Around Town | ALXnow

Croatian stamp exhibit unveiled in Alexandria as city prepares to host Team Croatia during World Cup

Published May 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rare Croatian stamps will be on display at the Torpedo Factory Art Center this week as part of a cultural exchange with Croatia, as Alexandria is expected to host the country’s national soccer team base camp during the 2026 World Cup.

The exhibit marks the first time that the stamp collection, “Discover Croatia: A Journey Through Tiny Windows of History,” has been moved outside of its home country. The exhibit by the Croatian Post and the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs was unveiled yesterday (Monday) at a ceremony with Croatian Ambassador to the U.S. Pjer Šimunović and Mayor Alyia Gaskins.

Annual ALX Craft Beer Festival coming to Atlas Brew Works this month

By Katie Taranto

Published May 5, 2026 at 11:50AM | Updated May 5, 2026 at 1:04PM

Atlas Brew Works beer (courtesy of Atlas Brew Works)

Several regional breweries will come together later this month for the annual ALX Craft Beer Festival, offering a taste of their signature brews.

The festival will feature a variety of ale, lager, pilsner and other beers from local makers, including host Atlas Brew Works. The festival is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Atlas Alexandria Brewery & Tap Room at 2429 Mandeville Lane.

Live music, 5-cent margaritas featured at Cinco de Mayo events in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2026 at 3:45PM

A margarita at Tequila & Taco at 540 John Carlyle Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Taco Tuesday this week promises to be something special in Alexandria as it coincides with Cinco de Mayo.

At Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street), the celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 begins with 5-cent frozen margaritas from 9-10 a.m. The restaurant will also give out hundreds of straw sombreros and allow outdoor patio drinking until 10 p.m.

Hank’s Pasta Bar launching dine-in service in Old Town this week

By Katie Taranto

Published May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM

Hank's Pasta Bar in Old Town (courtesy of Deb Lindsey Photography)

An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.

Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.

Spring Maker’s Market and block party among May 2-3 weekend events in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published May 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Made in ALX Spring Maker's Market at Port City Brewing Co. (via Made in ALX)

There’s much to do in Alexandria on this first weekend of May.

If you haven’t gotten Mother’s Day gifts yet, there are several shopping events to pick something out for Mom. There’s also an America250 concert and Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser at Lee-Fendall House.

Crooked Beat Records closing this weekend in Del Ray as store plans new location

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Crooked Beat Records is closing at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on May 3, 2026 (via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

After spending months recovering from flooding, Crooked Beat Records is closing its Del Ray basement location for the last time this Sunday (May 3).

Store owner Bill Daly and his staff were forced to close the store after catastrophic flooding in the building at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on Jan. 11. The business closed briefly after losing an estimated $60,000 of merchandise, of which $23,500 was recovered through a GoFundMe campaign. The store reopened at the end of February.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Bugsy, who can make veggies vanish like magic

By Emily Leayman

Published May 1, 2026 at 9:15AM

Bugsy, an adoptable guinea pig at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

Meet Bugsy, a guinea pig doubling as an aspiring magician who can make her favorite veggies disappear.

Bugsy is a white and brown guinea pig awaiting her forever family at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. She’s ready to dazzle people with her food vanishing talents.

Old Town boutiques to host block party with pop-ups and activities this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published April 30, 2026 at 9:30AM

A 'Shop Local' sign in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A block party involving numerous independent boutiques is coming to Old Town this weekend.

The Old Town Boutique Community, an organization of 30 small businesses in Old Town, will host the Spring Fling: An Old Town Block Party, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (May 2). The family-friendly block party will feature activities for all ages, including tarot card readings, build-your-own flower bouquets and other hands-on crafts, outdoor yoga sessions and snow cones.

Old Town’s Il Porto to celebrate rebrand with ‘Renaissance’ dinner tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published April 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Il Porto Ristorante on King Street (via Google Maps)

A longtime Italian restaurant in Old Town is celebrating its rebranding with a special dinner tomorrow night (Thursday).

Il Porto Ristorante is working on “refreshing the brand” at 121 King Street, with plans for a new logo, revised website and updated menus “to reflect a more modern look while staying true to what Il Porto has always been,” a spokesperson told ALXnow.

Del Ray’s First Thursday dates reduced as citizens association takes over event

By Emily Leayman

Published April 29, 2026 at 8:30AM

First Thursday in Del Ray (via Del Ray Business Association/Facebook)

This will be the first year the Del Ray Business Association is not hosting First Thursday block parties since it founded the event nearly 30 years ago.

Del Ray’s First Thursdays have been turned over to the Del Ray Citizens Association, which runs other neighborhood events such as last weekend’s Del Ray GardenFest and the upcoming Del Ray House and Garden Tour on Saturday, May 9.

Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine

By Katie Taranto

Published April 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Soomin Kim leads a Virginialicious tour (courtesy of Virginialicious)

An Alexandria-based food tour company is celebrating two years of teaching people about the local Korean culinary scene.

Alexandria resident Soomin “Mina” Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.