O'Shaughnessy's Pub

If you were a movie producer and called Central Casting to send up a dive bar to the set, O'Shaughnessy's Pub is exactly what they would deliver.

It has all the grunge and character that you would expect along with a far reaching cast of characters to keep the place interesting.  The bartenders are amongst the friendliest anywhere.  The table behind the bar has this serious sag, order a few drinks and start wagers around if it will implode on itself before the end of the evening...or before you yourself do!

This place is set right in the middle of Old Town Alexandria, in the heart of old world charm and beautiful.  So you will probably miss it (how can one hide a dive bar in the middle of all of this??).  The entrance to the place is a set of old stairs positioned behind the always open front door.  If you stand at the door and look straight up, you will see the sign for the place.  Google Maps is your friend, turn on the walking navigation thing and listen for the voice to say, 'Your destination is on the right!'

After you climb the stairs, you are greeted by one of the bars in the place.  It is entirely likely that the bartender will greet you like a long lost friend before you even scope out a seat.  You order, they strike up a conversation almost to the point that you ask yourself if maybe you don't actually know this person.  When you leave, they also display a certain sense of sadness (or maybe that was my exorbitant tab that they were going to miss) but tell you to hurry back.

If you are a smoker, rejoice.  Smoking right there at the bar, the same bar that has a pool table and a broken pinball machine.  And plenty of ashtrays.  If you are not a smoker, well, you probably aren't going to love this section.  

So yea, of course the place has vibe because of what it is and the people who work here.  But, the locals that climb into this place really seal the deal.  There are few, if any, other places in Alexandria where the locals are this friendly.  And diverse!  Think of a demographic and you will find it here for sure.  

If you grow tired of the Colonial Pretention that is Old Town Alexandria, stop in here and recharge your soul.  You won't be sorry.

I love this place and I'm trying to fins the number. I can only find the old laughing lizard number and it's disconnected. Anyone know a number where I can talk to someone there?

The name is a bit deceiving because if it's an Irish Pub it's a dive - but it's one awesome freakin' dive. The crowd is an "interesting mix", the live bands are always rocking and the PBR on tap just says it all.