Total dive, which I love. But I went during non-busy hours and the service wasn't good. I'm hoping it was just a bad day and will give it another chance, but I see "welcoming and good service" in other reviews, and my experience was the opposite.
Reason for 3 stars instead of 2, is I love the setting and my food definitely exceeded expectations.
Narrow dive type bar with food & live music
Note: if you dont like loud music then dont come on in during live music. Honestly how could you not love good ol live chill music?!
And its smoke-free inside which i prefer!
and its in a very fancy strip mall off a very fancy suburbanastic northern va hub...im joking here folks on many counts...
Like so many reviews before mine about JV's, the one thing that can be said is that it is a total dive, in some places that signifies that you should avoid it at all costs however in JV case this is truly a gem of a bar in the Northern Virginia area. Its been around since 1947 the decor is very retro nostalgic and I love it completely. The staff is very friendly and inviting and they have awesome live bands all the time . I was lucky enough to see patty Reese there last Saturday who is an absolutely amazing singer and songwriter. Â JV's exudes United States patriotism they are proud to be American and you feel that vibe throughout their entire establishment and it's really an unexplainable feeling to have an entire bar full of people listening to great music having a great time in a little hole in the wall bar in a strip mall. I have only been there once but I can totally see myself becoming a regular and completely understand all the people who consider themselves regulars there and why they do. Its such a warm homely feeling that makes you want to keep patronizing the place. I personally didn't try any of their food while I was there but my mother had nothing but positive things to say about their food because the owner make very good authentic Greek cuisine. Â I love Greek food so I will be back to JVs to try some of their Greek specialties but I will also return there to be able to relax in a comfortable environment with great music and friendly people. I encourage everyone 2 go to JV's and I honestly dare you to try to not to have a good time, cuz trust me it won't happen. P.S. Make sure you visit them on a night win Patty Reese is playing with her band you will not be disappointed!!!
Review Source:Went to see a blues band on 10/24/2012. When I went in the band was on break. After 2 beers and 40 minutes later the band was still on break and I was done. When gave the bartender my money, she said there was a $5 cover. I said "for the band that's been on break since I walked in?" Â She didn't charge the cover, but Blue Moon beer was $6.25 each. NEVER AGAIN will I step into this place!!!!
Review Source:A real dive bar hidden in a sketchy ass strip mall. Â Almost something you would expect to see as a truck stop bar in an old '80s movie. Go here if you like the working class sort of feel to a bar and you enjoy country music . Â The bartenders/waitresses remind me of the sweet ladies that used to work in my high school cafeteria. Â
Flashback: "You want gravvvvvvyyyy on thattttt honeeyyyyyy?" Â The food actually reminds me of some of the food we had back in high school as well. I got the country fried steak , which I actually liked in high school, and it was pretty good here too.
Your only alcohol choices here are beer or wine so dont expect any liquor. Â Basically, a place where you've got to order yourself a Budweiser. Â Also, enjoy seeing the smallest smoking room in the DC area for yourself and the random puzzle games that Kevin hands out at the bar.
My thoughts are all scattered (as they usually are) about this place, but it's all good.
I am a singer, who loves music, and also a "blue collar girl with a white collar brain." Â I absolutely love this place. Â Debated whether I wanted to Yelp it as I believe it is a hidden gem, but it's tiny. Â Gotta support though, bottom line.
The area I live in, Falls Church, is money central (as recently declared by Money magazine). Â That being said, there's an air of pretention, arrogance and yuppiness which I'm not a big fan of, but progress is progress, and this area is exploding because of it.
If you love music, are a musician, go here! Â They have live music 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! Â All kinds, but usually blues, bluegrass, country, southern rock, rock ... Â I have NEVER been disappointed in the music here. Â Tuesday night is supposedly songwriter night and Wednesday is open mike night (hosted by Vernon, who can pretty much play anything I throw at him! Â Good job, Vern!).
This place's motto is "ageless charm without yuppie bastardization since 1947!" Â Says it all, right (and bought the t-shirt)? Â This is a slice of Virginia or the Civil War Trail at its very best. Â Lorraine, the owner, is a true sweetheart. Â It's a bit amusing (sorry, Lorraine), but when you walk in there's a huge painting of her in full "Glamour Shot" mode in the sexy red dress posing on a Harley! Â
Lorraine also supports her vets (WONDERFUL!) and often has fundraisers/benefits for them, as well as Dogs of War (the military dogs!) and Pets for Vets (suiting shelter animals with vets that have PTSD).
Patrons are warm, welcoming, and boy, they can dance too! Â One night, I was walking in while a couple was doing either the jive or jitterbug and she literally did a flip (several) while dancing, and she wasn't no Spring chicken (yikes; making me look bad, honey)..
It is beer and wine only and often there is a cover which you don't hear about (ask the bartender) until you get the bill and it's added on. Â But, I saw a blues guy that had played the Blues Fest in Chicago and the cover was only $5 and I would have gladly paid more!
It is very small and (laffing) there is a phone booth where apparently you can smoke, and as someone who is trying to give up the filthy habit, I wouldn't even do it!
They also serve food and the prices are strangely diverse -- $9 for meatloaf, but cheaper for fish (huh?). Â But, good, homemade and homemade desserts too! Â Lorraine gave me peanut butter pie (!) and German chocolate cake when she heard I was gonna be out of town for my birthday.
Lots of fun -- if you're a snot, stay away and leave the room for the rest of us!
A must-do!
Great local joint. Â The place only has one beer on tap; PBR. Â And let me expand, they have PBR on tap in about the most non-hipster way imaginable. Â Cozy interior, cheap beer and live music make this a go-to no matter your age (I was the youngest person there by a number that is likely equal or greater than my age).
Review Source:There are "dive bars" that you go to in neighborhoods like Dupont Circle to get inexpensive beer and be casual with other like-minded friends. Â And then there are the real dive bars. Â JV's is the latter. Â There are no "dive bar" tourists here. Â JV's is the real deal--a genuine dive bar inside the beltway.
My wife and I went last night to see a hardworking but amateurish (hey...keepin' it real here) band called Tribute to Motown with Oz and the Revue. Â Oz and the boys put on an energetic show, while I drank some good beer, and my wife had some drinkable (and inexpensive) Merlot. Â Our waitress, who looked like she had been working there for for quite a while, was very friendly. Â I think she should have told us that there was a $10 cover charge for the band (which I really doubt the regulars, i.e., everybody else in there) paid, but I'm not going to split hairs on that.
This wasn't the first time we had been to JV's. Â We used to go around ** years ago. Â We were glad to return. Â If this is what you're looking for...then this is the place to go.
On walking into this dive I couldn't fathom how its been in continuous operation for 63 years. It's in a strip mall sandwiched in with a nail salon and cell phone dealer. And the joint smells of decades of beer. Bad beer. And the aging rednecks that drink it.
But, there was live bluegrass which, while not pro, was entertaining enough. And though the clientele are a loudmouthed bunch of 50-somethings, Lorraine is a nice and attentive barkeep. And though the beer sucks, it's cheap. And the BBQ sandwich is actually pretty good.
Lastly, I don't know if it's a joke or what, but there's a phone-booth sized room that says it's for smokers. Which I guess is a good thing.
JV's is a classic. What you see is what you get. Â As to the previous post who has lived nearby for 22 years, how could you have not known that this place is a classic beer joint? Â You should stick to Applebee's on main street.
Over the years JV's has collected and mailed hundreds of care packages overseas to deployed troops. Â I have taken many a Soldier returning from deployment to JV's where they welcomed and usually drink for free.
Great live music.
Muffy and Biff - stick to your yuppie chain restaurants. Â JV's will do great without you.
Went last night to catch a buddy's band at JV's. Â While the space wasn't huge, I wasn't expecting a dance hall. Â The service was on top of things, even though the place was packed. Â I liked the fact that it has been in business under the same family ownership since 1947.
For a small, "dive" bar, they have a good mix of beers in bottles, and four on tap: Bud, Pabst, Yuengling, and Lorraine's Brew (a specialty ale from Dominion for JV's). Â I gave the Lorraine's a shot and it wasn't too bad.
Their menu was basic, so I gave the pulled pork sandwich a try. Â Mind you, I'm picky about my pulled pork. Â The sandwich came out with some fries and a small cup of coleslaw, and I didn't see BBQ sauce dripping from it. Â I was concerned. Â Upon my first bite, I was smiling. Â The pork had a mild vinegar and garlic sauce that complemented the meat nicely. Â I'd definitely get it again.
The music was good, and the place has live music every night. Â If you're in the neighborhood and want something simple, give JV's a shot.
This place is awesome.
JV's encompasses all the qualities that make a neighborhood bar excellent. The minimalistic setup, token memorabilia, and photographs hanging from the walls create an atmosphere full of comfort and history.
The food is good, cheap, and unpretentious. Live music is played on a regular basis and the staff is super friendly. Will definitely go back!
I had lived in the general area for many years, but only discovered JV's Restaurant a few months ago. Â I have since returned several times. Â The live music ranges from decent live bands, to some pretty amazing performers. Â The place is very friendly. Â JV says its not a yuppie joint, and its not, but anyone can feel at home there. Â Many of the people who show up are musicians or singers, some bring their own instruments, and perform with the band.
Review Source:Even though I lived in Jefferson Village (It's where the JV in JV's came from) for a year, I was amazed that I never made it into this place. Â However, with it being christmas night, with almost everything else being closed down, I figured since I saw the neon "open" light lit up I'd give it a try...
I grew up in Northern Wisconsin, and even though I was 18 when I left, I still remember what the little "hole in the wall" type bars are like up there... (They weren't very strict about carding the locals back home) :) Â Apart from not seeing any deer heads mounted to the wall, this place reminded me of the days of my youth. Â :) Â A small (very small), cozy, friendly, welcoming environment.
If i had to describe the crowd, I'd have to say it's a mixture of bikers, veterans, rednecks, and suburbanites. Â An odd mix, but it seems to work. Â It's a very laid back place. Â I almost wish I had stuck around for the live music....but I decided to book out early.. maybe another night..
I will be back. Â It seems like a great place to chill out and listen to some music.
JV's is a gem. The food is good simple homecooked stuff, but what makes JV's great is the music. JV's has always booked the best local performers, and occaisonally brings in regional or national talent. Either way, the music will be first rate. There is a Wednesday night open mic that can be lots of fun too.
Dress is casual, and the audience on any given night will include bikers, blue collars, white collars and high society. If you can't make friends here, you'd better work on  your people skills.
If you haven't been to JV's, you should go. JVs is has been a part of DC music culture and will be for the foreseeable future. To quote a musician friend of mine, " If you haven't played JV's, you're not that good!".
Great music, so-so food.........very small and cramped but the ambiance is classic roadhouse and they get the DC rockabilly and blues regulars through on a regular basis. Â Biggest negative is the smoking - when is Virginia gonna get with the plan and ban it like DC and Mont Cty. Â Eat first before going (tons of great Korea and Vietnamese choices in the area) and steel yourself for the contact nicotine buzz.
Review Source:The place is tiny, and once you're inside you'll easily forget you're in a strip mall in Fairfax County. Â This is a secret dive bar, not a first date kind of place.
If you have trouble forgetting that for any reason, the PBR* on tap will make sure of it.
The music here is interesting and helps you believe that JVs is much unchanged in their 60 years, although the area outside has changed much.
*PBR = Pabst Blue Ribbon
JV's is about to celebrate 60 years in business. In this area, for being in the restaurant business that long..something is going on right here.
If you watch Fox local news, you may have seen a story on JV's and veterans a few weeks ago. Vets hang out here on that day (and other times besides) because it is a friendly neighborhood type of spot. Other than serving some darn good chili and other in house stick to your ribs type items, there is live music here almost every night.
Tuesday kicks things off with a live band, typically blues. Wednesday is an open mike jam session. They also have a monthly "Lord of The Strings" show with fiddlers, guitarists, banjo players..you get the picture. I hit one of those and it was great. Get there early if you go to that, the place fills up really quickly,
The weekend of December 2nd is JV's 60th anniversary festivities which should be a lot of fun.
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