Date night in Alexandria: French and steakhouse dinners in Old Town, the Little Theatre, the Birchmere, cocktails upstairs, a cat cafe wine bar and Captain's Row.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from each venue’s own website and from Visit Alexandria’s romantic getaway, winter date ideas and top 18 things to do pages. We do not rank restaurants.

Old Town Alexandria after dark is made for a date: gas lanterns on brick rowhouses, lights in the trees along King Street and dinner in buildings that are two centuries old. Add a show at the Little Theatre or the Birchmere and a drink somewhere quiet, and you have the evening. Here is where to go, with official links.

Plan the night

  • Getting there: the free King Street Trolley runs until 11 p.m.; see our getting around guide
  • Visitor information: Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St., 703-838-5005

Dinner

Visit Alexandria’s picks for a romantic dinner. Book on each restaurant’s own site; reservations are recommended on weekends.

Restaurant Address Why go
Bastille Brasserie and Bar 606 N. Fayette St. Contemporary French from chef-owners Christophe and Michelle Poteaux since 2006; wine bar; dinner Tuesday to Sunday; free street parking nearby
Josephine 109 S. St. Asaph St. French brasserie in a converted 19th-century firehouse with pendant lights from the Paris Metro
Vermilion 1120 King St. Seasonal, regionally sourced cooking and a wine and cocktail program
Oak Steakhouse Old Town Prime cuts in an elegant historic setting
1799 Prime Steak and Seafood Old Town Steak and seafood
Mia’s Italian Kitchen Old Town Cozy neighborhood Italian
Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant 138 N. Royal St. Dining in Colonial rooms since 1770
Del Ray Cafe 205 E. Howell Ave., Del Ray French cafe; dinner nightly, 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

On the water, Visit Alexandria points to Hummingbird, Vola’s Dockside Grill, BARCA Pier and Wine Bar and Blackwall Hitch for river views; it recommends booking ahead on weekends.

A show

  • Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., in Old Town, is now staging the musical She Loves Me, the romance that inspired “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.; $36 plus a $4 service charge (tickets).
  • The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Music hall booking touring acts since 1966 (lineup).
  • The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. The city’s history museum hosts evening concerts and performances, such as “Poe in Alexandria” Oct. 29 and 30 and candlelit guitar on Nov. 6.
  • MetroStage, which stages concerts and cabaret nights while it builds a new theater at 915 N. Fairfax St. (MetroStage).

Drinks

  • Blackwall Hitch, 5 Cameron St.: Prohibition-inspired cocktails in an intimate upstairs lounge, Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. and all day on weekends.
  • Basin Street Lounge at Two Nineteen, 219 King St.: live jazz and blues.
  • Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe and Wine Bar, 109 S. Alfred St.: a wine bar with adoptable cats, and “Wine Tasting Wednesdays With Cats” (events).
  • Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive, open until 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday (hours).

Free and romantic

  • Captain’s Row, the cobblestone 100 block of Prince Street, which Visit Alexandria calls one of the most atmospheric evening strolls in the region.
  • The waterfront at sunset, from Founders Park to Waterfront Park.
  • Dessert on King Street: Visit Alexandria suggests Casa Rosada gelato, Lavender Moon Cupcakery and Turkish Coffee Lady.
  • A ghost tour after dark, from Alexandria Colonial Tours or Alexandria Ghosts (tickets required).

Late openings

  • Torpedo Factory Art Center holds late-night events; check its calendar.
  • Continues Arcade, 1050 N. Fayette St., opens evenings from 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
  • Blackwall Hitch is open until 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

What this means for you

  • Book dinner and theater tickets together; the Little Theatre’s evening shows start at 8 p.m.
  • Park once, or take Metro to King Street, and use the free trolley until 11 p.m.

Related guides: live music and nightlife, Valentine’s Day and Old Town Alexandria.

Frequently asked questions

What are good date night restaurants in Alexandria?

Visit Alexandria suggests Josephine and Bastille for French food and wine, Oak Steakhouse, Vermilion and 1799 Prime Steak and Seafood for a dressier dinner, and Mia’s Italian Kitchen for a cozy Italian meal. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

What is playing at the Little Theatre of Alexandria?

The Little Theatre, 600 Wolfe St., is staging the musical She Loves Me, Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $36 plus a $4 service charge.

Where can we go after dinner in Old Town?

Basin Street Lounge at Two Nineteen, 219 King St., has live jazz and blues; Blackwall Hitch, 5 Cameron St., has an upstairs cocktail lounge; and a walk on Captain’s Row, the cobblestone 100 block of Prince Street, is free.

Is there a wine bar in Old Town Alexandria?

Bastille Brasserie and Bar, 606 N. Fayette St., is a French restaurant and wine bar, and Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe and Wine Bar, 109 S. Alfred St., pairs wine with adoptable cats.