alcohol | ALXnow

Published May 3, 2022 at 2:15PM

The countdown to Cinco de Mayo has begun, and a number of Alexandria’s watering holes are offering special deals for residents and guests to fiesta in style.

All week, Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street) is gearing up for the big day on Thursday (May 5). Customers can get free queso with every order on Monday, $4 bottled beer today (Tuesday) and $8 nachos on Wednesday. On Thursday, the party begins at 9 a.m. with margaritas on sale for 5 cents until 10 a.m., followed by an outdoor party until 8 p.m.

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Alexandria proposes extending emergency business relief to June 30

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2022 at 9:30AM

Local businesses will have until the summer to enjoy the fruits of a temporary program that has allowed restaurants to provide curbside pickups, suspend regular operating hours and sell alcohol to-go.

City Council, on Saturday, will consider extending the temporary relief program to local businesses from April 1 to June 30, and expire along with the city’s state of emergency that same day.

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Wine shop ‘Le Vintage’ opening Tuesday on King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated January 31, 2022 at 4:08PM

Le Vintage Wine Shop at 1218 King Street in Old Town. (Courtesy photo)a

You won’t find Zoom wine tastings at Le Vintage Wine Shop.

The new shop is opening at 1218 King Street on Tuesday, and owner Benjamin Kuna says there’s something about an in-person tasting that gives the experience an extra kick.

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Musical pop-ups: “Tiki” pop-up bar opening next week in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published January 18, 2022 at 1:00PM

Ready for a Mangorita? Tiki, a new pop-up bar will open next week at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue.

The former longtime home to The Sushi Bar was briefly converted into the Christmas-themed pop-up bar Joy On The Avenue, and more pop-ups at the location are being planned as plans for the final concept fall into place. For now, bamboo decorations are being put in place and Tiki masks have been painted on the walls.

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Driving Under the Influence arrests jump 34% so far this year in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2021 at 2:15PM

With two celebration-filled weeks left in the year, there has been a 34% jump in the number of Driving Under the Influence arrests in 2021 over last year.

As of Dec. 7, there have been 193 DUI arrests in Alexandria, up from 144 last year — a period when police minimized traffic enforcement, and restaurants and bars were still largely closed indoors due to the pandemic.

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JUST IN: The Sushi Bar closing in Del Ray, reopening soon as Christmas-themed pop-up bar

By James Cullum

Published December 7, 2021 at 1:00PM

The Sushi Bar at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue is closing for good tonight (Dec. 7), and will soon reopen as a Christmas-themed pop-up bar, owner Bill Blackburn informed ALXnow.

“Joy On The Avenue – A Christmas Pop-up Bar” will open in its place sometime next week, Blackburn said.

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Man arrested for DWI, smashing cars and leaving scene while parking in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published November 2, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated November 4, 2021 at 3:41PM

Police car lights (file photo)

A Fairfax County man was arrested and released multiple traffic offenses in Old Town on Oct. 10, including driving while intoxicated, driving under a revoked/suspended license and two counts of failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The 59-year-old suspect allegedly hit three vehicles and drove off while attempting to park in front of The Light Horse Restaurant at 715 King Street, according to a search warrant affidavit.

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Old Town’s Don Taco says fast tacos and to-go drinks are its recipe for success

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated October 14, 2021 at 3:55PM

It takes less than five minutes to make most orders at Don Taco. The restaurant and tequila bar at 808 King Street also claims to make the best margaritas in Old Town, and that combination of making quick to-go orders with alcoholic drinks to wash it all down has been their secret to success during the pandemic.

“There’s not much of a profit margin on food costs,” Don Taco’s General Manager Tracey Deiderich told ALXnow. “As far as alcohol is concerned, that’s where restaurants make most of their money. Allowing restaurants to do this just weeks after we had to shut down was a huge success.”

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Woman charged with DWI, leaving the scene of accident in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated September 29, 2021 at 11:36AM

Alexandria Police in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A 25-year-old Alexandria woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in Old Town earlier this month.

The incident occurred in the 800 block of Duke Street at around 2 a.m. on September 13. A man called 911 and reported that a woman driving a white Honda hit a parked car on the side of the road, swerved and almost hit him and then hit another parked vehicle, according to police.

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Total Wine is taking shape in Potomac Yard

By James Cullum

Published September 28, 2021 at 1:00PM

Even though it’s still boarded up, Total Wine & More is hiring at its Potomac Yard location.

The 18,000 square foot property at 3901 Richmond Highway is the former home of Pier 1 Imports, which closed in March 2020.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2021 at 5:00AM

Artist Katherine Campagna creates a new mural at Pacers Running at 1301 King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria celebrating PARK(ing) Day — “On Sep 17, the City will celebrate PARK(ing) Day, a worldwide event promoting public green space in urban areas by temporarily reclaiming several on-street parking spaces, transforming them into imaginative park spaces, or ‘parklets.’” [Twitter]

Old Town Cocktail Week starts September 10 — “Old Town Cocktail Week is September 10-19! Sip creative cocktails and join themed events, seminars and celebrations.” [Twitter]