A new speakeasy is opening next month in Alexandria.
After a year in development, Bar 86 will open next month at Café du Soleil. The Tiki bar is the work of owner Chef Samuel Darlo and consultants Jacob Sunny and Kelvin Sone, the latter two having recently finished work at the new Madam Coco Emporium at 115 S. Royal Street.
When it opens in mid-October, Bar 86 will operate out of a new space that Darlo previously used for storage. The bar will open Tuesday to Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. — opening an hour after Café du Soleil closes.
“After COVID ended, the nightlife literally just disappeared in Old Town,” Sone said. “We want to have a nightlife, because most of the time when I want to go out, I have to go to D.C.”
The speakeasy will feature small-plate exotic flavors from Morocco, France, and Polynesia, alongside a rotating seasonal cocktail menu. The venue offers 50 seats, including eight seats at a newly built bar, and will employ five staffers. There will also be no televisions at the bar.
“We don’t want to have another bar just making drinks,” Sunny said. “We want to give customers an experience.”
The grand opening of Bar 86 will be announced on their Instagram.
