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. Â The bartenders are amongst the friendliest anywhere. Â 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. Â So you will probably miss it (how can one hide a dive bar in the middle of all of this??). Â The entrance to the place is a set of old stairs positioned behind the always open front door. Â If you stand at the door and look straight up, you will see the sign for the place. Â 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. Â It is entirely likely that the bartender will greet you like a long lost friend before you even scope out a seat. Â You order, they strike up a conversation almost to the point that you ask yourself if maybe you don't actually know this person. Â 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. Â Smoking right there at the bar, the same bar that has a pool table and a broken pinball machine. Â And plenty of ashtrays. Â If you are not a smoker, well, you probably aren't going to love this section. Â
So yea, of course the place has vibe because of what it is and the people who work here. Â But, the locals that climb into this place really seal the deal. Â There are few, if any, other places in Alexandria where the locals are this friendly. Â And diverse! Â Think of a demographic and you will find it here for sure. Â
If you grow tired of the Colonial Pretention that is Old Town Alexandria, stop in here and recharge your soul. Â You won't be sorry.
I didn't know this bar had a name until I went looking for it on yelp to review it.
Me and my buddy literally stumbled in here on a Friday night. Â It's at the top of an unassuming stairway in a crooked building, very nondescript, almost hidden - we weren't even looking for this place, just happened upon it and said to each other, "is there a bar up there?" Very sketchy, but fun - bartender and customers were cool. Â It's like drinking in the musty attic of your friend's house if he had a pool table up there.
I love me a dive bar. Â This is as gritty as it comes. Â The patrons are sketchy. Â From the aging bouncer bikers to drunk newly 21 year olds, this place is local. Â The bartender was personable, and referred to you by your first name. Â The drinks were strong, and decently priced. Â If you aren't put off by walking up stairs, this is a decent local watering hole where I'd love to be a local. Â It may be sketchy, but it sure was fun.
Review Source:I thought this place was just a joint until last Friday night.  Who in God's creation is Bad Mooka?  Those guys were excellent!  The guitarst  thru down some Hendrix, played with his teeth, played behind his head, and under his legs. It was absolutely amazing!  The bass player was very, very  good and the drummer tight.  They did a little Johnny Cash and rocked it.  God I love me a good, nah, great neighborhood bar.
Review Source:The first time a group of people (about 10) and I went to this bar it was amazing. We were suppose to see a band there. Do to some booking screws ups of the band we never got to see them play. BUT.............
The small group of regulars and friendly bar tender made up for it! Jennifer (I believe was her name) the bartender was very friendly! She hung with us most the time and was great at mixing up some shots. We got lucky and were able to get an acoustic set by one of the male employees :)
However, we went back at a later date and it seemed to be packed with pop colar d-bags. Total buzz kill. BUT...... the staff was still AWESOME!
If you enjoy a good hole in the wall with some friendly people, this is  a good place to start.
Right off the bat someone approaches me, taps my chest and demands id. My wife was hanging back, I suppose from the fist shape holes in the walls. This place exudes a bad vibe. I suppose if you like confrontations this maybe your place. I like a good dive but this place is sketchy. Don't go there.
Review Source:I love this place. Is it is a dive? Definitely. Is it a fun place to go hang out? Hell yes.
I especially like to go here during the week. I always meet some crazy characters and have a great time. Some of the people here are pretty damn sketchy, but the bartenders here are great at handling any problems and getting rid of them if need be. Of course, the same bartenders are attentive, quick to respond, and seem to remember everyone's name too, so they are just good people.
One of the last few remaining true dive bars in NoVA. Upstairs is a small bar with a pool table, internet jukebox, and a couple of small tables ideal for sharing a pitcher of PBR. Downstairs is a slightly larger bar with space for bands to play.
I live about a dozen miles away, but I still come here every couple of weeks to meet up with a couple of friends. We always end up meeting some characters and having a good time. The place takes its music seriously, and even if you're not into their Jaxx-type acts, you have to give them credit for being a venue where local bands can play.
One of the best places I know of for hanging out with a couple of buddies and going home with stories.
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