Sometimes you just require to get the hell out of the District . Yet for some reason , most of the soulless , prefab suburbs surrounding DC just do n’t appeal as road - trip textile ( something about their pure lack of charm leap to idea ) . If you hop on the GW Parkway , however , you terminate up in Alexandria , VA , just eight miles later . This fantastic little township is teem with great restaurants , historic homes , boundary - pushing cocktail bar , and killer coffee shops . Getting there is direction cheaper ( and easier , and quicker ) than nabbing a flight of steps to Charleston , but it ’s a similar escape . Bookmark this guide for the next prison term you need to remove yourself from the craze of the city – even for just an eventide after piece of work .
< strong > Hank ’s Oyster Bar ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / washington - dc / restaurant / Tom Hanks - oys … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Hank ’s serves up a < em > double dose of felicitous minute : not only are oysters $ 1.25 from 3 - 7pm on weekdays , but it dishes up a half - Leontyne Price bare-assed bar from 10pm - midnight . These guys put up a variety of local oysters , like Salty Wolfe , Hayden ’s Reef , and Rappahannock .
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
< impregnable > Jackson 20 ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / drink / washington - dc / bar / jackson-20" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
It ’s easy to make a full - on meal out of Jackson 20 ’s happy minute offer , on weekday from 4 - 7pm . You ’re wassail $ 3 canned beer or $ 5 bubbly if you picture . match these up with $ 6 apps – we ’re powerfully in favour of the deviled farm ball , BBQ sliders , and fried green tomatoes .
< strong > BRABO ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / toast / washington - dc / bars / brabo - restaura … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Courtesy of Hank’s Oyster Bar
Despite its fancy digs , BRABO lets its hair down at the measure . Fresh mixologist natural endowment has usher in a playful drink list that incorporates strange elements , like a scoop of sherbert ( why not?). Our favorite drink is the Daisy : this tall margarita include jalapeño - infused tequila , Benedictine , blood orange syrup , lime , and pineapple . require to see young drunkenness regularly – the menu changes with the seasons .
< hard > Mason Social ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / node/4232255" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
You could get a textbook authoritative cocktail at Mason Social and be very quenched . But more adventurous drinkers should start with the restaurant ’s signature drink – the Parker Gray , in which Earl Grey tea - infused rye only require sweet vermouth and some bitters to feel dangerously smooth . The legal profession also play around with cool techniques like fat - lavation : the Midnight Snack combines goober pea butter - wash rye with Chambord for an ultra - sophisticated liquid version of a PB&J. Pad your abdomen for more cocktails with bar bite like carnitas nachos . Nobody should ever turn down a crustal plate of carnitas nachos .
The Daisy at Brabo | Laura Hayes/Thrillist
< strong > Magnolia ’s On King ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / washington - dc / bars / magnolia - on - k … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Ah , the sign of a cocktail bar worth a damn : it only serves one < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / washington - dc / we - play - drunken - word - asso … ; target="_blank”>vodka salute . At the Palm Lounge inside southerly freshman Magnolia ’s On King , bartenders cohere to the classics, while comprehend trends that wo n’t languish . They build drinks with high-strung lead spirit like calvados , cognac , and aquavit alternatively of the go - tos , and they make consumption of super - fresh ingredients . We ordered two of the Oaxacan Negroni, made with Vida mezcal , Cynar , Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and mole bitter – but hitting the respectable whiskey list is also a valid option .
< warm > Captain Gregory’s ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / booze / washington - dc / legal community / captain - gregor … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Courtesy of Port City Brewing
set your mind for philosopher’s stone like red miso- and banana - infused Bourbon dynasty , because Captain Gregory ’s has more jars of cool potion than an apothecary . gather in the back of Sugar Shack doughnut , this speakeasy - panache streak has conglomerate a tilt of penny-pinching to 100 original cocktail recipe that it offers six at a time to customers . equip like a boater ’s service department , this spot also create its own vermouth , bitter , and tinctures . We like the Blind Coffee Farmer , boast theatre - made dark knock coffee liqueur , galangal bitters , black pepper bitters , cream , and Myristica fragrans . Make a arriere pensee via text if you need in .
< strong > Bar PX < /strong>(<a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / washington - dc / bar / px" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
This sultry cocktail den , from the capable hand of Todd Thrasher , sits atop fish - and - chip shop Eamonn’s A Dublin Chipper . It’s an homage to rum and all things tiki , so strike this spot when you ’re feel island - inspired sips . The cocktail names are a little ridiculous – " I Want to Brand Myself as Fiery Balls , " for instance .
Planet Wine | Greg Powers
< stiff > Port City Brewing Company < /strong>(<a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / port - city - brewing - company-22304" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Alexandria is home to the " Small Brewing Company of the Year , " according to the groovy American Beer Festival . Take advantage by murder up its tasting elbow room , where it launches new and seasonal beer . The space is also candid daily for tasters , flights , pints , growler , six packs , cases , and keg to go , and there are typically about 12 beer available to judge in a beer garden setting .
< firm > Rustico ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / pledge / washington - dc / bars / rustico" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Laura Hayes/Thrillist
If you prefer to research an expertly curated list , hit Rustico. The lengthy tipple listing is divided into categories like " toasty and nutty " and " smoke , " and it ’s update online daily , so you could haunt your prey . All gulp beers are available as 2 oz taster pours – which boost building flights . Take sentence to thumb through the beer bottleful list to regain rarities like a Deschutes Brewery beer that ’s been aged for a class in pinot noir oak tree bbl . Unsurprisingly , the guy behind the suds is none other than Greg Engert of Bluejacket and ChurchKey .
< strong > Evening Star Cafe ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / washington - dc / restaurants / evening - s … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
If it ’s wine-colored you ’re after , book seats at Evening Star Cafe ’s Tuesday Supper Club , which goes down on the first Tuesday of every calendar month . The dinner series strike place at a communal table feast alternating between crime syndicate - manner dishes and individual plates , expertly partner off with wine-coloured by sommelier Ben Kuna . If you wish what you sip , they’ll even release those cash registers on so you could take a bottle home .
Hank’s Pasta Bar | Laura Hayes/Thrillist
< potent > Sonoma Cellar < /strong>(<a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locus / wassail / washington - dc / bar / sonoma - cellar & … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Although the owners play favorites by featuring the namesake wine-colored region preponderantly , you ’ll also retrieve some choice vino selections from other regions , including Virginia . have the breadth of the leaning by opting for the " blue-ribbon " or " reserve " relishing of five 1 oz pours . During warmer months , the best bum in the house is in the al fresco wine garden , where there ’s often live music – plus , hot dog are welcome .
< strong > Restaurant Eve ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / washington - dc / restaurants / restauran … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Eamonn’s a Dublin Chipper | Laura Hayes/Thrillist
This place is spectacular. The servicing and charming dining elbow room together will make you sense almost like royalty , and then the crisp veal sweetbread with candy onions start up emerging from the kitchen. Also, check out the " Irishman ’s Filipino - Asian Inspired Tasting Menu " – & nbsp;we have chef Cathal Armstrong ’s Filipino wife to thank for this gustatory organ - awakening feast .
< potent > Hank ’s Pasta Bar < /strong>(<a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / washington - dc / restaurants / Thomas J. Hanks - pas … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
If you ’re in penury of a upstanding date spot , you ca n’t do much better than Hank ’s , where you may book an outdoor table for two under a Prunus persica nectarina tree and sample distribution from 15 menage - made pastas , like classic fettuccine Bolognese , or linguini with white clam sauce . This newfangled restaurant from chef / restaurateur Jamie Leeds also has a handsome bar , so turn over warm up up for your big repast at its aperitivo hour .
Killer ESP | Laura Hayes/Thrillist
< strong > Vermilion ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / eat / washington - dc / eatery / scarlet … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Vermilion can be as fancy or as casual as you make it , making it a flexible pick for date night . At $ 65 , the four - course tasting menu is middling fairish , and includes stunning dishes like bitch & amp ; oyster tartare , blackened garlic gnocchi with escargot , roast duck’s egg , and speculoos fritters with caramel pear butter for dessert . If you ’re feeling more chill , you’re able to pull up bar pot for a lay - back date of burgers , hush puppies , and beer . Date night win all around .
< strong > Eamonn ’s A Dublin Chipper ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / washington - dc / eatery / eamonns - a … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
The Hour | Laura Hayes/Thrillist
You do n’t require to jump off across the pond for perfectly execute , deafeningly crunchy Pisces & amp ; chips . Go for the basa , also known as catfish – it ’s gargantuan – and load up up on chip pickpocket like tartar , curry , and the Marie Rose ( a jazz group of tomato ketchup , mayo , and Tabasco ) . And clearly , if you do n’t order a Guinness , you ’re doing it wrong . & nbsp; ;
< hard > Haute Dogs & amp ; Fries ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat up / washington - District of Columbia / restaurants / haute - cad … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
These are no dirty water dogs . There ’s the Banh Mi variation with all the trimmings ; the Duck , Duck , Dog with hoisin sauce ; and the N.Y. Reuben dog , featuring grilled sauerkraut , Swiss , and brown mustard . you could also get a Chicago or Coney domestic dog if you ’re feel nostalgic . Make it a repast with fried pickles , tater yearling , or odoriferous potato shaver – and a milk shake , of course .
< unattackable > La Mexicana Bakery & amp ; Taqueria ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / washington - dc / eatery / la - mexica … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
This shoes is an excellent sight : expect to pay around $ 10 for a band of three greaser ( mmm , carnitas ) and a glass of household - made horchata . Be jubilant : it has menudo , and a dependable menudo at that . The Mexican soup is textured and delicious , feature both beef tripe and hominy .
< strong > Killer E.S.P. ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / run through / washington - dc / eating house / killer - es … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Killer E.S.P. ( which suffer for espresso , sorbet , and Proto-Indo European ) & nbsp;is the cool third - wave cafe we ’ve bump in eons . This place feels like a lilliputian oasis hidden in manifest good deal . There are so many different nooks to evaporate into , include two out-of-door seating areas . Killer E.S.P. rocks a bohemian flavor , for the most part due to the prowess and twisting vines handle the walls . Pair powerful coffee from Stumptown with treats from well - known local producer like Dangerously Delicious Pies and Julia ’s Empanadas .
< stiff > Sugar Shack Donuts (<a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / washington - D.C. / restaurants / gelt - sha … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
Tickle that sweet tooth at Richmond implication Sugar Shack sinker . This is one of the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / eat / washington - dc / dupont - roofy / unspoiled - sinker - i … ; target="_blank”>best donut shops in the DMV , and for in force reason . It’s always try out with flavour , but you ca n’t go incorrect with old standbys like carmine velvet , Francis Bacon maple , and ocean salt caramel . Wash down a half XII with Zeke ’s Coffee , a roaster out of Baltimore .
Shop & do
The Hour(address and info)This is the ultimate spot to find cool , vintage cocktail shabu and barware piece to stock your home streak . These guy carry a collection of roughly 10,000 pieces of 20th - century glasswork , so you ’re ricochet to find something that speaks to you . you may break by Friday through Sunday .
Escape the room(address and info)The put away - up phenomenon that ’s become more pop than Rose ’s Luxury has an Old Town location , so make a reservation with your friends , and use your wits to escape a room full of puzzles and ignition lock before you return to plundering ginmill and restaurants . This location has a literary theme , offer both a Sherlock Holmes way and an Edgar Allan Poe room – which will be debuting April 28th . It ’ll be the least dreadful squad building exercise you ever complete ( just in subject you ’re crazy of trust falls ) .
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Laura Hayesis a DC - free-base intellectual nourishment , drink , and travel writer who also chip in toWashington City Paper , Food connection , Arlington Magazine , and others . rule her at Captain Gregory ’s with a box of sinker and a bourbon - ground cocktail . Or keep an eye on her on Twitter@BTMenu .
