in their leathers outside don't clue you in as to what type of establishment this is... that's on you, my friend. If you're looking for craft cocktails and a list of beers a mile long to show off on your instagram, I have great news for you - there are a ton of places on and off King Street that can accommodate you. This is not one of them. This is bud light, salty-ass french fries (that are actually SO good), loud music, maybe a fight between two chicks over that scraggly looking guy with the patch on his vest (no, not that one, the one next to him with the tat on his neck), cigarette smoke in the air, bras hanging from the ceiling, is that your mom in the corner hammered and scream-singing Skynyrd?, the bartender is not trying to be your friend so quit acting put out because they're not chatting you up the quality of various strains of hops, and THE BEST KARAOKE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. And seriously... it is 100% the best karaoke ever. Rowdy, glorious, and worth the trip out on a Friday night. I read some of the other reviews on here, and the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I do agree with some of the other comments about some of the experiences people have had with other patrons. I've had to tell an old man off more than a few times for having a loose tongue, and while I've never personally seen anyone of color or members of our LGBTQ community being treated differently (in fact, there are several regulars who may fit one or many of those identities), I wont discount their experiences. Sometimes the crowd can definitely be rough around the edges. Sometimes that roughness is part of the charm of this place, but not if we're talking about people behaving in a racist or homophobic manner - if that happened to you, I'm sorry. That sucks. Again, I've never seen it and only had great experiences in a very welcoming and judge-free environment, but I'm also a white girl living in the suburbs, so what the hell do I know? At the end of the day, if dive bars and epic karaoke are your thing, this place may have helped to write the book on them. I'm a fan. read more

This place is very much an old timey saloon biker bar type vibes. It's one of the few places left that allows smoking inside which was surprising, a little dirty, not gonna lie, but AMAZING FOOD!! Nice lady bartender and it's a good spot to play pool. My husband and I loved it, we had some drinks, played pool, and shared some appetizers. Jalapeño poppers with ranch & wings with the "saloons way" sauce was amazing! Like a Mesquite BBQ flavor. We will definitely be back again. read more

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Awesome old school dive, meant in the best possible way. Comfortable atmosphere, bartenders are always nice, and you can smoke cigars.

This place is legit. Karaoke with Michelle is a great experience. Came in from out of state and will definitely be coming back!

Such a great experience with Michelle. Karaoke was so much fun!! Our group loved it! We are not from Virginia but will come back

Great environment! I am from California and the people there were so welcoming and accepting of us, had a wonderful time with everyone there, for sure worth a visit!! read more

Best bar in all of Leesburg. Great staff, friendly people and atmosphere. The food is what you'd expect from a local watering hole, reasonably priced and delicious. Relaxed dress code, tuxedo to pajamas. Music for everyone's tastes. Clean bathrooms. read more

A great friendly atmosphere with great bartenders! I highly recommend ! Sasan Brooke read more

Every town has a hole in the wall bar and this is Leesburg's. I loved it! I went there knowing they had pool tables and we enjoyed playing there very much. It's an upbeat cool crowd with a lot of smiling faces. It's pretty noisy so be prepared if you are in the bar area. Great spot! Yes read more

First time I've seen an ash tray on my table in nearly 10 years. First time I've eaten a meal while the patrons to my left and right where smoking (inside the restaurant at the table and at the bar) cigarettes. Not sure what the deal is but on Saturday April23,2022 it was perfectly acceptable to smoke inside this place. I thought smoking was banned in all indoor public places in VA. Staff was very friendly. Food was ok, price was reasonable. Music was junkbox and decor was old school southern eclectic. If you are a smoker you will like this place. read more

The weekend was full of fun and entertainment as the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival took place. The weather was absolutely amazing this year. During my Sunday afternoon escapades, I decide to stop in for some food and coffee. The bartender was 5 star for her great personality, service and welcoming smile. The food was good. The herb whiskey is worth a try. You are able to smoke within the bar area. Exceptions are also made to bring your dog in to eat with you. Awesome. read more

Downtown Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Leesburg, Virginia

This is an excellent hometown bar and grill. The staff is friendly and the regulars are great people. The burgers are great but better if your here for lunch. Staffing is tight due to COVID. But the staff is excellent. I especially like Brooke and Lisa. We love Tyler and Tina too. This is a great place to have a drink. read more

Only good bar left in loudoun county. Friendly employees, cheap drinks and good food!

Best dive bar in town :) burgers and wings are incredible and the beer is always cold and cheap.

Stopped in this place today for driinks and a bite to eat, as I like to frequent biker bars where I travel. Needless to say the food was mediocre at best. Beer is beer and the prices are what they are these days, But the worst was when I seen a mouse running across the floor. I never could understand why people just cant keep their restaurants clean and pest free. But after watching the staff, I can see why, the waitress picking her nose when she thought no one was watching. Not sure why the place is allowed in a historic town. But I will never go there again! read more

My boyfriend and I frequent this place whenever we're in downtown leesburg. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I'd recommend trying their bbq over anything else. You won't regret it. Its definitely a southern bar that cherishes its history without regrets. The crowd can get rowdy at times, but mostly its super chill. Don't visit if you're easily offended. Hats off to Scott, Tina, and the rest of the crew! read more

We have been coming here off and on for years now. Not frequently enough to hear "NORM" as we walk in but often enough. We have always had good service and the food is your typical bar food but good just the same. read more

Downtown Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Leesburg, Virginia

The interesting sounding menu items and positive Yelp reviews lured us in on a rainy Saturday afternoon, and we weren't disappointed. I ordered the chili with large salad. When our server took my order, I was confused that she asked if I wanted a side or large salad since the menu description said large...I don't know if I answered her question, and if my salad was the large size but no biggie because I was impressed that my salad had dark greens and different colored vegetables, not just iceberg lettuce and some cucumbers. For mid-afternoon, and only one employee serving as bartender/waitstaff, we got our food quickly. She was really sweet, and came by to check on us a couple times. When we got our bill, my friend hadn't finished all her food, and our server asked my friend twice if she was sure she didn't want a doggy bag. Yummy, and friendly service. read more

Downtown Saloon - Chili, tortilla chips and salad with choice of dressing - Dive Bars Near Me - Leesburg, Virginia

A genuine Biker bar. Can't help but love this place and you will feel welcome. Friendly, and great customers and staff. Motorsickles galore. Reasonably good food and drink at reasonably good prices. Always excellent service and friendly customers. read more

Service was fine, but they had a sign that said, "Uncle Sam wants you to speak English." Like we aren't a country of immigrants with no official language...very unpatriotic, if you ask me. But if you enjoy unsolicited racism, I guess that's a place you can go. End of review. read more

I get it, it is a dive bar. The bar tender was friendly but the patrons were less than okay with myself, cousin, and brothers coming in. I never felt so uncomfortable in a place before. We played pool which was cheap and good, but the atmosphere of smoke, judgement, and grunge will deter us from returning. read more

My work crew and I popped in while walking downtown Leesburg. $6 Wing Tuesday!!! My husband and I each had a beer and 10 wings for $20! The wings were surprisingly delicious, cooked perfectly (requested well done) and sauced just enough for the flavor but still had crunch. The beer was nice and cold. Only thing is they do smoke indoors which is a bummer for people with asthma, maybe just get to go lol! read more

If bikers wrote reviews this place would have10 stars. I have ridden by many a time and always stopped in for a beer and a platter of jalapeno poppers (not for the feint of heart) before heading east. I have picked up women here and even been picked up by a few (literally). This is the place to admire rides, tell lies and take the edge off. Across from the county courthouse; "better here than across the street" the saying goes. Having spent time in both, I try to stick with the saloon. Be forwarned: a weaving bike in Leesburg will guarantee a visit to the pokey. read more

Love the vibe. Love the folks here. But -- from someone who is allergic to smoke -- this place will forever be off-limits. The front of the bar is a free for all -- heavy, thick smoke fills the place. The back room is supposed to be "non-smoking," but it is attached to the front room. There is no division. And not only does the smoke from the front waft through here, but they don't re-enforce the non-smoking section. So smokers can be found in the front AND back. Too bad. Fun place. read more

I don't know what it is, but I love a dive bar. Unpretentious, generally nice people just looking to relax and have some fun. This place brings back some memories of dives I visited in OH when visiting the in-laws although it's certainly a step up from most of those. This is a biker bar. Smoking is allowed which is not my preference, but it is what it is. They support veterans - in fact they are having a fundraising event with live music on April 11 to benefit the Yellow Ribbon Fund. The décor is fun and interesting - we stopped by on a Saturday afternoon with family for a beer. It was not crowded at all so we wandered from table to table - each seemed to have a different theme with the various medals/jewels varnished to the top. An assortment of bras hanging from the ceiling at one corner of the bar, various comical signs throughout, flags and pool tables in the back. The beer was cold, the bartender was friendly and we enjoyed our visit. It's not fancy, but it's not meant to be. We did not try any food this visit, but I hear it's decent bar fare. read more

I was not impressed when I went into this bar because the music was stuck on a singular genre and I did not like the fact that people were allowed to smoke. The decor was pretty divey, which I suppose was to be expected, and the bar did have confederate memorabilia which was off putting. My only wish was that there wasn't smoking and the music had more diversity. read more

Great atmosphere. Solid food. Fun local bar with a lot of character. Has a solid menu with BBQ and homemade pizza as well as burgers and sandwiches. The only reason it's not a five star is they still allowing smoking in the bar. read more

It's a saloon! A bit smokey but the beer was cold and food was good. The service was on point. It's a great stop after a day ride on the bike. Not the best for the kids. read more

I'm sure it's a great place if you are a regular...BUT...We stopped in intending to grab a couple beers (we finished with a wedding nearby). I had to use the restroom as soon as I got the there. Patrons seemed nice-ish but since I got out of a wedding, I was clearly overdressed. I used the restroom and was trying to find my couple of friends (two girls and one guy) after I finished. I get closer to the door and turn around looking for them, there's a bald dude with a redneck-ass "beard" (I'm from Texas by the way so I can say that) waving goodbye at me while looking for my friends. I have no idea what's going on, and he tells me my friends are outside, still waving like a pretentious asshole. All we wanted to do was grab a beer or two without being beraded and condescended to because we were wearing suits/dresses. Cant say much about the employees, I'm sure they're nice since they want business, but the people that go there, for the most part, were absolute trash. read more

IMHO, all the whiners on here about the smoke levels don't really understand the essence of a dive bar. There are no restrictions here and it is the most enjoyable place to go out with friends that I have found yet in Northern Virginia. The bartenders don't have TIME to talk, the place is so packed they are constantly moving, but it has never taken more than a couple minutes for me to get a drink order, and even with a packed house, food comes out in like 10 minutes. The atmosphere and the clientele are a huge part of what makes this bar what it is. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is welcome here. I've actually had moments where one of the older men (not a regular, of course) had one too many and started getting two handsy with me and a couple girlfriends who were there and the regulars are NOT shy about stepping in and making sure EVERYONE is treated with respect. This is definitely not your regular establishment, if you start going there frequently, you become part of the family, and the karaoke night is phenomenal. Michelle is the DJ there on Friday nights, and her demeanor and attitude are the reason people make the trip out to this bar (the cheap drinks are just a perk!) For the reviewers who whined about the karaoke, I imagine they didn't stay for more than 20-30 minutes because some of the singers there are so talented I am not sure why they are doing Friday night karaoke and not performing in a band somewhere. One of my favorite places, hands down, and I will definitely be returning. read more

There's nothing like a good biker bar after a long hot ride....keep the food selections simple, the pulled pork and burgers were top rate. Our waitress/bartender was a hot shit, she was funny and friendly, the beer was cold and the music was great! read more

Downtown Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Leesburg, Virginia

This place has great food and the coldest beer in Loudoun County. Most people look in and see a dive bar, which it is, but it is a friendly bar. The bartenders are great people and very friendly. Did I mention their Wings?? They are the best. Would totally recommend this Leesburg Landmark. read more

After watching the holiday parade, my son wanted to grab a drink and so we headed to Paynes, on a Saturday night. Paynes Biker Bar has been in Leesburg since before I was born.... and it is a dive. Ain't nothin' fancy going on in there. But the service was good and people are friendly. I have eaten in there before (years ago) but didn't last night. There was live music, a tiny dance floor, a billards table or two in the back. It is a biker bar... looks a bit like the things you see in movies. Bikes out front, people inside with tattoos, grey hair in pony tails, beards, jeans, harley shirts, & leather jackets. But unlike the impression you might get while watching a movie, there's nothing "dangerous" or "scary" going on in here. I was not worried, watching my back or thinking a fight would break out at any time. I say this because I know here in Loudoun, people can be a bit snooty and I want you to know that this IS a biker bar, but it is also Loudoun... Leesburg in fact. You might be shocked at the CEOs, lawyers and doctors that take off their suits on the weekends and throw on the leather. But they are the same exact people. While I don't ride, tons of people I know & love do; and of course I can't go anywhere in Leesburg without running into people I know. So there ya have it. Before too long we were invited upstairs to a private party of a biker club. I don't frequent bars. I don't ride. Most people would never expect to see me in a biker bar. But there is something about Paynes... It's hard NOT to feel comfortable there. And as long as this place has been here, I hope it stays forever. It just won't be Leesburg without Paynes. read more

Tonight, I visited the venue with a gay friend. While we visited the venue, two male bar attendees made the gay male customer feel uncomfortable by questioning his choice of jackets by asking him if he'd purchased his clothes at a secondhand store. It's worth nothing that he was the only obviously gay person in our party, and was the only person singled out. They bumped their chests into him and pushed fists into his face as a part of this intimidation. When I confronted the bar mgmt about it, they insisted that they'd remove any patrons exhibiting that behavior. It's deeply inappropriate in a culture as accepting and as multicultural as Loudoun County, and resulted in us relocating to a more accepting venue, Tarbenders. I hope that we, as Loudoun County residents, choose to include our diversity populations the same way that they do. Ultimately, I realize that a bar can't control every patron's behavior. At the same time, I would love to count this venue among the LGBTQ allies of Loudoun County, and encourage them to identify themselves as such. read more

Love the relaxed atmosphere. There aren't too many places like this left in Northern Virginia. It's definitely not trendy or gimmicky. It's a bar. Perfect place to have a few beers and chill out. Good bar food and great staff. read more

Downtown Saloon - a group of people sitting at a bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Leesburg, Virginia

Service was friendly, basic food and drink, but more than a few questionable things on the walls. There's some odd sexist sayings on their signs -- stuff like "if you don't want your critters to get pet then don't show them like a petting zoo". If they don't like your songs on the jukebox they skip them with a remote.... Also, more importantly, there are a few confederate flags here and there. My non-white friends just didn't feel comfortable here. read more

This is a Dive Bar. With that said, a better reference for this place would be a Southern public house. As a New Yorker visiting family in the area, I've had the opportunity to visit here many times. Old school country music, hilarious bartenders, friendly locals, fried food and all the comforts of home. Heck, they got a piano in the back if suddenly a blues trio walks in the door and wants to freestyle some tunes. Cold beer served in mason jars, shots served in real big ass snifter glasses like it's the Wild West. I understand some of the bad reviews, if you want a French 75 martini and a bread basket - go up the block. If you want to sit at the bar or the amazingly comfy leather booths in the back with a good drink - this is the place. Come here with a sense of community and humor, and this place will meet you more than half way with great drinks, extremely reasonable prices, a great staff along with friendly neighbors. Man 'I love this Bar!'. read more

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I do enjoy this place, but thought I would share a nice experience I had there the other day. There was a family stopped in for a little food, and at one point, a boy, 13 or so who appeared to have some type of autism, or another functional disability was walking around carelessly and "bumped" into a bigger, older "Harley" looking guy. He was really nervous and apologized to the man, and the man turned to him and as the boy expected to get scolded, he actually shook his hand, and explained that he didn't need to apologize for anything, there was no problem, and the "Harley guy" (who in fact was the owner), thanked the kid and the family for coming in and told them if they needed anything just to let him know. (He was NOT working at the time, but rather enjoying the bar like everyone else). This is a great establishment and one of the unique, great places to go in Leesburg. As intimating as this place may seem from the outside, it is probably the most welcoming place in all of Northern Virginia. It is "everyone friendly". read more

The best thing about this place is karaoke on Tuesday and Friday nights. Other than that this place is dirty, broken, way too smokey and there is one bathroom for each sex. The bartender looks like she forgot how to smile and speaks as little as possible. She also made me pull out my ID for chicken wings which was unnecessary. read more

Not everyone's shot of whiskey in this case. Great place! Attentively known as Payne's Biker Bar! Directly across the court house, Leesburg staple with deep roots. Window neon reading, Better off here then across the street. Bids question to passers-by alike. Enjoying good-ol boys not forgotten and rural feel. From the back booth, a step from bustle of the city life taking control of a once small town while decades old school mates play billiards. Making itself from time honored tradition and now alternative bar necessary competing with local demand of "craft beer". It's more casual link to the environment. It's exactly what people need now and then and most everyone will welcome you. read more