Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center – Bar Crawl

Alexandria has so much to offer its visitors. After a visit to Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, you may want to cross the Potomac River to enjoy some of the attractions found in this historic city.

A popular group activity in any city is a bar crawl. Old Town Alexandria is packed full with so many lively bars and homey pubs along King Street that you may not have time for all of them. Our itinerary provides a glimpse into the energy of Alexandria’s bar scene with a sequential path down the main road.

Each of our stops is no more than a few minutes from the last, and you’ll only have to walk a total of 12 minutes the entire time. While these eight bars are close to each other, do you think you can make it all the way through?

Union Street Public House

You’ll start your tour off at Union Street Public House, which is just 13 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. This waterfront restaurant has great views and plenty of food options to fill up before you embark on this journey.

This brick, warehouse-like building with picture windows has existed in Alexandria since as early as 1790. 200 years later, the warehouse received an extensive renovation, and Union Street Public House was opened in 1986.

This expansive building consists of four lots throughout South Union Street: The Taproom, Grill Room, Regatta Room, and Whiskey Bar. The Taproom is a great cocktail bar in a historical building and the perfect place to begin your bar crawl. The spacious area contains a large bar made of dark, polished wood. The Taproom’s tin ceiling is just as impressive with its intricate details.

The bar has plenty of beer on tap, but you may want to check out the “Rare & Interesting” section on The Taproom menu. You can get drink flights, bourbon, tequila, rum, vodka, and 10 types of whiskey. It’s an exemplary Old Town Alexandria establishment.

Hi-Tide Lounge

Your next stop is Hi-Tide Lounge, just a one-minute walk from Union Street Public House. Located inside Vola’s Dockside Restaurant, this cozy bar is off the beaten path. Hi-Tide’s funky furnishings include retro decor and comfortable seats and couches. The small bar feels spacious with its huge windows, perfect to watch the action of Old Town. This little escape of a bar is located only 14 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

At Hi-Tide you have your choice of signature cocktails, tiki drinks, and of course wine and craft beer. Their namesake cocktail, The Hi-Tide, contains Bacardi rum, New Amsterdam gin, melon, honey, and lemongrass-ginger syrup. The Roses on Mars cocktail is made of cacao rum, Bacardi, berry syrup, and lime juice. Rosé lovers will enjoy the Frozé, made of frozen, sparkling rosé with strawberry syrup and lime juice.

Fish Market Restaurant & The Anchor Bar

Just a minute from Hi-Tide Lounge is Fish Market Restaurant, which is home to your next stop. The Anchor Bar is a spacious location inside the restaurant with no shortage of drinks. Try one of their draft beers, which The Anchor Bar serves in their signature Schooner glass. Or you could try one of their 40-plus bottled beers, multitude of margaritas, ciders, and cocktails.

The Anchor Bar’s cocktail list includes Old Town Irish Coffee made with Jameson whiskey, Bailey’s Irish cream, and butterscotch schnapps, and The Copper Schooner, which contains your choice of either grapefruit or honey habanero moonshine with ginger beer.

Sports fans will love their six HD televisions that have access to MLB, NFL, and Big Ten games. Join the lively atmosphere on Fridays and Saturdays when The Anchor Bar has a live DJ. This location is only 14 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and right across the street from your next stop.

Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar

Stepping into Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar is like being transported to a pub in the heart of Dublin, even though you’re only 14 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Its location on King Street makes it a sought-after destination, and it’s usually filled with locals hanging out to have a casual drink.

Daniel O’Connell’s top-notch atmosphere is created by their cozy fireplaces, live music, and impressive collection of Irish antiques. You can get a great view of Alexandria on their upstairs patio, or snuggle into one of their nooks.

Daniel O’Connell’s has happy hour every weekday, and celebrations for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. While you’re enjoying drinks, try the Irish Egg Roll filled with corned beef, cabbage, and cheddar. When you’re ready for your next stop, all you have to do is cross the street.

Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar

Your next stop, Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar, is 13 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, but just seconds from Daniel O’Connell’s.

Here you can fuel up with a slice of pizza while hanging out at Bugsy’s upstairs sports bar. This bar has fantastic happy hour deals, including $5 appetizers, and you may want to check out Bugsy’s Brew, their homemade beer. Since Bugsy’s is a sports bar, they feature giant TVs throughout that fans will enjoy.

Bayou Room

Two minutes down King Street is Bayou Room. This hidden gem located in the basement of Two NineTeen Restaurant, and visitors are guided down the stairs by a neon sign. Bayou Room is a cool, cave-like atmosphere with faux-stained glass windows and colored lights throughout.

This hole-in-the-wall bar has happy hour seven days a week and a live DJ five days a week. Bayou Room features Old Town’s only dance floor, which is regularly filled with partygoers. If the crowd gets too overwhelming, head upstairs to Basin St. Lounge. Basin St. Lounge has live music every night, a hand-picked selection of cigars, and an extensive whiskey list. This multi-tiered experience is just a 14-minute drive from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub

Your next stop is a six-minute walk away from Bayou Room, which is the longest distance you’ll have to walk between bars, but that’s not saying much. Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub is a classic tavern with a down to earth atmosphere. Your entire group will relax among lively patrons while indulging in Murphy’s traditional food and drinks. Murphy’s was opened by a group of friends and family members in 1978, and that friendliness is present to this day.

There are events regularly taking place, so you’ll never be bored. Murphy’s features live music every night and an energetic trivia night every Tuesday. Other past events have included whiskey and beer flight sampling and a “Pour the Perfect Pint” contest. Murphy’s is also a great place to catch a game. They have all New England sports on their televisions, including NFL, college football, hockey, and baseball games. This traditional Irish pub is only 12 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, and right next door to your next and final stop.

The Light Horse

The last stop on our list, The Light Horse, is just a few steps from Murphy’s. The Light Horse contains two bars to choose from, each with a distinct ambiance.

The newly renovated downstairs bar has a sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere. This bright, stylish extension to the restaurant features tables made of former barn wood with brick walls painted white. The centerpiece is an incredible, almost 40-foot wood bar.

One of the cocktails you can order from this bar is called the Pixie Rainbow Fancy Bubbles. This quirky concoction combines champagne, gin, edible glitter, and a house-made sugar cube.

The bar upstairs has a slightly different vibe, featuring shuffleboard, karaoke, and more than 10 televisions to watch a game. This casual hangout is the perfect place to relax. The Light Horse’s upstairs bar is bustling and energetic whenever a game is on or there is a live musical performance.

Either place you choose to hang out, The Light Horse is the perfect place to end your tour, just 10 minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

So you’ve made it! You’ve successfully finished our Alexandria bar crawl itinerary. As you can see, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is the perfect place to be if you’d like to have a night, or day, out on the town.