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    Ballston Local

    4.2 (165 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    BALLSTON LOCAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Live music
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Ballston Local

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    Ha N.

    Ambiance: Ballston Local with decors to show the love of the neighborhood. Super popular HH spot across from the Ballston Mall. Service: very attentive bartenders. I ordered at the bar and got someone to help quickly. Food: I only had the drink specials. I did see someone that ordered nachos and they were HUGE! Definitely the spot for Happy Hour meetup during the week. I was here for a meetup and the organizer told me that management were great to work with and had an area dedicated for us. So nice to hear that a restaurant is so helpful and made it easy to plan an event.

    Ray S.

    I'm in Virginia for the first time and I was walking down the street looking for a place to eat and this place the way it was lit up the people were inside outside just drew me to it. I walked in the place with lively all the people not full but it was a good place to be at that here where I am anyway. Service is great they meet you at the door you know it'll take your own seat but as soon as it down my server was there so far great experience. Man they have so many menus out they have now the new Cinco de Mayo menu it's not a large one but it serves its purpose. I wish they had frozen margaritas but they don't but they do have margaritas. So I ordered the barbecue bacon burger medium with some short fries with Parmesan we'll see how that goes. Going to the restroom to wash up little bit restrooms really nice really clean paper towel dispenser wasn't working but sometimes that happens. I'd order an old fashioned but it was a little bit too sweet for my taste. It tasted like candy. They may be another one and this one taste much better. Oh by the way did I tell you the music coming from the building or jukebox is amazing they have at least 15 TVs here I'm a food is here the barbecue and busted Burger in case you really really good,. This burger is so good every bite has juices flowing from the burger through my fingertips oh yeah I have to wipe my face each time I take a bite. And the parmesan fries are okay I've had a lot of better ones but they're okay. I must repeat the service here is amazing the people look out for you and take care of you got to come I would definitely give him another chance who was good service is great just some things they need to tweak l.

    Brittanie M.

    We were in town doing a beauty school visit at Aveda and decided to stop at Ballston Local for a quick lunch before heading back to the Woodbridge area. The establishment was large and were told we could sit wherever we wanted. We chose a table all the way in the back which we regretted. Due to that section of the restaurant, it was VERY cold. The rest of the dining area did feel warmer so it was our fault lol. Our server was friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our food. I forgot to take pictures of the fried cheese curds but they were tasty. Pictured: Slice of cheese & veggie pizza Chicken Gyro Rigatoni Vodka w/ side chicken caesar salad

    Evangeline L.

    Came here around 9:30 pm on a weeknight, looking for open restaurants in the Ballston area. The kitchen was about to close, and we got a pasta and sub. Overall, the food was decent, but come here for the vibes, not food :)

    Chicken gyro and Waffle Fries
    Grace K.

    It's fine for what it is. It's basically a bar with bar food. The chicken gyro tasted good but was overdressed and a tad soggy. Lighten the dressing and it's a much better dish. The waffle fries were yummy- crispy and not stale and perfectly salted. The aperol spritz I got was too sweet. The place has all high tops and lots of tvs everywhere. Very casual and fine for what it is. Parking not great as it's in the heart of Arlington. Server was friendly.

    Short Rib Poutine
    Ailun H.

    My friend and I stopped by Ballston Local a couple Wednesdays ago for an early dinner. Fortunately, we were able to snag the happy hour deal! SHORT RIB POUTINE (HH) - 7 Normally, it's $13, so I expected a much smaller portion. However, we were shocked to see a large portion with lots of gravy, cheese, and fries. Flavor was fine, too salty though. Not a lot of short rib, but for $7 I can't complain. Overall, this was pretty tasty and a good sharable but very dense. The two of us gave up after eating about 60% of it, but I'd recommend sharing this with a bigger group. CARNE - 5.50 This is one of 5 options we could order a single slice -- the more niche flavors require us to order a whole pie, which we did not want. Lots of oil/grease, but that can easily be dabbed off if you're not down for it. Solid slice, with lots of different meats. My friend and I were pretty satisfied after killing this. Pretty good steal for the price. I've heard people rave about the NYC slice here and I can see why. So definitely give Ballston Local a try if you are craving a slice! My friend and I can agree that this was the cheapest dinner out in awhile.

    Storefront
    Ritvik N.

    Food was good here. Good vibes and quiet ambiance with indoor seating. I got either the Baller Double or Classic Double. I don't remember, but it was likely the Baller Double. Bluemont Burger also looks really nice -- if I were to come again, I'd try that. I got a side of Caesar salad. It was pretty good and hit the spot. Overall, great service and quiet, interesting ambiance in outdoor seating. Food was pretty decent here.

    Chicken Parm Pizza
    Will M.

    Good place to grab a beer and a pizza pie. Pizza was very good especially for a place that doesn't call itself a pizzeria. Very fresh pieces of chicken. Could have been a little bit crispier in the middle of the pie. Not sure if getting a slice from the counter would be as good. Fries were crispy and the shredded meat / sauce was flavorful. Not the most comfortable bar stools.

    Trying Spa Day
    Pam S.

    Great location that has outdoor seating. The bar inside had a live band that was pretty loud in a small space so we decided to sit outside to talk easier. The drink menu has a few good choices on mixed cocktails and a lot of choices for beers. I had the spa day with sparkling edible glitter. Pretty & light tasting. We ordered a slice of pizza made on thin crust with fresh meat and cheese toppings that hit the spot for a fourth meal. We enjoyed the atmosphere. Our waitstaff was very informative, helpful & tentative.

    Shawn A.

    These burgers were fantastic! Everything about them was good, but the flavor of the beef made the entire burger what it was. I could have had just the burger and bun and been satisfied and I can't think of a time that was my only thought. The fries were good, the Parm was a pleasant surprise. The Bang Bang Shrimp app was fine as was the Short Rib Poutine (I think is would have been better if I had eaten it quicker, but we were sharing apps).

    Great TVs
    Doug B.

    Simple burger, pizza joint. Good tvs. Decent location with street and other garage parking. Easy walk from Ballston metro. Great service (5*). I tried the bacon cheeseburger. The bun fell apart. Tasty patty. I had them add tomato and lettuce. Fries come with a sprinkling of cheese and herbs. So that was nice. Overall, solid 3*, could have been better without the collapsing bun. Cool vibe with good TVs. Would be a nice sports venue.

    Big sandwich

    Fantastic food, great portions. The service is second to none. My nephew loved the sandwich he got.

    "Carne Slice"

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    Good food, great bartenders, great cocktails! Had a dirty vodka martini (excellent) and a burger (very good!)

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    Great place for a drink and play trivia! Service was fantastic also! We had so much fun playing trivia we came back next time that week.

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    Ask the Community - Ballston Local

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    BOE

    BOE

    3.1(10 reviews)
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    Food: not recommended Service: great…read moreAmbiance: great for after work drinks (margaritas were excellent) on a nice day. Proceed straight upstairs to the rooftop bar and patio. Lots of standing room, limited seating, but the patrons are young, beautiful, and mostly college students from nearby schools. Not my crowd, but met one of my friends here after work in Arlington around 6:30 since the weather was perfect yesterday. We decided to go to my favorite restaurant for a more elevated experience and live music. One day, I'll come back to watch people ride the bull downstairs, which I imagine that to be hilarious and entertaining. The bartender told me the place doesn't come alive until about 9pm, so that's when it's crowded and probably off the chain.

    I really wanna love BOE but the last few times I've came I've been extremely disappointed that it's…read morenot a bar I would prefer to go to on the weekends with friends. I went for the first time back in October and I had a good time. The drinks were competitively price for Arlington proportions but the food AND cocktail menu are just painfully limited. If you're ordering just standard bar drinks like a domestic draft beer or a shot of tequila you're fine, but a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu? Seriously? The biggest attraction of this bar is the mechanical bull. But the caveat is that you need to get a ticket to ride it which costs $5. Not terrible pricing but considering PBR at Power Plant Live in Baltimore has a mechanical bull (and more space but will get to that in a bit) it feels like a slap in the face. But again it's $5 and I'm going to presume that money goes towards maintenance of the mechanical bull ride anyway. Also depending on what day and time you go be prepared to be packed like sardines. There's three rooms one of which is a dedicated dance floor. And the room farthest from the entrance, about 85% of the room is taken up by the mechanical bull. The first time I went there was no room in the mechanical bull room because they blocked off 5% of it for some group party reservation. We went up to the rooftop which was a bit more spacious but naturally if it's cold outside or raining you're obviously not going up there. Overall, BOE has potential but a limited food menu, and even more limited cocktail menu, and small indoor space makes this an easy bar to skip when there's a line out the door.

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    Hyde Social

    Hyde Social

    3.8(37 reviews)
    1.2 miClarendon
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    Slightly upscale sports bar with a menu of American classics. The place has a bunch of TVs and…read morecouches in the middle in addition to tables and bar seats I came here for dinner with my sister and my fiance and we tried a variety of dishes, which were solid overall. The waitress was very unfriendly however On the inKind app, so can save 20%

    If Hyde Social isn't on your brunch list yet... fix that immediately…read more My husband and I came here for our 1.5-year anniversary brunch after seeing it on Instagram, and it was 1000/1000 -- easily one of the best brunch experiences we've had. For Brunch they serve small plates, so you can try a little bit of everything (which we definitely did ): French toast, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, a breakfast burrito, chicken & waffles -- all outstanding. And the bacon?! Sweet, savory, honey pepper perfection. Now listen... I don't usually touch corned beef hash, mainly because it reminds me of dog food but theirs completely changed my mind. Tender, flavorful, perfectly cooked with potatoes, eggs, and cheese -- absolutely delicious. The skillet was too. But what really set this place apart was the service. Our server, Kristina, (remembered her name because it's also my best friend's name) was hands-down the best I've ever had. Super attentive, kind, and she even helped us with directions & gave us directions on where to park when we got lost. That level of care is rare. She was nothing short of AMAZING!!!! The vibe is chill and laid-back with music, TVs, and a nice atmosphere. They also have an outdoor area with heat lamps (we'll definitely be back for that when it's warmer). We will 100% be back -- and not just for brunch because the regular menu looked just as good. If you're thinking about going... GO. I promise you wont regret it..

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    The Liberty Tavern - Liberty Tavern Burger - excellent fries

    The Liberty Tavern

    3.9(1.6k reviews)
    1.1 miClarendon
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    Every time I go to Liberty Tavern, it's busy. Bar is full and so are the tables. The food is…read moredelicious. I haven't had anything that I wasn't happy with. The espresso martinis and bubbly rose are my favorite libations. Though I did mention that the bar is usually packed, service is hit or miss. There are times when my friend and I will sit with glasses empty trying to get someone's attention for a refill and we have waited 15-20 minutes. Keep that in mind and be patient when the venue is packed.

    TLDR happy hour is only at the bar and the food is good but service isn't…read more Came on mother's day and came early, before they were busy. When we made the reservation in advance, we called to ask if happy hour was everywhere or just at the bar; they said everywhere, so we booked a table. Plot twist, it's only at the bar / downstairs :))) We arrived 15 minutes early, so while they got our table ready, we ordered at the bar. 5 stars for the bartender. If I could review her, the host, and the happy hour prices in isolation, I would! They moved us upstairs, we sat down, and immediately saw the menus were different. We asked the gentleman bringing waters about happy hour and he sent the waiter over. The waiter, with about 2% helpfulness, shared that happy hour is only downstairs. I mentioned that we had called in advance to ask. We asked if it would be possible to have that menu or perhaps move. The conversation felt like pulling teeth. He said, with much dismissiveness, it was up to the host downstairs to move and if they had availability and left. (Fair, we move, he doesn't get his tip. An alternative? Give us the happy hour menu, still get your tip. Better yet, just be slightly helpful?) The host downstairs found us a table but shared it was booked at 6:15 so we needed to be in and out. It was no problem because we had arrived before 5 (early, remember?). Although, it took 15 minutes (I timed it!) for anyone to come bring waters or address us as their table. A little hard to operate with urgency when no one takes your order!! I got up, told the host stand, and they sent a server over, and he proceeded to come back all of three times. We also had to flag him down to get our check, while we sat with empty waters that were never once refilled. We had pizza, cod sliders, and half orders of aglio e olio pasta. The cod sliders were more breadding than fish, but the flavor was decent. The pasta was delicious. No five star Italian meal, but it hit the spot and the portion was plentiful. I didn't try the pizza but it was 12 inches, piping hot, and the two eating it couldn't finish it. The food came out quickly and hot. I think we spent under or just about $100 for four folks to have dinner + drinks, so the prices are really solid. Perhaps you get what you pay for though? Both of our male servers seemed annoyed to be dealing with us and mostly unhelpful. Noteworthy mention: there was a female server who was kind enough to bring us a brown paper bag for our to go box. She was running around and her tables seemed well cared for. Disappointed in my experience and the customer service.

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    The Board Room - Boardroom Va art

    The Board Room

    3.7(234 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    Devastated to hear that The Board Room closed recently! It was one of the first places I visited…read moreafter I moved to Arlington. With an extensive drink menu and plenty of board games it was a chill spot if you wanted to socially drink with friends and unwind after a long day.

    Parking was PERFECT. public parking garage underneath, and the elevator in the corner takes you up…read moreright to the front door of the restaurant. Could not ask for a better parking situation. Ordering was almost seamless. We got there at 1 o'clock, middle of the day on 4/18, plenty of empty tables. We went up to the bartender to take our order, and then gave them our table number and they delivered it. The QR code on the table only shows you the menu. It is not used for ordering, which was odd these days. Chill and super awesome bartender with the mother of all hickeys. Good pours. No Skrewball :-( I had the special, two hot dogs with tater tots. When it said double, I wasn't sure if that meant double the tater tots, but that meant actually two hot dogs. Really good. I also had the other special, the two pancakes. I meant to get the sausage, but they gave me the bacon instead. It was great. Well worth it. I thought that was the better value of the meals. They got a lot of board and card games. Very laid-back atmosphere, 90s and early 2000s pop on the music, comfortable seating, and good food. The prices were reasonable. This is one area that I think we are just going to have to deal with for quite some time. The give-and-take of prices,. Smothered tater tots, pancakes, two hotdogs with some tater tots, and three drinks came out to ~$55. NOT. BAD. Was it worth it? If this had been just a normal restaurant, I would've said no. It would've been more worth it if it had been about $40. But... nobody made us pay to use the board games, or the card games, and we sat there for three hours and had a really good time. So based on that, the fact they provide a venue for playing these games and hanging out for a few hours makes it all worth it. Really strange thing was that there was this balding guy with a beard that randomly showed up as a waiter. We had been dealing with a bartender, so this guy, kind of rude came on to us and we weren't sure what to do with him. He kind of blocked me from paying the bartender. Rude. Not a hangout spot every day, but certainly once a week, maybe once a month or more, definitely a place to meet up if you got a group. I was really surprised by the diversity of the people that were there. A lot of chess players, a whole table of middle-aged women, lots of different people playing games. I would give them five stars, but not quite perfect. The rude guy at the end was so odd. Otherwise, great location, great parking, the food was good, good value, and fun.

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    Quincy Hall - Some like it hot

    Quincy Hall

    4.2(158 reviews)
    0.4 miBallston
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    We often seek out local, neighborhood places when we travel, instead of big name franchises, which…read moreis how we found Quincy Hall. Fun and lively atmosphere, staff is super friendly, and the menu has a great variety of food items for all different tastes. There's definitely something for everyone! Their bar menu is awesome! Amazing selection of beer and creative cocktails. Food was delicious, drinks were excellent, and we loved the vibe. We will definitely be back the next time we visit the area.

    Quincy Hall was one of the first local spots I visited when I moved to Arlington! It's great! I…read moreknow that Arlington has an oversaturation if sports bars (not an issue with me as a sports fan) but Quincy Hall is so much more than a place you go to watch a game. On Mondays and Tuesdays they host Trivia. On Saturday nights they do karaoke. There's also two dart boards as well. It's a place you can go and vibe and wind down after a day at work. I usually am a regular as I go on Tuesdays for Trivia night. I like that the tables have QR codes codes so you can order directly from the table on your phone. Of course if you prefer the old-fashioned way, you can ways go to the cash register by the bar and place and order. I've had the pizza before and it rocks! My go-to is the pepperoni pizza or sometimes if the pizza of the month sounds good I'll get a few slices of that. The standard pizza is very NY-style. But they also have Detroit style which is pretty great as well. I've also tried the nachos, pretzel, French fries, chicken park sub, and the chicken tenders. But I gotta say I really enjoy the pizza at Quincy Hall the most!

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    $6 wine HH Monday - Friday

    Ballston Local - burgers - Updated May 2026

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