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The patio at Augie’s
The patio at Augie’s
@ShootJoeC/Augie’s

Where To Drink Outside in Alexandria

Find locally brewed witbier, frosé, tiki drinks, and riverfront views

by Adele Chapin
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The patio at Augie’s
| @ShootJoeC/Augie’s
by Adele Chapin

So many spots in Alexandria have stepped up their outdoor setups for the summer. Stroll through King Street in Old Town to check out patios built onto the street and lush cocktail gardens. Closer to the water, drinkers can find happy hours with Potomac River views. In suburban Del Ray, the main drag has seen an influx of beer gardens and wine-friendly patios. Local brewers like Port City, Lost Boy cider, and Aslin Beer Company have also added more alfresco seats with options in the shade. Here are 18 options for grabbing a drink outside.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

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Hops N Shine

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Del Ray beer garden Hops N Shine aims to be a neighborhood hangout, drawing locals to its back patio for events like a Tuesday night “Paint N Sip.” Moonshine appears on the drink list in cocktails and on the rocks. There’s a lengthy draft beer list and frosty drinks like spiked slushees.

3410 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 566-1509
(703) 566-1509

Also featured in:

Evening Star Cafe

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Over the past two years, Evening Star Cafe brought on more outdoor seating. In addition to its Front Porch, “The Back Yard” features cabanas and shady umbrellas. This Del Ray institution from Neighborhood Restaurant Group offers beer, wine, and cocktails such as a “Front Porch Frosé” and an iced tea-infused bourbon slushee.

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051
(703) 549-5051

Also featured in:

The Garden

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What used to be a garden store on Del Ray’s main strip is now an outdoor beer garden run by the owners of nearby Live Oak restaurant. Prosecco on tap and spiked seltzer cans round out the lengthy draft list.

1503 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(571) 970-2791
(571) 970-2791

Also featured in:

Cafe 44

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Try Cafe 44’s balcony for cocktails on a rooftop perch overlooking the Potomac River. The bar also is all-in on happy hour, even on Saturdays, with $5 beer, $6 house wine, and $7 spirits.

44 Canal Center Plaza Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 344-9100
(571) 344-9100

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap

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In Del Ray, this pizzeria created a garden oasis complete with misters and fans for hot days. Keep cool with frozen drinks like citrus sangrias and frosé. There’s also $4 wine and $5 beer during happy hour.

401 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 683-5330
(703) 683-5330

Also featured in:

Port City Brewing Company

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There are picnic tables and umbrellas outside at this long-running Alexandria brewery, known for beers like Optimal Wit and Beach Drive golden ale. For a bite to eat, consider ordering barbecue from nearby Rocklands.

3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 797-2739
(703) 797-2739

Also featured in:

The Peoples Drug

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Old Town cocktail bar the Peoples Drug built a charming setup in the street full of umbrellas and planters. Order a Watermelon Whiskey Smash or spicy mezcal margarita, and share an order of truffle fries.

103 N Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 257-8851
(571) 257-8851

Also featured in:

Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden

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Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden boasts one of the most popular patios in Old Town. The drinks menu highlights beer from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, with picks from Belgium and some other imports.

1106 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 721-3970
(703) 721-3970

Also featured in:

Blackwall Hitch

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Blackwall Hitch’s Potomac Patio offers a view of the river with comfy seating and tables equipped with fire pits. The cocktail menu includes drinks like strawberry-ginger margaritas and blueberry mules.

5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-6090
(703) 739-6090

Taverna Cretekou

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In Old Town, Taverna Cretekou’s lush side street garden is a beautiful spot for a glass of wine and a meze platter.

818 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-8688
(703) 548-8688

Also featured in:

King & Rye

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King Street’s King & Rye rolled out a Cocktail Garden in April that features fire pits, lounge areas, and more private dining spaces. In addition to a long list of rye, bourbon, and rare whiskeys, find refreshing summer cocktails like a cucumber gin rickey.

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 842-2761
(703) 842-2761

Also featured in:

Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

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This riverfront restaurant with a tiki sensibility serves a potent Painkiller and rum punch alongside a seafood-heavy menu full of coconut shrimp, crab grilled cheese, and po’ boys. Frozen orange crushes are $6 at happy hour, and brunch is a big draw, too.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

Aslin Beer Company

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Aslin Beer Company added an outdoor beer garden to its neon-tastic Alexandria brewery and taproom, which is just as colorful as its beer cans. The beer garden is open Thursday through Sunday, which is also when Andy’s Pizza’s serves up Sicilian pies here too.

847 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304
(571) 431-7603
(571) 431-7603

Also featured in:

Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

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This classic Irish pub took advantage of King Street’s expanded pedestrian zone, putting in a verdant streetside seating area for customers enjoying a pint.

112 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-1124
(703) 739-1124

Also featured in:

Hummingbird

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Cathal Armstrong and Meshelle Armstrong’s seafood restaurant Hummingbird seats guests on a stylish patio with fire pits and river views. The drink menu includes wine by the glass, Virginia brews, and sharable cocktails like Mint Juleps or blackberry sangria.

220 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 566-1355
(703) 566-1355

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Ada's on the River

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This new Old Town restaurant with picturesque Potomac River views on its patio serves cocktails with ingredients like pour-over coffee, fresh raspberries, or cinnamon nutmeg syrup.

3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1400
(703) 638-1400

Also featured in:

Barca Pier & Wine Bar

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One of Old Town’s most unique new drinking spots, Barca Pier & Wine Bar seats customers on industrial freight containers floating on the Potomac River. Order cocktails like passionfruit frojitos or pomelo sangria along with tapas.

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1100
(703) 638-1100
Barca Pier & Wine Bar breathes new life into the site of a former shipping pier on the Potomac. Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Lost Boy Cider

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This cidery near the Eisenhower metro stop added a 1,200-square-foot outdoor tent to its airy, 6,000-square-foot taproom.

317 Hooffs Run Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 566-5737
(703) 566-5737

Also featured in:

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Hops N Shine

3410 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

Del Ray beer garden Hops N Shine aims to be a neighborhood hangout, drawing locals to its back patio for events like a Tuesday night “Paint N Sip.” Moonshine appears on the drink list in cocktails and on the rocks. There’s a lengthy draft beer list and frosty drinks like spiked slushees.

3410 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 566-1509
(703) 566-1509

Evening Star Cafe

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Over the past two years, Evening Star Cafe brought on more outdoor seating. In addition to its Front Porch, “The Back Yard” features cabanas and shady umbrellas. This Del Ray institution from Neighborhood Restaurant Group offers beer, wine, and cocktails such as a “Front Porch Frosé” and an iced tea-infused bourbon slushee.

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051
(703) 549-5051

The Garden

1503 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

What used to be a garden store on Del Ray’s main strip is now an outdoor beer garden run by the owners of nearby Live Oak restaurant. Prosecco on tap and spiked seltzer cans round out the lengthy draft list.

1503 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(571) 970-2791
(571) 970-2791

Cafe 44

44 Canal Center Plaza Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22314

Try Cafe 44’s balcony for cocktails on a rooftop perch overlooking the Potomac River. The bar also is all-in on happy hour, even on Saturdays, with $5 beer, $6 house wine, and $7 spirits.

44 Canal Center Plaza Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 344-9100
(571) 344-9100

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap

401 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22301

In Del Ray, this pizzeria created a garden oasis complete with misters and fans for hot days. Keep cool with frozen drinks like citrus sangrias and frosé. There’s also $4 wine and $5 beer during happy hour.

401 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 683-5330
(703) 683-5330

Port City Brewing Company

3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

There are picnic tables and umbrellas outside at this long-running Alexandria brewery, known for beers like Optimal Wit and Beach Drive golden ale. For a bite to eat, consider ordering barbecue from nearby Rocklands.

3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 797-2739
(703) 797-2739

The Peoples Drug

103 N Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Old Town cocktail bar the Peoples Drug built a charming setup in the street full of umbrellas and planters. Order a Watermelon Whiskey Smash or spicy mezcal margarita, and share an order of truffle fries.

103 N Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 257-8851
(571) 257-8851

Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden

1106 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden boasts one of the most popular patios in Old Town. The drinks menu highlights beer from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, with picks from Belgium and some other imports.

1106 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 721-3970
(703) 721-3970

Blackwall Hitch

5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Blackwall Hitch’s Potomac Patio offers a view of the river with comfy seating and tables equipped with fire pits. The cocktail menu includes drinks like strawberry-ginger margaritas and blueberry mules.

5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-6090
(703) 739-6090

Taverna Cretekou

818 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

In Old Town, Taverna Cretekou’s lush side street garden is a beautiful spot for a glass of wine and a meze platter.

818 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-8688
(703) 548-8688

King & Rye

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

King Street’s King & Rye rolled out a Cocktail Garden in April that features fire pits, lounge areas, and more private dining spaces. In addition to a long list of rye, bourbon, and rare whiskeys, find refreshing summer cocktails like a cucumber gin rickey.

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 842-2761
(703) 842-2761

Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This riverfront restaurant with a tiki sensibility serves a potent Painkiller and rum punch alongside a seafood-heavy menu full of coconut shrimp, crab grilled cheese, and po’ boys. Frozen orange crushes are $6 at happy hour, and brunch is a big draw, too.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

Aslin Beer Company

847 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304

Aslin Beer Company added an outdoor beer garden to its neon-tastic Alexandria brewery and taproom, which is just as colorful as its beer cans. The beer garden is open Thursday through Sunday, which is also when Andy’s Pizza’s serves up Sicilian pies here too.

847 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304
(571) 431-7603
(571) 431-7603

Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

112 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This classic Irish pub took advantage of King Street’s expanded pedestrian zone, putting in a verdant streetside seating area for customers enjoying a pint.

112 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-1124
(703) 739-1124

Hummingbird

220 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Cathal Armstrong and Meshelle Armstrong’s seafood restaurant Hummingbird seats guests on a stylish patio with fire pits and river views. The drink menu includes wine by the glass, Virginia brews, and sharable cocktails like Mint Juleps or blackberry sangria.

220 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 566-1355
(703) 566-1355

Related Maps

Ada's on the River

3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314

This new Old Town restaurant with picturesque Potomac River views on its patio serves cocktails with ingredients like pour-over coffee, fresh raspberries, or cinnamon nutmeg syrup.

3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1400
(703) 638-1400

Barca Pier & Wine Bar

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314

One of Old Town’s most unique new drinking spots, Barca Pier & Wine Bar seats customers on industrial freight containers floating on the Potomac River. Order cocktails like passionfruit frojitos or pomelo sangria along with tapas.

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1100
(703) 638-1100
Barca Pier & Wine Bar breathes new life into the site of a former shipping pier on the Potomac. Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Lost Boy Cider

317 Hooffs Run Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314

This cidery near the Eisenhower metro stop added a 1,200-square-foot outdoor tent to its airy, 6,000-square-foot taproom.

317 Hooffs Run Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 566-5737
(703) 566-5737

Related Maps