Hail Bezos
Date of visit: numerous times since 2024
This is a bar inside of a Whole Foods. Trust me on this. Every friend I’ve ever brought has been converted. Near the King St metro station.
Vibe:
You’re drinking inside a grocery store. Our Amazonic overlords fortunately saw it fit to tuck the bar space in a back corner; fortunately, nobody is judging you. There are two or three employees assigned to regular bartending shifts. They’re all friendly and pour a great beer.
What I’ve found most surprising is that this bar has regular clientele. Not just any regulars, but a diverse, dedicated, and conversational group of people. Like a dandelion growing through concrete, congeniality and connection finds a way to exist at a Northern Virginia grocery store. Sometimes you have to enjoy things as they are and ignore the absurdity of it all.
Drinks:
There are 12 taps, with a fair distribution of beer styles plus a cider. All craft, roughly half of which is local.
An average pint is $6 with a $1 discount on happy hour (M-F, 4-6). 32 and 64oz growler pours are also available. Given that the going rate for a craft pint in Alexandria is $8 ($6 on happy hour), this may be the best deal in town. It’s nearly a better deal than the packaged beer selection in the very same store.
There’s a coffee bar in the same space. Closes at 6pm.
The Move:
The store may close at 10pm but the bar area closes at 9, making this is a great first or second bar. A transitional space between dinner and debauchery. I’ve ended my night here more than once but wouldn’t recommend that an upstanding citizen do so.
For the best possible experience, come on a Friday for happy hour. Order a pizza near the deli counter; they’re only $12 today. You’ll be informed “it’s a [20-60] minute wait”. That wait is the perfect time to drink a beer or three! Once your order is ready, return to the bar with your prize and enjoy a couple more drinks with the best value pizza in town. It’s fine to temporarily migrate to a table if you’re self conscious about how much bar space you’re taking up. When the slices are gone, it’s time to migrate; perhaps with new bar friends.
Bonus:
If you’ve never grocery shopped drunk, are you even living? You’ll find things you didn’t even know you needed.
Nearby places of interest:
- You’re only a few blocks from Sweet Fire Donna’s and O’Shaughnessy’s, both of which are great après options
- I have heard regulars heading to Rock It and Light Horse as well