Best of NoVA 2018
Nightlife
Looking for the best place to spend a night out in NoVA? From wine and cocktail to Irish and sports bars, here are your fellow Northern Virginians’ favorites.
Cocktail Bar
Trummer’s on Main
Located just at the entrance of historic downtown Clifton, Trummer’s on Main boasts innovatively crafted cocktails and what it says is the largest wine cellar in the Mid-Atlantic. Mixologist and co-owner Stefan Trummer’s offerings include large-format cocktails for groups, playful bottled libations and garden-inspired mocktails. –MB // 7134 Main St., Clifton; trummersonmain.com
Brewpub
Caboose Brewing Co.
Caboose Brewing Co. aims to harken back to the days when most towns had local breweries to provide residents with beer and regional food specialties. To do so, in addition to brewing its beer on site, Caboose uses local ingredients from places like Yohanan Farm in Purcellville for its seasonally-themed menus. –MB // 520 Mill St. NE, Vienna; caboosebrewing.com
Sports Bar
Glory Days Grill
Glory Days is a regional institution with more than 10 locations around the area, including the original establishment in Burke, and another coming to Alexandria. The restaurants are stocked with more than enough TVs to watch the game, plus classic American fare and a range of beers. –MB // Multiple locations; glorydaysgrill.com
Irish Bar
The Auld Shebeen
As downtown Fairfax continues to grow, the Auld Shebeen keeps the spirit of the classic Irish pub alive. A gathering spot at any point of the week, there is some sort of entertainment almost every night, in addition to traditional Irish fare and five Irish drafts. –MB // 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax; theauldshebeenva.com
Wine Bar
Dolce Vita Cicchetti Wine Bar
Cicchetti might mean small plates in Italian, but there is nothing small about the selection of libations available at Dolce Vita Cicchetti Wine Bar. The bar has a selection or nearly 180 wines that are available by either the glass or bottle, as well as seasonal cocktails. –MB // 10824 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax; dolcevitaitaliankitchenandwinebar.com
Dive Bar
Vienna Inn
The Vienna Inn knows what makes bar patrons truly happy. Operating for nearly 60 years, Vienna Inn has always been a place to get a cold beer—or even rent a keg—and some good food, especially its famous chili dogs. What more do you need in a bar? –MB // 120 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; viennainn.com
Rooftop Bar
Whitlow’s on Wilson
Summer is officially here, so why drink inside when the weather outside is so inviting? Our readers know that, and for them no place is better than Whitlow’s on Wilson in Arlington. Whitlow’s Rooftop Tiki Bar sets the scene with everything you love about drinking at the beach—good friends and good booze—minus the sand. –MB // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; whitlows.com
