From special-occasion cocktails to happy hour beers to every type of tea under the sun, you can find your sips of choice at these spots.
Beer Garden
Winner
Starr Hill Biergarten
Talk about scenic. This expansive beer garden, by one of Virginia’s oldest craft breweries, sits atop Capital One Center’s skypark and boasts over 5,000 square feet of outdoor space and stellar views. You can find several pleasantly hoppy beers on draft, including the fruit-forward Wahoowa, brewed in honor of the University of Virginia. There are also cocktails and beer-garden offerings like soft pretzel sticks. Fun bonuses: Starr Hill is pet-friendly and offers live music all week long. 1805 Capital One Dr., 11th Fl., Tysons
Runner-Up
Westover Market & Beer Garden
5863 Washington Blvd., Arlington
Brewpub
Winner
Honor Brewing Company
Founded by an Army veteran, this brewery features a bar top made from a 76-year-old tree that fell on the grounds of Fort Belvoir. Military photos and mementos hang on the Wall of Honor, and each tap handle features a dog tag from a fallen soldier. There are 16 beers on tap in a wide range of styles, like wheat beers, IPAs, and stouts. And you won’t get hungry: The brewpub also offers food, including barbecue. 14004 Willard Rd., Ste. A, Chantilly; 11250 James Swart Cir., Fairfax
Runner-Up
Ornery Beer Company
3950 University Dr., Ste. 106, Fairfax; 8088 Flannery Ct., Manassas
Bubble Tea
Winner
Kung Fu Tea
With locations in practically every major population area of Northern Virginia, Kung Fu Tea is your one-stop shop for every type of on-the-go drink you can imagine. Its bestsellers include classic green tea, Oreo Slush, and red-bean bubble tea. Multiple locations
Runner-Up
Gong Cha
Multiple locations
Cocktail Bar
Winner
Salt
This dimly lit, subterranean Rosslyn cocktail bar is perfect for both date nights and happy hours. It offers a curated menu of small plates, entrées, and desserts, but the main event is the cocktails. You can’t go wrong with whimsical house options like the spice-infused Girls Just Wanna Have Pho, but a classic Manhattan or old-fashioned can hit the spot, too. 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up
Wilson Hardware
2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Coffeehouse
Winner
The Spot on Mill Street
This Occoquan Historic District gem offers superior coffee, featuring a delicious house espresso. But there’s more at The Spot, including beer, wine, cocktails (adult milkshakes, anyone?), and a full food menu with sandwiches and vegetarian options. Stay a while: Wi-Fi and charging stations are plentiful, and your dog is welcome. 406 Mill St., Occoquan
Runner-Up
La Coop Coffee
4807 First St. N., Arlington
Irish Bar
Winner
The Auld Shebeen
For the seventh year in a row, readers picked The Auld Shebeen as the best Irish bar in NoVA. There must be something about the Irish hospitality: The bar is packed with Guinness-sipping fans when big soccer games come around. Then again, it could be the filling menu options, like the classic shepherd’s pie. Look beyond Guinness, and you’ll find a list of specialty drafts, as well as Irish coffees. 3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax
Runner-Up
Ireland’s Four Provinces
105 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Rooftop Bar
Winner
Wilson Hardware
This picturesque spot once again makes the list, and for good reason: The rooftop — which is perfect for any season, thanks to heaters and a retractable roof — is the prime spot for people-watching, or just enjoying the view. Grab a mess of sliders and wings, plus a cocktail like the Screw Him (vodka, lychee, hibiscus, lemon, and Champagne), and watch the world go by. 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up
Zandra’s Taqueria
9114 Center St., Manassas
Sports Bar
Winner
Open Road Grill
You told us again: Open Road is a fantastic place to watch your favorite DC sports teams while sipping on a craft beer. You can also find other appealing accoutrements, like live music, wings with an array of rubs and sauces, a fantastic margarita, and standout service. 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 8100 Lee Hwy., Falls Church
Runner-Up
Glory Days Grill
Multiple locations
Tea Shop
Winner
Soricha
Open since 2016, this Korean teahouse serves organic tea imported from Korea along with mugwort matcha, citron, and hojicha powders. It imports other teas from the Netherlands, France, and Japan. The café also offers a performance space for Korean music and hosts events and classes. Teahouse: 7112 Columbia Pk., Annandale; Kiosk: 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons
Runner-Up
Elden Street Tea Shop
714 Pine St., Herndon
Wine Bar
Winner
The Wine House
With over 500 wines from around the world, this is a paradise for oenophiles. It’s also an excellent spot for a wine-paired dinner, with a seafood-heavy menu and even a “Mussels Monday” night. Regular wine tastings and classes make it a destination you’ll want to return to. 3950 University Dr., Ste. 212, Fairfax
Runner-Up
Vino Bistro
1605 Village Market Blvd. SE, Ste. 100, Leesburg
Feature image courtesy Starr Hill Biergarten
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
