Old Town Cocktail Week Serves Up Creative Libations In September

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A week-long celebration of all things involving cocktails will return for a second year to Old Town Alexandria. Old Town Businesses will host the Old Town Cocktail Week from Sept. 10 to 19.

Participating restaurants around Old Town will hold the 10-day festivities to celebrate the growing cocktail community. Along with creative libations offered at participating restaurants, Alexandria's boutiques, historic sites and other places will join in with special events.

Old Town Cocktail Week will kick off with Art on the Rocks, hosted by The Art League at the Torpedo Factory Art Center on Sept. 10 at Waterfront Park. The week will end with a Meet the Makers Tasting Event at Market Square on Sept. 19. All events will be ticketed or require reservations for health and safety reasons.

Below are details for the Old Town Cocktail Week events and participating restaurants. For tickets and more information, visit www.oldtownbusiness.org/old-town-cocktail.

Art on the Rocks at Waterfront Park: Friday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The official kickoff to Old Town Cocktail week challenges local mixologists and chefs to each create the most artistic cocktail and appetizer pairing, inspired by a piece of art by a local Art League artist. The event is a fundraiser for the local arts community while spotlighting local bar restaurants. Ticketed attendees can sample the pairings and vote for their favorite during the event. A panel of experts will crown the winners of the most creative cocktail, appetizer and artwork pairing, and announce the crowd favorite.

Wellness Weekends During Old Town Cocktail Week on the Water with Barre3, co-Hosted by EYA - Robinson Landing: Sept. 11, 12, 18, 19, class times at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Enjoy a workout Barre3 encompassing 45 minutes of strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness with postures and movements that can be adapted for everyone. Bring a yoga mat and an optional set of handheld weights. Giveaways and mocktails will follow each class. Registration and a class fee are required.

Come Aboard Tall Ship Providence with Captain Gregory’s: Sunday, Sept. 12, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn about seaside culture and the history of rum aboard Tall Ship Providence. Enjoy tasting and entertainment from Captain Gregory’s.

Yappy Hour at King & Rye, Passionately Pets, and the Animal Welfare League: Monday, Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bring your dog to King & Rye to enjoy music in the outdoor Cocktail Garden as guests drink and dine. Local pet boutique Passionately Pets will pop up to get your pup a cocktail-themed toy.

Cocktail Seminars: Sept. 13 to 16

• Sept. 13: The Art of Making a Margarita at Chop Shop Taco - The Margarita has proven to be the most popular cocktail in the world, and for good reason. Join to experience every expression of tequila with spirits expert McGarrit Franco of Pernod Ricard. Learn about each tequila, the history of The Margarita, the importance of citrus and fresh-squeezed juices and how to recreate them at home.
• Sept. 14: Explore the World of Tiki Cocktails at Chadwicks - There may be a few things that come to mind when you think tiki: coconuts, bamboo, tropical flavors, rum — but there is a rich history to be discovered. Visit Chadwicks to experience the flavors of Tiki and why modern culture continues to love it.
• Sept. 15: Elegant Evening with Manhattan at Bastille - Contrary to the popularized phrase, this classic cocktail is stirred—not shaken. Learn about the important details in crafting a Manhattan at home through variations of the cocktail from our Catoctin spirit specialist. Become familiar with fortified wines, amaro and bitters to step up mixing confidence. The menu comes from Jon Schott of King’s Ransom and Jacob Sunny of Bastille Brasserie & Bar.
• Sept. 16: The Long and Winding History of the Old Fashion Cocktail at Virtue Feed & Grain - With the guidance of a Beam Suntory spirits expert, experience the intricacies and differences of four variations of the Old Fashioned cocktail using unique spirits in each. Learn about its evolution throughout history and how to recreate your favorite recipe at home.

Movie Night on King Street, presented by Jack Taylor Toyota: Friday, Sept. 17: "Cocktail" starring Tom Cruise, Saturday, Sept. 18: "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart

Enjoy two classic movies while enjoying drinks and pop-up bites for sale by Bittersweet Catering on site. Bring your own chairs or blanket. Dogs are not allowed. Reservations are required. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. The movies will be held in the parking lot at 910 King Street.

Meet the Makers at Market Square: Sunday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate Virginia Spirits Month and Bourbon Heritage Month as Old Town closes out cocktail week. Eight different spirit makers will be at Market Square for the community to enjoy getting to know the specialists with their favorite flavors. At each booth, guests will have a chance to hear from the makers about the spirit they have brought to taste and how it mixes in a well-crafted cocktail. Small bites will be provided by Bittersweet Catering with the purchase of a ticket. Participating distilleries will be Catoctin Creek, KO Distilling, Cirrus, Filibuster, Tarnished Truth, Smooth Ambler Spirits, FEW Spirits and Maker’s Mark.

Participating restaurants in Old Town Cocktail Week

• Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden
• Bastille
• Blackwall Hitch
• Brabo
• Cafe 44
• Captain Gregory’s
• Chadwicks
• Chop Shop Taco
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Pub
• Fish Market
• Hard Times Cafe
• Hi-Tide Lounge
• King & Rye
• Kings Ransom
• The Light Horse
• The Majestic
• Murphy’s Irish Pub
• Tequila & Taco
• The People’s Drug
• Theismann’s Restaurant
• Union Street Public House
• Village Brauhaus
• Virtue Feed & Grain
• The Warehouse
• Whiskey & Oyster