Jay is the best bartender at the Harbor - and this isn't up for debate!…read more My friends and I came here randomly after visiting another bar in the area and this should've actually been the first stop! The only thing we (our group of about 6) did not experience here, was the food (the reason why I didn't want to give 5-stars). But if we're talking about entertainment and overall drink-vibe, The Irish Whisper is a cool spot. Aesthetically, it doesn't really match the rest of the surrounding area (if you're familiar - this restaurant is a lot darker and smaller than others) but for a fight night, game night, "I just want to sit at the bar" night, might sure you find Jay, and then have a seat!

Closed indefinitely in early January 2026 according to a sign on the door. Website and social media…read morehave not yet been updated reflecting these changes.

I'm not usually an oyster fan, but my associate highly recommended that I try the grilled oysters…read more I have to admit -- they did not disappoint. My associate also loved the tacos. He barely seemed to take a breath between bites. The star of the show, though... the fish and chips. Baby, YUM. They complemented each other perfectly -- the chips were fried to perfection, and so was the fish. The spiked hot chocolate was okay, but I'm weird about eating hot food and drinking a hot beverage at the same time. My Arnold Palmer was mid. The bread pudding was good, though I should have ordered the compote on the side. It slightly overpowered the dish. Sadly, I'm told this was one of their last days open. Cheers to the staff, and best of luck to them. I definitely would have come back for the fish and chips.

i've walked by the place so many times and have always wondered about the food- came here for…read morerestaurant week (alexandria restaurant week) and omg for $45 dinner, it was so worth it just getting a dozen raw oysters alone- I was so happy. everything was really good came with a friend so we ordered everything from the menu so that we could share the scallop risotto was super buttery and tasty, the grilled oysters, fried oysters were really well done. please definitely give this place a try!

I really dig the bar vibe in this neighborhood place. The area is so nice and the bartender was…read moregreat. They have a long QR cocktail menu but the food menu is very limited. They were running out of things and they were understaffed. All things that have been mentioned in other reviews. Well, surprise everyone. They are closing tomorrow Jan 18, while they work on rebranding under the name TEAL. I hope, they keep the bartender while they do a restaurant week pop up. The local dig this place and the outdoor patio is nice.

This is my second visit, and while I love the interior and hostesses cheerfulness, the attitude of…read morethe bartenders turn me off. Both times I visited, the bartenders can hardly mutter a greeting. Instead, they just stare blankly, asking 'what's up?' Ummm, whaa? Perhaps, they're not very social or shy (even though, the first time I came, the Asian bartender couldn't stop chatting up, heavily, the gal who came to sit next to me [after I had been there for about 20 minutes w/ no check-in from him] - to the point that I was practically ignored for 95% of my visit). Either way, it's rude and off-putting to the point where im deducting Hella stars. A bartender's attitude and energy towards a patron can make or break an experience, and they definitely need to work on theirs if they expect people to spend their money at their establishment. Anyway, on to the drinks... Paper plane - meh. Tastes like sour mix with some juice. No complexity. Not a horrible drink, surprisingly, but I've had better. Been here for about an hour now and not one of the 3 men behind the bar have checked on me once...but have offered the couple to my right a complimentary drink. Great views but mid cocktails, thus far, and disappointing service [sad face]

I've been here many times in the evenings to enjoy a cigar and live music. The lounge is upstairs…read moreand has a cozy, old rustic feel with wooden bar tops and tables close to the musicians. The bartenders can be busy but are always friendly. I ordered the Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary, which was a little on the dry side possibly their humidor was a bit off. It also gets fairly loud when the music is playing, so it's not ideal for conversation. Overall, it's still a great spot to relax, enjoy a cigar, and listen to live music.

We were walking down the street and heard "live music" so we ended up at this location!…read more Cigar bar upstairs. My friend actually went next door and purchased cigars. We walked upstairs. No charge to get in. There was a live band doing songs from the 80s and 90s.... SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOD!! Bathroom is upstairs tho, so you have to go right infront of the stage :) Espresso Martini was just okay. Beer was tasty. No street parking

It was a beautiful day, and we decided to check out a new spot for drinks and bites while soaking…read moreup some sun. We headed over to the People's Drug, where we found a cozy cafe table outside. We kicked off happy hour with some refreshing cocktails, the Bubble Buck and Gindependence Collin's, both were fantastic and refreshing. To snack on, we ordered again from the Happy Hour Specials and tried the HH Wings and Truffle Fries. No complaints, good service, drinks, tasty bites and a sunny spot made for a perfect afternoon.

AMAZING impromptu date night find!…read more Happy Hour until 7pm with $10 cocktails and small bites ranging from $6-$8. Great indoor and outdoor seating Service was a bit slow but the staff were really friendly. I would recommend knowing what you want to eat upfront so that you can put in that order with your drinks. Happy Hour Drinks: Bubble Buck-Excellent balance of liquor, sweetness, and bitterness. Excellent drink Gindependence Collins- Perfect summer drink, recommended for anyone who doesn't want to drink heavy liquor and those monitoring their sugar intake. Excellent drink Rosie's Negroni- Perfect twist on a Negroni. Excellent drink Needless to say, all of the drinks were perfect. Happy Hour Bites Truffle Fries- this was SO good! Crispy, fresh, and bursting with truffle oil flavor. Crispy chicken wings- I'm not a wet wings lover but this sauce was undeniably delicious and the wings were beautifully prepared. Overall we loved this place and look forward to returning.

Surprisingly good. Great fittings. Good bar and comfortable booths. Pretty much standard food but…read morewell priced considering so close to King street which is the main tourist drag. Steak ok but would expect nothing better. Kids meal just fine. Some TV's so you can watch Arsenal loose in European Cup. Not very busy at noon on Saturday which seems surprising. But worked for me. I would go again if in the area. You should try it also.

Was in town for a work conference, and headed to USPH for dinner with a few vendors one night!…read more Parking is a bit tough in the area, but we were able to find garage parking with not too far of a walk! The space itself is historic and fun, which matches the overall vibes of the neighborhood. Our server was on top of things throughout the meal, even with a large group and many special requests! The menu is a mix of fun takes on classics, with everything that we had tasting great! I had the Shrimp Po Boy, which was a sizeable serving and tasted great! I loved the thick, crispy fries on the side! Finished the meal with the lemon cake, which was a refreshingly sweet finisher! Overall, a really solid spot for casual, comfortable food in the area!

Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria on May 26, 2026…read more Upon learning that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band would be performing at Nationals Stadium in D.C. toward the end of May 2026 I invited my two brothers, a sister, and a family friend to join me at the concert. As an Old Town resident for the past 15 years, I've always included Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria in my short list of favorite restaurants when friends and family visit. Happily, we were able to book a table for five, and we had a perfectly wonderful meal there the night before the concert. We started with a dozen fresh oysters for the table - 1/2 dozen Salty Wolfe Oysters ($23), shown as Hank's own proprietary oyster from the Lower Chesapeake, Virginia, along with 1/2 dozen Chef's Selection of the freshest East Coast oysters on the half shell ($22). The five of us around the table all tucked into some of the best oysters ever. The table ordered fish and chips (Old Bay seasoned fries, Cole slaw, $24), two of us ordered oyster po'boys ($21), one had the Ceasar salad ($14; add: (3) shrimp $8, oysters $8, salmon $16, or crab cake $18), and I had the New England clam chowder with bacon ($12) and a small plate of steamed PEI mussels with grilled crostini ($21). Don't let the description mislead you - this small plate of nicely seasoned mussels was large and when coupled with the soup made a perfect meal. Service was friendly, well-informed about the menu items, and prompt without ever feeling rushed. As always, breaking bread at Hank's is a treat.

I stopped by Hank's Oyster Bar for lunch on my trip back home and overall it was an enjoyable…read moreexperience. Our waiter was super attentive, always in good spirits, and checked on us frequently throughout the meal. We started with a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They missed a few items from our appetizer order at first, but everything was sorted out pretty quickly. The oysters were solid but still fresh and enjoyable. We both ordered the fish and chips, and honestly not bad. The fish was seasoned really well without being overly salty, the fries were solid too, and overall it made for a satisfying lunch. I also tried the mango ginger sparkler, which was refreshing too. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a solid lunch option. Parking can be a little tricky with the construction nearby, but there's underground parking at the Sheraton across the street if needed.

WHAT A ONE-STOP SHOP!!!!!…read more 219 is a VA gem, that I personally don't want too many people knowing about. The bottom floor - the Bayou Bar. The middle floor - dining within 219. And the top floor? - the performance space and the side cigar lounge! When I say there is something for everyone at this location, you could not miss going here. My friend and I made reservations via Open Table and had no issue making our allotted time, neither did 219 with having our table ready upon our arrival. Our server was super attentive, giving all of his best recommendations, including the jambalaya, and wings! (Both pictured). We were also seated by the window which was surprisingly not cold (the fireplace was also not lit this night), and was able to have a nice view of the street! She and I love people watching, and this was nice! Loved this place, and took our drinks right upstairs to the jazz performance where we spent another hour or so. Greaaaat performers come, along with great sounds! It's set up as a first come, first serve basis so please come early! 219 is a great place to come for a cozy. comfortable night!

Came here for a good night of drinks and music. Made reservations for the restaurant then…read moreafterwards the plan was to slide upstairs for the band. Well the plans changed. Given the size of the upstairs I'm glad we came right upstairs first. As it is very very small and tight. It's first come and first serve. Ordered wings fries and crab soup. The wings were okay from what my friend said. The soup could be better. It needed old bay seasoning and more crab. It was very bland. Too much scallions in it. It was like eating scallion cream soup. For $15 it could have been better. The drinks. They put too too much ice in them. My whiskey sour turned into water sour. My friend's old fashioned was old ice with orange and cherry bitters. Very disappointing. Even with the food and drinks not being the best the music was on point. The band was awesome. The space is very very tight and limited so you will need to arrive early if you want to sit by the band. But there is also seating at the bar down the hall. And the balcony seating does not do any justice as you can't see band only hear them. They could expand if possible. I gave it 2 stars due to the food and drinks. The music pushed it to 3. I may go back but do things different depending on the time we go. And bring our own cigars is a must. It's definitely a jewel in the Old Town neighborhood. Stop by to see the band and bring your cigars. And order drinks with light to mo ice.

We randomly stopped by here and had a great time!…read more 1. Bar: full bar, decent drinks, very small portion for mixed drinks. if you are thirsty, stick with beer or wine. 2. Long bar and a few tall tables. Not too busy, rather quiet for a bar 3. Clean, comfortable bar, well lit and not-sticky, which is very important! All in all, a nice place.

How did I not find this place sooner?! From brunch to dinner, the Light Horse does everything in a…read moreperfectly cozy neighborhood way. In one week, I came here three times because it's really just THAT good. On my first visit, a friend and I sat at the bar and enjoyed specialty cocktails and dinner. On my second trip for weekend brunch, two couples enjoyed cocktails, baked brie with pecans and cranberries, and delicious breakfast favorites. And on the most recent visit, my girlfriends and I checked out the upstairs, which is huge and warm, perfect for enjoying truffle-fry appetizers and dinner. Did I mention that the service here is great? Between Cassie, who's literally working both upstairs and downstairs, to Justin who's single-handedly juggling the brunch crowd as host, bartender, and server, everyone is working their tushies off. Can't say enough good things about this place. Oh, and military discount Mondays?? Say no more. Apparently, they also host karaoke nights, so I'll definitely be a regular going into 2026.

Honestly I only came for the drinks but it has a very cool date night vibe. The bartender is…read moreattentive and good at his job. The espresso martini comes with this cute roasted marshmallow! Can't wait to come back and try the food!

Had the breakfast here while staying in the hotel for the weekend…read more Ordered the bacon eggs Benedict. It wasn't any traditional bacon, more like a soft fatty cheesy piece, I didn't care for its However the poached eggs were cooked very well, the hollandaise sauce was ok to good, but a bit bland. My wife had simple eggs meat and toast. She selected the sausage, and it was very overcooked and dry, after one very small bite, pushed it aside. Coffee was good.