Bar Guide to Fairfax, Virginia

Looking for something to do this weekend, look no further. This is a guide to bar bars not restaurants that serve drinks like Fridays or Red Lobster. If you're looking for serious drinking in Fairfax this is the best you're going to do without leaving the county. Trust me I'm a drunk.

Fat Tuesdays

10673 Braddock Rd
Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 385-5717

Known as Fat's to the regulars is a dive bar located in the bottom half of the University Mall across from George Mason University. The peanuts are free and you can toss them on the floor. The drinks are cheap and usually served in a plastic cup. There are specials every night the most important of which is half price Wednesday wing night. The wings are amazing and the best in Fairfax, they come by the pound so be ready.

The crowd can range from college 20 something's to redneck 40 something's. There is usually a band or performance every night after 9...this is a warning because whatever it is it is going to be five times louder than it needs to be. Sitting outside is the only comfortable place to listen to the music. I've been going there for 5 years now (look for me) and I've never heard a single good band. You pay for your drinks by listening to the music. Also after 9 there is usually a cover so be sure to slip in before.

Like most dive bars be sure to watch your server because they often grab drinks by the lip and inadvertently stick their finger in. It's nasty I know, but do you wanna pay full price?

Quick Stats

Price - Cheapest bar in Fairfax

Scene - College, redneck, indie music, dive bar

Smoking - Yes

Full Bar - Yes

Food - Yes, and quite good

Brion's Grille

10621 Braddock Rd
Fairfax, VA 22032-2200
(703) 352-7272

Brion's Grille is located in the top half of the University Mall located across from George Mason University. The bar is very boring and has nothing going for it. The drinks are average price and the food is equal to TV dinner quality. I would avoid this bar simply because there isn't a compelling reason to go. This bar is only useful if you don't want to pay the cover at Fats.

Quick Stats

Price - Average

Scene - Redneck, boring

Smoking - Yes

Full Bar - yes

Food - Yes, but below average

The Auld Shebeen's

3971 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 293-9600

During the day this is a respectable dining establishment, by night it is nearly a club jammed packed with college students and music performances. Weeknights are tame and very chill. You can catch a game of Rugby and have a few pints. On weekends it is actioned packed with people both upstairs in the dining area and downstairs in the club/music room. You can also reserve the Library for private parties. Granted the room doesn't have any books, just pictures of famous Irish authors it's still nice for a party.

Quick Stats

Price - Average...but the food is pricy

Scene - Irish, College Bar

Smoking - After 9 on most nights

Full Bar - Yes, One upstairs and downstairs

Food - Yes, not bad but a bit more in price than it should be.

Buffalo Wing University

10312 Willard Way
Fairfax, VA 22030-2508
(703) 273-6336

This is a large place with plenty of room. You only notice this more because the place is always empty. Poorly made drinks topped with bad food make this place a must miss in Northern Virginia. The wait staff is also mostly female and dressed...inappropriately for family dining or going out with female friends. The wings are also all awful. There outside seating if you can't stand the inside.

Quick Stats

Price - Average, but never worth it

Scene - College

Smoking - In the bar area

Full Bar - Yes, but anything other than beer will suck

Food - Yes, but not good

The Wine House

3950 University Drive Suite 212
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 352-2211

This is a small wine bar located in the new shopping center in old town Fairfax. This bar is great if you're looking to spend a little dough, but it is worth every penny. Great for a first date or anytime you're trying to impress. You can buy bottles there at a reasonable price and then pay a cork fee to drink them. They serve cheese and fruit plates, but no meals. The owner will also come and talk to you and he's never dull. I love this place. Games are available as well. Play Coppopoly (Francis Ford Coppola Monopoly) the owner will come by and tell you an amusing story about the game (I'm not going to spoil it).

Quick Stats

Price - High, but you get what you pay for

Scene - Fancy

Smoking - No

Full Bar - Just wine

Food - Cheese and fruit

Hard Times

4069 Chain Bridge Rd
Fairfax, VA 22030-4113
(703) 267-9590

This is an average college bar with pool tables, a full bar, and a full restaurant downstairs. The upstairs has the full bar and pool table area. Be sure to have your ID because you'll probably get carded 20 times. Thursday through Saturday will be crowed if you don't arrive early you will not have a seat. Getting a drink can also be an ordeal. Outdoor seating is available, but service is slow. The downstairs restaurant is awful and has service so bad it will make you hostile. A lot of George Mason students go here because it is walking distance from campus. I don't enjoy this place.

Quick Stats

Price - Average

Scene - College, sports, pool hall

Smoking - Yes

Full Bar - Yes

Food - Yes, but not great

Uptown Sushi Bar& Grill

9715 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031-5122
(703) 691-7670

Sushi bar by day, sports bar by night. The bar is actually an enclosed room at the back of the sushi bar separated by large glass doors. This is so they can have smoking. The down side is there is nowhere for the smoke to go and it's uncomfortable unless you love second hand smoke. The bar is small, but usually packed. Sports blare on every flat screen. Not the greatest bar, but it seems to attract a lot of regulars and the bar tenders are pretty good.

Quick Stats

Price - Average

Scene - College, local, sports

Smoking - Yes, all you could want and more

Full Bar - Yes

Food - No

Bridges

10560 Main St # A100
Fairfax, VA 22030-7177
(703) 277-7665

Pool hall, hookah bar, and night club all rolled into one. If you like bad music and a very small dance floor this place is for you. The hookah bar makes the place super smoky. The bar staff boarders on bad to worse on any given night. There is usually a cover on weekends and the pool tables are always over priced as is the hookah. The drinks are completely overpriced unless there is a happy hour.

Quick Stats

Price - High

Scene - College, club

Smoking - Yes and then some

Full Bar - Yes

Food - Yes