Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileOld Hat Bar
Alexandria, VA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Old Hat Bar's happy hour delivers serious value: a Belle Jardin Brut Champagne Cocktail for $7, a Bourbon Old Fashioned for $10, and a Nadamichelada that packs a shot of Evan Williams or Libelula. The cocktail menu earns community praise for creativity and rotation, with espresso martinis singled out. Knowledgeable bartenders and a proper Manhattan add to the appeal. A compact but smart program.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Champagne Cocktail—Belle Jardin Brut and aromatic syrup for $7. For a classic, the Bourbon Old Fashioned at $10 is solid. The Nadamichelada, with Miller Lite, citrus syrup, and a shot of Evan Williams or Libelula, is a playful choice. Spirit and Soda offers a range of base spirits for $7.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative, rotating drinks and well-made classics. Happy hour hunters will appreciate the low prices and the generous pours mentioned by guests. Those who value bartender expertise will find knowledgeable staff, as reviewers note.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy hour cocktails range from $7 to $10, with wine at $7, beer at $4–$5, and spirits at $7–$8.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The rotating cocktail menu and the Nadamichelada—a beer cocktail with a full shot of bourbon or tequila—set Old Hat Bar apart. The happy hour pricing is aggressive, and the spirit selection for Spirit and Soda is unusually broad for the price.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Classic execution is evidenced by a proper Manhattan. Happy hour offers a Belle Jardin Brut Champagne Cocktail and a Bourbon Old Fashioned at sharp prices.
Menu strengths
- — Creative and rotating menu with standout espresso martinis (community).
- — Knowledgeable bartenders (community).; Proper Manhattan made to the top (community).
Standout selections
- — Champagne Cocktail: Belle Jardin Brut, aromatic syrup, $7.
- — Bourbon Old Fashioned, $10.; Espresso martini (community standout).
Pricing: Champagne Cocktail $7, Bourbon Old Fashioned $10 (happy hour)
Wine
Wine program is minimal but functional, offering house white and red at a fair $7 during happy hour. No specific varietals or regions are detailed; evidence is limited to these two options.
Standout selections
- — House White, $7.; House Red, $7.
Pricing: House White and House Red $7 each (happy hour)
Beer
Beer selection is basic, with a draft lager and a beer of the day at very reasonable prices. No craft or specialty options are evidenced, but the low cost is a draw for happy hour.
Standout selections
- — Draft Lager, $5.; Beer of the Day, $4.
Pricing: Draft Lager $5, Beer of the Day $4 (happy hour)
Spirits
Spirits program shows breadth in the Spirit and Soda choice, featuring six distinct spirits including bourbon, rye, tequila, rum, gin, and vodka. The Nadamichelada adds a creative twist with a full shot. Pricing is aggressive.
Menu strengths
- — Wide selection of spirits for Spirit and Soda.
Standout selections
- — Spirit and Soda: choice of Bombaby Dry Gin, Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon, Wild Turkey Rye 101, Libelula Tequila, Plantation 3 Stars Rum, or Sobieski Vodka, $7.
- — Nadamichelada: Miller Lite, citrus syrup, shot of Evan Williams or Libelula, $8.
Pricing: Spirit and Soda $7, Nadamichelada $8 (happy hour)
How it sits with the food
Happy hour food items like Kimchi Hotdog, Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings, and Arugula Goat Cheese Toast offer pairing opportunities. The Champagne Cocktail's aromatic syrup could complement the toast, while the Nadamichelada's citrus and spice might match the dumplings.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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