Old Town | ALXnow

Townhouse development pitched on vacant lot, barbershop site in Parker-Gray

Published March 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

Rendering of new development proposed for 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street in the Parker-Gray District (via City of Alexandria)

A proposed conversion of a vacant lot and a one-story barbershop in the Parker-Gray Historic District into five four-story townhomes is headed to city review.

Eric Bernstein and Kirby Holdings are proposing to build the homes at 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street, located at the intersection with Madison Street. The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review will conduct a public hearing on the concept review proposal at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Charles Houston Recreation Center, which is directly across the street from the site.

Around Town

March Madness in Alexandria: Where to watch and find deals

By Katie Taranto

Published March 17, 2026 at 10:30AM

Inside Don Taco (via Don Taco/Facebook)

Numerous restaurants and sports bars in Alexandria are gearing up for March Madness this week, with plans to offer specials on drinks and bites while the games play on.

Fans will get to see how their March Madness brackets fare when the NCAA men’s tournament’s first round begins Thursday (March 19) and women’s tournament follows on Friday (March 20). Games run until the final championship games on April 5 (women) and April 6 (men).

Around Town

The Commodore cuts ribbon on new Old Town dive bar

By Katie Taranto

Published March 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim pierce the ribbon on the new Commodore bar using a trident at 220 N. Lee Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Commodore, a self-described “five-star dive bar,” is now open for business in Old Town.

Owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim used a huge trident to pierce the ribbon on their new bar and restaurant at 220 N. Lee Street yesterday (Thursday). It was an on-brand move for the business, which is filled with nautical decor.

News

UPDATE: Power restored after Old Town outage affecting nearly 2,000 residents

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2026 at 11:15AM | Updated March 12, 2026 at 5:11PM

Dominion outage map on March 12, 2026 (via Dominion Energy)

UPDATE at 5 p.m. — As of Thursday evening, Dominion Energy’s outage map is no longer showing outages in Old Town.

Nearly 2,000 residents and businesses in Old Town were without power after an outage was reported just after 10 a.m. today (Thursday).

Around Town

‘Five-star dive bar’ The Commodore plans ribbon cutting in Old Town this week

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Commodore (220 N. Lee Street) owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim (courtesy of The Commodore)

A new restaurant self-described as a “five-star dive bar” will cut the ribbon at its new location in Old Town on Thursday.

The Commodore (220 N. Lee Street) is the second location for business partners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim, who also own The Commodore in D.C.’s Dupont Circle. The space was previously home to Mystic BBQ & Grill, which closed last fall after being open for a year and a half. Before that, it was home to Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ.

News

Dead raccoon in Old Town tests positive for rabies, health department says

By Katie Taranto

Published March 10, 2026 at 9:30AM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

A dead raccoon found in Old Town last week has tested positive for rabies, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

The animal was recovered after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town last Tuesday. It’s not confirmed if the raccoon was responsible for one or both of the attacks, “but the location and aggressive behavior line up with how a rabid raccoon in that area might act,” AHD said in an announcement yesterday (Monday).

Around Town

PHOTOS: St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Old Town for 43rd year

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

The Boyle School of Irish Dance at the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was a cool but clear day on Saturday as the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade passed through Old Town.

Dozens of pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups and local businesses marched along Alexandria’s historic streets for the event, which is hosted by the nonprofit Ballyshaners, Inc, whose name translates to “Old Towners” in Gaelic.

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‘Taco Bell DC 50K’ plans return to Alexandria after hundreds run in November fast food race

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2026 at 9:40AM

King Street Taco Bell Cantina (via Google Maps)

The Taco Bell DC 50K that passed through Alexandria for the first time in November is planning a comeback this fall.

About 500 people participated in last year’s Tex-Mex-fueled race, which is not sponsored by its titular fast food chain, but organized by local runners Phil Hargis and Mike Wardian. The 32.4-mile course takes runners and walkers to eight Taco Bell locations throughout Alexandria, Arlington, and D.C., where they are required to eat at least one menu item at every stop.

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Councilwoman Greene hosting free women’s health forum this weekend

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2026 at 2:30PM

School Board Member Jacinta Greene announces her candidacy for the Alexandria City Council at the Alexandria Democratic Committee meeting on Feb. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A free forum focused on women’s health is coming to the Charles Houston Recreation Center this weekend.

The EmpowerHer Women’s Health Forum will feature panel discussions, curated vendors and breakout sessions to discuss mental, sexual and reproductive health. The event will be held at the recreation center at 901 Wythe Street from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Around Town

Alexandria author serves up Hemingway-inspired Spanish cuisine in new cookbook

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2026 at 9:30AM

Alexandria author Howie Southworth with his latest book, "Hemingway's Spanish Table" (courtesy photo)

An Alexandria food and travel writer will soon unveil his latest cookbook, a culinary journey through Spain with recipes inspired by the works of writer Ernest Hemingway.

“Hemingway’s Spanish Table” is the eighth cookbook for writer Howie Southworth, following his locally inspired “A Taste of Alexandria,” a collection of recipes from the city’s restaurant scene, which was published in 2024.

News

Health officials suspect rabies after two people report raccoon attacks in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published March 4, 2026 at 2:30PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to be cautious around wildlife after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town yesterday (Tuesday).

According to AHD, two people said they were bitten by a raccoon near N. Henry Street, N. Patrick Street and Cameron Street in Old Town. It’s unclear if the bites came from the same raccoon, “but the incidents happened close together in time,” according to an AHD announcement this afternoon.