Old Town Cocktail Week 2026: The Mom's Guide to Every Spot
Old Town Cocktail Week 2026 will be held October 1–10, and if you’re a mom, you already know the real question isn’t “Where can I get a good cocktail?” It’s “Which spot is actually worth getting a sitter for?”
For 10 days, bars and restaurants throughout Old Town are celebrating cocktails with specialty drinks, cocktail classes, dinners, tastings and one very good excuse to get out of the house. This year’s lineup includes everything from intimate cocktail bars to neighborhood restaurants — so whether you’re planning a date night, girls’ night or a rare solo outing, there’s a spot for you.
Here’s your mom-to-mom guide to the 2026 lineup.
Think of Cocktail Week as an excuse to pick one or two places that fit the kind of night you actually want. Some are better for a quick drink after dinner, some are made for a full date night, and others are worth planning an entire evening around.
The Quick Sip
What: Old Town Cocktail Week 2026
When: Thursday, Oct 1 to Saturday, Oct 10
Where: Bars and restaurants across Old Town
What: Featured cocktails, classes, cocktail dinners and events
Who's behind it: Suntory Global Spirits with Captain Gregory's
How many: 11 spots so far, with more to come
Cost: Walk in for a featured drink, or buy a ticket for a dinner or event
For the date-night moms
Captain Gregory’s
804 N Henry St · North end, Parker-Gray area
If you’re getting a sitter, make it count. Captain Gregory’s is the intimate, speakeasy-style stop for a more elevated cocktail experience — and Cocktail Week is bringing several special events here, including an experimental cocktail night and a Scotch dinner.
Mocktail Mom Pick:
Dreamliner: A zero-proof daiquiri with passion fruit, fenugreek, lime and ginger root shrub
Lost at Sea: A zero-proof pisco sour with maple-chai orgeat, grapefruit, ginger and lemon, milk-washed and shaken
King & Rye
480 King St (inside The Alexandrian) · Lower King
Located inside The Alexandrian, King & Rye is a good pick when you want cocktails and dinner without having to make multiple stops. Cocktail Week programming includes a Chef’s Supper Club with Maker’s Mark (Oct. 1).
The Study at Morrison House
116 S Alfred St · Mid-King
A polished Old Town option for a drink that feels a little more grown-up without requiring a whole production. Add this one to your list for date night or a girls’ night when you want to linger.
For the girls’ night moms
The People’s Drug
103 N Alfred St · Mid-King
Just off King Street, The People’s Drug leans into its nostalgic drugstore-inspired concept while keeping the cocktail program creative. It’s a fun choice when you want somewhere with personality rather than another traditional cocktail bar.
Mocktail Moms Pick: Two $13 spirit-free drinks made with Seedlip
King’s Ransom
728 King St, 2nd floor (side door or stairs from The Handover) · Mid-King
Upstairs on King Street, King’s Ransom is the kind of place that works well for a smaller girls’ night — especially if your group is into whiskey, highballs and classic cocktails with a twist.
Casa Luna
300 King St (below Kisso Asian Bistro) · Lower King
For the moms who like their night out to feel a little mysterious, Casa Luna is a hidden, speakeasy-inspired cocktail lounge beneath King Street. Think dim lighting, creative cocktails and a late-night vibe.
For the “I only have two hours” moms
Chop Shop Taco
1008 Madison St · Parker-Gray
Cocktail Week doesn’t have to mean an entire evening. Pair a cocktail with tacos at Chop Shop Taco and call it a night — especially if you’re working around bedtime.
Majestic
911 King St · Upper King
The Majestic is one of the easiest options for a mom who wants a proper dinner and a good cocktail in the same place. Its King Street location also makes it easy to continue the evening with a walk if you have a little extra time.
Virtue Feed & Grain
106 S Union St · Waterfront
Right near the waterfront, Virtue is a great option when you want a more relaxed Old Town evening. Grab a cocktail, order something to share and take advantage of the waterfront setting.
Mocktail Mom Pick: Four $9 mocktails, plus 0.0% beers
For the cocktail-obsessed moms
Captain Gregory’s
804 N Henry St · North end, Parker-Gray area
Yes, Captain Gregory's gets another mention. If you genuinely love cocktails — not just the excuse to leave the house — this is one to prioritize. Its Cocktail Week schedule includes an experimental cocktail night built around modern techniques and interpretations of classics.
The People’s Drug
103 N Alfred St · Mid-King
The People's Drug is a destination for creative drinks, a distinctive setting and plenty of personality make this another strong pick for cocktail lovers.
Vermilion
1120 King St · Upper King
Vermilion brings the food-and-cocktail combination, making it a good choice if your ideal night involves a full meal alongside a thoughtfully made drink.
For the moms who want something a little different
Chadwicks
203 Strand St · Waterfront
A longtime Old Town favorite, Chadwicks brings a more casual neighborhood feel to Cocktail Week. This is the one for when you want to get out without making the night feel overly fancy.
Josephine
109 S St. Asaph St · Mid-King
Josephine gives you the polished Old Town experience — a good choice for a dinner reservation that turns into cocktails afterward.
Casa Luna
300 King St (below Kisso Asian Bistro) · Lower King
The underground setting alone makes this one feel different from your average night out. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels like a destination, put Casa Luna on the list.
The event you should know about: Art on the Rocks
If you only pick one Cocktail Week event, Art on the Rocks is the one to know about.
Taking place Thursday, October 8 at The Alexandrian from 6–8:30 p.m., the event brings local mixologists and chefs together to create cocktail-and-appetizer pairings inspired by artwork from local Art League artists. Guests can sample the creations and vote for their favorite.
The 2026 lineup includes Bar 86, Chop Shop Taco, Josephine, Captain Gregory’s, The People’s Drug, King’s Ransom, The Majestic, Vermillion, Hank’s Oyster Bar, King & Rye and The Study.
Ticketed Nights to Save
Oct 1: Chef's Supper Club at King & Rye. A 6-course Southern dinner with Maker's Mark pours and cocktails
Oct 5: Experimental Cocktail Night at Captain Gregory's with Empirical Spirits. Classic cocktails remade with science and technique
Oct 6: Fire, Smoke & Salt Scotch Dinner at Captain Gregory's with Laphroaig and Bowmore. Four courses that work for scotch fans and skeptics
Oct 8: Art on the Rocks at The Alexandrian, 6–8:30pm. Try up to 10 cocktail and appetizer pairings inspired by local art and vote for your favorite. It benefits The Art League
All week: Tattoo Cocktail Menu at Captain Gregory's with Madison Street Tattoo
The Old Town Cocktail Week 2026 Master List
The Alexandrian
Address: 480 King St · Lower King
Cocktail Week: Hosts Art on the Rocks, Thu Oct 8, 6–8:30pm. Try up to 10 cocktail + bite pairings and vote for your favorite. Benefits The Art League (Eventbrite)
Instagram: @thealexandrianhotel
Mom note: Count it as a night out and a donation to a local arts nonprofit
Bar 86
Address: 215 S Union St · Waterfront
Hours: Tue–Thu 6–10:30pm, Fri–Sat 6pm–1am, Sun 5–10pm (OpenTable)
Cocktail Week: One of the bars mixing at Art on the Rocks
Vibe: Experimental craft cocktail speakeasy with a tiki feel (Visit Alexandria, ALXnow)
Mom note: By day it's Café du Soleil, with coffee, croissants + crepes. That's breakfast and a night out from the same address.
Captain Gregory's
Address: 804 N Henry St · North end, Parker-Gray area
Hours: Seatings Tue–Thu 5–9:15pm, Fri–Sat 5–10:15pm (Captain Gregory's)
Cocktail Week:
Tattoo Cocktail Menu with Madison Street Tattoo, all week
Experimental Cocktail Night, Mon Oct 5
Fire, Smoke & Salt Scotch Dinner, Tue Oct 6 (Captain Gregory's)
Instagram: @captaingregorys
Mom note: Book a seating ahead. Walking in hoping for a spot doesn't work here.
Casa Luna
Address: 300 King St (below Kisso Asian Bistro) · Lower King
Hours: Fri–Sat 5:30pm–2am (Casa Luna). Weeknights from 6pm, with weekday happy hour 6–8pm (Casa Luna on Instagram)
Instagram: @casa.luna.oldtown
Mom note: The temaki sushi "tacos" are just right for sharing
Chadwicks
Address: 203 Strand St · Waterfront
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–2am, Sat–Sun 10am–2am (Chadwicks)
Deal: Happy hour Mon–Thu 4–7pm, with about $5 beer, $6 wine, $5 spirits + $8 food (DC Happy Hours)
Instagram: @chadwicksalexva
Mom note: A casual waterfront spot that's easy to stop into after a stroller walk
Chop Shop Taco
Address: 1008 Madison St · Parker-Gray
Hours: Mon–Thu 12–10pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–12am, Sun 11am–9pm (Chop Shop Taco)
Deal: Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–7pm
Instagram: @chopshoptaco
Mom note: No reservations, it's first come, first served. Go early with a big group.
Hank's Oyster Bar
Address: 818 N St. Asaph St · North end, Parker-Gray area
Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm. Brunch Fri–Sun 11am–3:30pm (Hank's)
Deal: Oyster happy hour Mon–Fri 4–6pm
Cocktail Week: One of the bars mixing at Art on the Rocks
Instagram: @hanksoysterbar
Mom note: Reservations get first dibs on the rooftop and patio (Hank's)
Josephine
Address: 109 S St. Asaph St · Mid-King
Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm (OpenTable). Brunch Sat–Sun 10am–2:30pm
Deal: Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–6pm, with $6 drafts, $7 wine + $8 select cocktails (Josephine)
Instagram: @josephineoldtown
Mom note: Happy hour also runs on the patio
King & Rye
Address: 480 King St (inside The Alexandrian) · Lower King
Hours: Breakfast daily. Dinner Tue–Sun from 5pm. Sat 8am–2pm, Sun 8am–3pm (King & Rye)
Cocktail Week: Chef's Supper Club with Maker's Mark was Oct 1
Instagram: @kingandryerestaurant
Mom note: One of the few spots on this list where the kids can come along for breakfast
King's Ransom
Address: 728 King St, 2nd floor (side door or stairs from The Handover) · Mid-King
Hours: Mon–Thu 6pm–12am, Fri–Sat 6pm–1am, Sun 4–10pm. 21+ only (King's Ransom)
Cocktail Week: One of the bars mixing at Art on the Rocks
Instagram: @kingsransom.alx
Mom note: Best for a date night with a sitter. Kids can't come.
The Majestic
Address: 911 King St · Upper King
Hours: Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30am–3pm. Dinner Mon–Sat 3–11pm, Sun 3–10pm. Brunch Sat–Sun 10am–3pm (The Majestic)
Deal: Majestic Hour Mon–Fri 3–7pm, at the bar (The Majestic)
Instagram: @themajesticva
Mom note: Majestic Hour runs until 7pm, so you can go after daycare pickup
The People's Drug
Address: 103 N Alfred St · Mid-King
Hours: Every day, 11am–midnight (The People's Drug)
Instagram: @thepeoplesdrug
Mom note: Has a patio and is open all day, so it's easy to fit in
The Study
Address: Morrison House, 116 S Alfred St · Mid-King
Hours: Wed–Sat, 5–10pm (Morrison House)
Instagram: @thestudyalx
Mom note: Quiet enough to finish a conversation
Vermilion
Address: 1120 King St · Upper King
Hours: Bar nightly from 4pm, dinner from 5pm, closed Mondays. Brunch Sat–Sun 10:30am–2:30pm (Vermilion)
Deal: Happy hour Tue–Fri 4–6pm (OpenTable)
Instagram: @vermilionva
Mom note: The bar + lounge is first come, first served, so it's good for last-minute plans
Virtue Feed & Grain
Address: 106 S Union St · Waterfront
Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm (Tripadvisor). Brunch Sat–Sun 10am–2pm (Virtue)
Deal: Wine Down Wednesdays, with half-off select bottles (Virtue)
Instagram: @virtuefeedgrain
Mom note: Tables have a two-hour limit, so plan your sitter time around it
Partners: Madison Street Tattoo (@madisonstreettattoo) is behind the Tattoo Cocktail Menu. The Art League (@theartleague) benefits from Art on the Rocks.
Hours and deals are from each business's own site or listing as of Oct 3. They can change during event weeks, so check before you book a sitter.
