News

New speakeasy in Old Town leads this week’s top stories

By James Cullum
(Left to right) Jacob Sunny, owner Chef Samuel Darlo, and Kelvin Sone at Bar 86, a speakeasy, is opening in October at Café du Soleil at 215 S. Union Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

We made it to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at our most-read stories this week.

Our top story is on a new speakeasy Bar 86 opening next month at Café du Soleil (215 S. Union Street) in Old Town. The Tiki bar has been in development for a year, and is the work of owner Chef Samuel Darlo and consultants Jacob Sunny and Kelvin Sone.

The speakeasy will feature small-plate exotic flavors from Morocco, France, and Polynesia, alongside a rotating seasonal cocktail menu. The grand opening of Bar 86 will be announced on their Instagram.

“We don’t want to have another bar just making drinks,” Sunny said. “We want to give customers an experience.”

A rendering of the 275-unit, seven-story work force housing multifamily building on Block D of the former Landmark Mall property, as seen from the northeast (via City of Alexandria)

Our number-two post this week is on a proposal to build a 275-unit workforce housing multifamily apartment building on the southwest portion of the sprawling WestEnd development.

Plans for the seven-story development from landowner Foulger Pratt and its partner Landmark Holdings LLC call for a seven-story structure with 210 parking spaces (a reduction from the 327 required spaces), with 80% of the units available for between 80% and 120% area median income.

The proposal heads to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Oct. 9.

A moped driver suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash at around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2025 (via Google Maps)

Our third top story is on an adult male driving a moped, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash with an SUV Monday morning (Sept. 1) near Potomac Yard. The driver of the SUV, a silver Honda, stayed at the scene and was charged with reckless driving, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

The crash was reported at around 9:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Richmond Highway near Fannon Street. The moped driver was thrown from his bike, according to the police scanner. APD later told ALXnow that the moped driver was in stable condition.

Fall Farmers Market. (Photo credit Cade Martin for Visit Alexandria)

It’s starting to feel like fall in Alexandria.

If you’re looking for something fun to do, check out our comprehensive listing of events throughout the city.

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Tiki speakeasy Bar 86 to open in Alexandria next month (10462 views)
  2. 275-unit workforce housing project at former Landmark Mall site goes to Planning Commission (5870 views)
  3. SUV driver charged with reckless driving after moped rider suffers life-threatening injuries in Labor Day crash (5085 views)
  4. Alexandria’s fall scene: New restaurants, art festivals and historic experiences kick off September (4958 views)
  5. Fatal single-vehicle crash claims life of Maryland woman on I-495 (4382 views)
  6. Emergency water main repairs in Alexandria could disrupt service overnight (2706 views)
  7. Alexandria mayor clarifies Flock camera policies amid immigration enforcement concerns (2310 views)

Have a safe weekend!

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.