Welcome to Old Town, Alexandria: happy hour’s best kept secret. You probably wouldn’t know it just by looking, but those beautiful historic buildings that line the streets of Old Town are actually home to some of the D.C.-area’s best happy hour deals. Meet Chadwick’s, Murphy’s and Union Street, where you can get happy and take the free Old Town trolley as your sober ride.
Chadwick’s
203 S. Strand St.
Alexandria, Va. 22314
703-836-4442
If you need to unwind after a long workday, Chadwick’s is the place to be. A friendly host or hostess will ask where you would like to be seated and if the weather is pleasant, the front patio is an ideal spot to kick back and relax with the breeze coming in from the Potomac nearby. Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., select appetizers are only $3 and cocktails are an amazingly low price of $2 a glass. House wines, domestic beers and special bar appetizers are also half off, leaving you with the opportunity to have cheap drinks and a good, cheap dinner, as the chicken tenders are excellent and do not resemble the stereotypical bar food.
Murphy’s
713 King St.
Alexandria, Va. 22314
703-548-1717
Twenty years ago, a few Irish Americans founded a pub in hopes that it would be a sort of home away from home for people to go. Today, Murphy’s is just that and more, attracting large crowds of Redskins and Patriots fans on game days. With 15 different beers on tap, Murphy’s is a happy hour hot spot, offering $2 pints of domestic beer Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in addition to half-priced burgers on Tuesdays and 25-cent wings on Wednesdays.
Union Street Pub
121 S. Union St.
Alexandria, Va. 22314
703-548-1785
Located near the waterfront, Union Street Pub is a cozy place to gather with friends after work. The dark, wooden booths lining the wall and surrounding the bar are often occupied with members of the “under-35” crowd sipping on locally brewed lagers, Virginia Native Dark and Virginia Native Gold. Happy hour consists of $2 domestic drafts and select appetizer specials, Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
