Brewpub
Winner: Ornery Beer Company
Despite the name, you’ll find a friendly vibe at this Fairfax restaurant and its Bristow-area taproom offshoot. A lively roster of events gives you something to do while you sip your Kölsch or Pilsner, like nights when you can create your own mosaic coasters or custom pint glasses, or show off your skills (and luck) at trivia or bingo. 3950 University Dr., Ste. 106, Fairfax; 8088 Flannery Ct., Manassas
Runner-Up: Caboose Tavern
Caboose is right off the W&OD Trail, meaning if you’re in the mood for one of their signature IPAs, you can walk, run, or bike right up to the bar and slake your thirst. The deceptively humble structure in an industrial part of Vienna actually houses a surprisingly posh farm-to-table restaurant and coffeehouse. The Fairfax location, Caboose Commons, serves up the same uber-fresh food and beer in a more casual, communal setting. 520 Mill St. NE, Vienna; 2918 Eskridge Rd., Fairfax
Bubble Tea
Winner: TeaDo
When you get those 11:30 p.m. cravings for boba, there’s really just one place to head: TeaDo, which originated in Philly but has legions of local fans at its Annandale location. Lychee, mango, and red guava are among the flavors of “popping bubbles” at this contemporary take on a traditional teahouse. 7031 Little River Turnpike, Ste. 14, Annandale
Runner-Up: Kokee Tea
“A hug in a cup” is what this Virginia-based national chain promises, and it delivers with handcrafted drinks made with cane sugar (no fructose), served up in a cheery, modern setting. Multiple locations
Cocktail Bar
Winner: Founding Farmers
For the spring blossom season, the FF bartenders filled little tin cups with Cherry Juleps, which mingled bourbon and mint with a refreshing kick of cherry liqueur—just one result of their playfulness behind the bar. Whether you’re a dirty-martini devotee or crave a slightly sweeter concoction, such as the Clementine Cooler or Fraise Fling, count on your cocktail to arrive perfectly chilled and calibrated. If you’re thinking your beer at home can’t compete, which it probably can’t, you can stop by and take anything on the drink menu to go. 1904 Reston Metro Plaza Dr., Reston; 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
Runner-Up: Wilson Hardware
This industrial-cool spot in Clarendon has delights you won’t find on a trip to Lowe’s. Here, a Wire Stripper is a combo of tequila, triple sec, pineapple, and lime, and an Auger mingles gin and house blonde ale with lemon juice, sage beer syrup, Angostura bitters, and Lillet Blanc. If you’ve just gotten lost in one of those big-box stores and staggered out in need of a drink, the Aisle 2915 (rye whiskey, Meletti, pineapple, lemon, and ginger) has your name on it. // 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Coffeehouse
Winner: The Spot on Mill Street
The charming location in the historic district of Occoquan makes this unpretentious restaurant a draw for coffee-drinkers. You can get a flat white or French-press, but this isn’t one of those coffeehouses that has a mile-long list of options to get tangled up in. It doesn’t need to, when the “plain” black coffee is so robust and flavorful—good, as they used to say, to the last drop. 406 Mill St., Occoquan
Runner-Up: Caffe Amouri
The baristas at this artisan roaster and coffee shop seriously know their stuff—it’s also a lab and education center, the only one within 150 miles of DC that’s certified by the Specialty Coffee Association. Lest you fear they take themselves too seriously, consider their Magic Marshmallow Latte, a cheery concoction lathered with whipped cream and topped with Lucky Charms ’mallows. 107 Church St. NE, Vienna
Irish Bar
Winner: The Auld Shebeen
Shepherd’s pie. Guinness beef stew. Fish and chips. This place is way too delish for a once-a-year stop-in on St. Paddy’s Day. Owners Mick Boyle and Dominic Keane emigrated from Ireland decades ago, and launched this pub (whose name means “the old speakeasy”) in 2004. We’ve been happily lapping up their beer and atmosphere ever since. 3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax
Runner-Up: Ireland’s Four Provinces
Another longtime favorite run by a true Irishman, the 4 P’s has the friendly appeal of a neighborhood pub. Your beer will be cold, your stew will be beefy, and if there’s a pro soccer game being played, you’ll see it on the big-screen TVs. 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Margaritas
Winner: Wilson Hardware
Best time to stop by Wilson’s for a marg: on Taco Tuesday nights, when they cost a mere 5 clams. But really, any occasion is a good one for kicking back with a Rosé Margarita (pumped up with Aperol, rosé wine, and passion fruit) or the margarita-adjacent Permit Denied (tequila with watermelon, lime, agave, and mint). 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up: bartaco
Escape to an upscale beach resort—or feel like you just did—by ordering a drink at one of bartaco’s three local venues. The thoughtfully prepared street food, served up amid a stylish coastal vibe, will have you thinking you’re on a Brazilian beach somewhere. And guess what you’ll need to wash down those Baja tacos and glazed pork belly? A reader-favorite margarita. Multiple locations
Rooftop Bar
Winner: Wilson Hardware
Who doesn’t love a party on a roof, especially when there are heaters for fending off the occasional chills? The deck of this restaurant and bar is just one of several outdoor destinations, including patios, but we—and apparently everyone else—think it’s the most fun. Grab a drink with a view at this happening spot, and consider how far it’s come since the 1960s, when it really was an unassuming place to pick up hammers and nails. You can still get a Hammer, by the way—Captain Morgan warmed up with housemade hot buttered apple cider—and a Nailed It, a bourbon-peach slushie. 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up: The Electric Palm Restaurant
Watching the sun set colorfully over the Prince William Marina is a major draw to the deck at this hometown fave. The upstairs patio is open every day except Monday for feasting on seafood or sipping fruity drinks. 12745 Sea Ray Ln., Woodbridge
Sports Bar
Winner: Ornery Beer Company
Forget reheated wings and limp fries—this craft brewpub has a scratch kitchen, raising it above your typical destination for catching the big game. You can do that, of course, but also enjoy a roasted-beet-and-shrimp salad with your flight of beer. Oh, and they do have wings—and they’re delicious. 3950 University Dr., Ste. 106, Fairfax; 8088 Flannery Ct., Manassas
Runner-Up: First Down Sports Bar & Grill
Were we talking about wings? You’ll find more than 40 varieties of ’em here in the heart of Ballston. If that doesn’t establish this place’s sports-bar bona fides, may we present exhibit B: the 30-plus flat-screens constantly showing the action. 4213 Fairfax Dr., Arlington
Tea Shop
Winner: Elden Street Tea Shop
This quaint spot in historic Herndon is “steeped” in cuteness, which is why we love it. Stop in for a special event, like one of the frequent tea parties, or just an afternoon pick-me-up. Warning: With more than 65 teas to choose from, this place is not for the indecisive. 714 Pine St., Herndon
Runner-Up: The Spice & Tea Exchange
The 76 loose-leaf teas, from Aurora Blue to White Tropical, are just the beginning at this Old Town favorite. (Our advice: When in doubt, go with the crème brûlée variety.) While you’re there, pick up all the accessories you need to brew the perfect cup at home, and ask for advice from the seasoned pros. 320 King St., Alexandria
Wine Bar
Winner: The Wine House
The mussels are famous here, and the saffron-scented seafood stew gets a lot of love, too. All the better when paired with a bottle of something delicious, and there’s no shortage of that at this wine bar and bistro that boasts more than 500 vinos from around the world. 3950 University Dr., Fairfax
Runner-Up: Screwtop Wine Bar
So this is something pretty cool that Screwtop does: help you host virtual wine-and-cheese tastings, shipping flights of malbecs and portions of Stilton to friends or co-workers near and far, then bringing everyone together for a Zoom taste-a-thon. Or just stop in and have them unscrew something wonderful for you while you enjoy sit-down service—maybe even a wine-tasting party. 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.