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Alexandria, VA

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The Light Horse

3.8 (448 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

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THE LIGHT HORSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Live music
Loud
Good for dancing

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Recommended Reviews - The Light Horse

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Salmon with broccolini and fingerling potatoes
Melissa H.

How did I not find this place sooner?! From brunch to dinner, the Light Horse does everything in a perfectly cozy neighborhood way. In one week, I came here three times because it's really just THAT good. On my first visit, a friend and I sat at the bar and enjoyed specialty cocktails and dinner. On my second trip for weekend brunch, two couples enjoyed cocktails, baked brie with pecans and cranberries, and delicious breakfast favorites. And on the most recent visit, my girlfriends and I checked out the upstairs, which is huge and warm, perfect for enjoying truffle-fry appetizers and dinner. Did I mention that the service here is great? Between Cassie, who's literally working both upstairs and downstairs, to Justin who's single-handedly juggling the brunch crowd as host, bartender, and server, everyone is working their tushies off. Can't say enough good things about this place. Oh, and military discount Mondays?? Say no more. Apparently, they also host karaoke nights, so I'll definitely be a regular going into 2026.

Cheesecake
Jessica A.

Great spot in old town Alexandria! A friend and I visited during restaurant week. It was a nice day, so we sat outside. I sipped on my sparkling rose as I enjoyed the nice views of king street. My friend ended up ordering from the regular menu but I wanted to take advantage of the restaurant week full course option! The 3-course meal came with an appetizer, main entree, and dessert. For my appetizer I ordered the Cajun crab dip, which was good! It was very creamy, but I can't say it's distinct from other crab dips. For my entree I ordered the rigatoni pasta. I guess I was just in a creamy mode that day, but I loved the shrimp and chicken inside. It definitely added more flavor to the dish. And of course I went with the cheesecake for my dessert. It was very good, but again, not really distinct from any NY style cheesecake. We had a great waiter; she was very friendly. Service was good overall!

Arra L.

Great food and excellent service! Everything we ordered was flavorful and came out quickly, and the staff was friendly and attentive. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. The only downside is that street parking can be quite challenging on weekends, so give yourself a little extra time if you're driving. Overall, definitely worth a visit!

Char P.

We stopped by on a Friday night and had a great time! I think our bartender was Chris, and he was really great! I didn't have any particular drinks in mind that I wanted, so the great bartender that he is, he asked me a couple questions and made me a drink that he thought I might like! He was right; I did enjoy my drink! A friend and I also ordered sweet potato fries to share; this was absolutely the move! The drinks and the snacks are fire! The vibes were quite chill! The staff were actually quite vigilant about spotting red flag behaviors without feeling so overbearing; I really appreciated that, especially as the night went on and patrons are drinking more and more. There are two floors where you can hang out. The upstairs has a handful of games with live entertainment and a bar. The downstairs is a bit more chill, and that's where we were pretty much the whole night. It was more our vibe for that night. We definitely enjoyed our time!

Tuesday - Prime Rib special
Jay F.

Excellent food and service in a great section of Old Town Alexandria. Tuesday night prime rib special for $20 is unbeatable!

Super neat
LoriLynn R.

The Prime Rib is awesome on Tuesdays! Monday is Military and Karaoke. We had the fish and chips over cooked a LOT, but the fries were good! The service is hit and miss, but don't be in a hurry... it's a great place to people watch and relax and enjoy life and good food.

Byron S.

A nice restaurant and bar that sometimes have karaoke upstairs. They also do themes. Bar service was great and the food was fantastic. That banana old fashioned was amazing.

Chris S.

The Light Horse has the best cocktails on King Street. I recommend getting there early on a Saturday evening (7 or 8) because there is a live band and you gotta see the band up close! The service was super fast even though it was very busy. Shoutout to Reyan, Chris and John downstairs.

Upstairs dining room
Bibiana R.

I really loved stopping by here ! I came for trivia night with a party of 6 people total ; they have trivia every Wednesday upstairs. I ordered the crab cake sandwich with jalapeños and tomato added. It came with the option of French fries , sweet potato fries, or a salad. With the option of adding a soup as a side for an additional $2. I opted for the regular fries. When I got my crab cake it was so tasty!! I devoured it IMMEDIATELY because it was 9 pm and I haven't eaten in the last 9 hours lol. Besides the taste, it was certainly 70% filler . But honestly not mad because I paid $20, so, you get what you pay for. It's no jumbo lump crab cake but it's still tasty ! The fries were crispy and delicious. Just wish they added another ketchup for me. I would totally come back because our server was really nice and this place is very historical and cozy looking. Maybe for a date night next time!! Tip: keep in mind that they charge auto gratuity to large parties !

Cubano
Will M.

The first floor bar had cool vibes on a Saturday afternoon. Two big TVs and an extensive drink menu. Upstairs was closed for a private event but I recall it being on the louder side when it's open. Cuban sandwich had a nice kick to it and the bread was super soft. Side salad was bigger than expected. Burger was solid . Bartender was very attentive.

Roasted Beet Salad / mushrooms/ Hand Cut French Fries / Smoked Chicken Wings/ steak and soup
Dona P.

Continues to be my favorite wings. I love that they're smoked then grilled / not fried. They make their own Buffalo sauce and I always ask for extra on the side. Fries are always crispy and fresh. And they made me a fabulous French 75 with tequila. Service is always friendly and the decorations this spring are SPECTACULAR! Literally a must see insta-worthy set up! Just dinging a star because my blackened salmon wasn't quite blackened and felt too underdone / slightly fishy. Next time I'll ask for it to be well done.

Smoked Chicken Wings** Truffle Parmesan Fries**
Becky D.

Get the truffle fries!! Stumbled upon Light Horse looking for beer and a patio in old town, and have already been back within a week because of the food and the vibes! Food: TRUFFLE FRIES ! Will not disappoint! I ordered both times. Also the smoked wings are great, but the ranch and blue cheese steal the show! Homemade in house!! I could drink it! Enjoyed the chicken sandwich and surf and turf kabobs as well! Vibe: Outdoor patio is perfect for the summer weather! Second time I went it was raining so I sat at the bar and still enjoyed the atmosphere. Not too loud, laid back! Service: shoutout to Sean and Kirk! Great service both at the bar and outside! See you guys soon!

Crème brulee
Trang H.

We went to Light Horse for restaurant week and was pleasantly surprised with the food! The stuffed mushrooms were filled with crab and the hush puppies had a yummy sauce on top. My fiancé got the steak which was cooked perfectly. I got the crab cake which came with mashed potatoes and broccoli. For dessert, we enjoyed the cheesecake and crème brulee. Our wait to get a table on a Friday evening was quite long but the front desk kept giving us updates which we appreciated.

Cubano n fries

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the varied and flavorful food, excellent cocktails, and friendly and attentive service. The atmosphere is often described as welcoming and lively.

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6 months ago

Very friendly and professional bartenders at the bar. Best crab cake sandwich that I've ever had.

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1 year ago

5 stars across the board; food and service. Cannot say enough about both. Everyone who works there genuinely concerned about you.

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The Light Horse Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Light Horse

Where is the best place to park on a Saturday night?

You could part anywhere on the street and take the free local buss. They come almost every ten minutes and you hop on and off.

Are you able to get the happy hour specials throughout the entire downstairs area or do you have to sit at the actual bar?

Oh are able to get the happy hour specials anywhere. In fact, the waiter asked and informed us about happy hour choices after we ordered something, he offered a cheaper alternative and explained that the difference, for example, was that the happy… 

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Review Highlights - The Light Horse

“I really like their beer selection and the grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and bacon mayonnaise.”

Mentioned in 43 reviews

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King’s Ransom - Sunset Park

King’s Ransom

4.3(135 reviews)
0.0 mi•Old Town Alexandria

I absolutely love King's Ransom! The atmosphere is really dope. It is definitely hard to find as it…read moreis in a pizza shop. I went there with one of my friends and we really enjoyed ourselves. It is a nice quiet, hidden speak easy with great vibes. The service was impeccable. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. She gave great suggestions for drinks. We decided on a sour. Which was whisky, lemon, and honey. It was perfectly mixed and served. I also tried the Toki Highball which was excellent. It was rich in flavor and not too strong. If you are really into Whisky King's Ransom needs to be on your list to visit. Unfortunately, we did not order food but the couple next to us ordered the pizza and fries and it looked delicious. The ambiance was great. Its a little upscale with dark lighting. The raised bar and lighting add to the unique experience. This bar is great for date night or just a night out with friends in Alexandria, Va. If you are in the area check it out...you won't be disappointed. Cheers!

We've gone to king's ransom before and loved it. The ambiance is great, the cocktails typically…read moreawesome but we went tonight and their highball (HB) machine was apparently in need of repair. This was not advertised and would not have been advertised unless we asked. After ordering a $17 cocktail, it arriving flat compared to previous experiences and asking bartender if machine was broken we got a yes and they were told to substitute "agua mineral" a pretty standard sparkling water. Definitely confirm their highball machine is in operable condition before committing to one of their usually amazing bubbly cocktails. 1 star for deceiving customers, had they been upfront we would have just picked a different cocktail to order instead of being disappointed.

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King’s Ransom - Plenty to choose from

Plenty to choose from

King’s Ransom - Great selections

Great selections

King’s Ransom - Old Fashion

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Old Fashion

Alice Comfort Cocktail - Chive dumplings

Alice Comfort Cocktail

4.4(106 reviews)
0.0 mi•Old Town Alexandria

We stopped by for drinks and apps while exploring Old Town. They have two levels I think -…read moredownstairs is their restaurant for proper dining (Thai Signature, if I am not wrong) and upstairs is more like a cafe/lounge. The upstairs decor is very charming and whimsical and reminiscent of Alice in Wonderful. For drinks, we got the Mango Sticky Rice (Planteray 3 Star, Coconut Rum, Junmai Sake, Toasted coconut, Mango, Yuzu) and the Alice (Roku Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lychee Liqueur, Butterfly pea, Yuzu, Egg white). My first assumption on entering the bar was that "instagrammable" places like this are usually a gimmick - but I was so wrong. The drinks were very boozy, aesthetically pleasing and tasted fantastic. Their food menu also looked so good so we also decided to get a couple of apps to accompany our drinks. We got the Shrimp Dumpling (steamed shrimp and chicken dumplings served with homemade creamy ginger lemon soy sauce) and Curry Puff (chicken, sweet potato, shallot in the rice dough served with sweet chili peanut dipping sauce) and I am so mad at myself for not ordering more food here (we had lunch reservation elsewhere). The presentation was spot on, portions were generous and everything was super flavorful - the curry puffs tasted like Indian Samosas! The woman attending us was very sweet and pleasant. Would definitely return for more food and drinks, not too far from DC so maybe one of my next DC trips will drag me here!

Alice Comfort Cocktail is such a hidden gem in Old Town. If you're looking for a fun, slightly…read morewhimsical vibe with cute decor, solid food, and really well-made cocktails, this is definitely the spot. Just a heads up though the space is pretty small so I'd recommend making a reservation. The bar itself only has like 3-4 seats. I tried the shrimp dumplings, crab rangoon, and bang bang shrimp, and had the litchi cocktail with it--everything was honestly so good. Really glad I stumbled across this place and I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

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Alice Comfort Cocktail - Interior

Interior

Alice Comfort Cocktail
Alice Comfort Cocktail - Alice cocktail

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Alice cocktail

The People's Drug - Truffle Fries

The People's Drug

3.9(397 reviews)
0.1 mi•Old Town Alexandria, Braddock Road Metro
•$$

The People's Drug....a throwback to the 90s and decades before when this drugstore dominated the DC…read morelandscape. CVS bought them out. This was named in homage to the brand. Cool backstory huh? Anyhoo, met some friends for drinks here and it was fantastic. The People's Drug has been reimagined, with a general store, lunch counter style but a decidedly modern take on its offerings. Serving chef-driven gourmet sandwiches, locally-sourced bowls, and crafted cocktails, it's the perfect place for all manner of social indulgences. I spent $100 on drinks. I had a Negroni Incognito w/Italian Dill and a couple Old Fashioneds. We didn't order any food (although it looked good going by). Will definitely try some the next time. Limited street parking so I parked in the lot next door. Warning: the joint is kinda smallish with limited seating so beware depending on when you go! Good stuff.

Extremely small menu but hand crafted specialty cocktails. Although the cocktails are made by…read moretrained mixologist they were prettier than how they tasted. We stumbled upon this place and after looking at the menu must say it's bar food. Think burgers and wings. We ordered the wings and were told they are fried twice and double coated. They were wet and soggy in side. We ended up leaving g and after the waterfront we went to Bugsys to eat as they had more options.

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The People's Drug
The People's Drug - Chicken skins--spicy!!

Chicken skins--spicy!!

The People's Drug - Oaxaca to Tokyo and a Shrute Farm Margarita

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Oaxaca to Tokyo and a Shrute Farm Margarita

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

3.8(902 reviews)
0.0 mi•Old Town Alexandria, Braddock Road Metro
•$$

A solid 2 story Irish bar, we stopped in on a Saturday night to find the bottom bar packed so we…read moreheaded up stairs. There was some confusion on if it was still closed for a private event or not and staff at the front gave us conflicting info. Upstairs was a nice spot, bar is large and they have tables and bar tables. They have some TVs and an area for darts, even though its kind of right where patrons sit so drunk person playing darts could get ya. We started off with Guinnesses and they were tasty, they were just super cold, making it hard to do the new fad of splitting the G. Bartenders were solid and we ordered some potato skins and the jameson oysters to try. Both were pretty good, typical bar food but a nice take. Biggest negative was the restrooms upstairs - really need a facelift, pretty grungy and the mens bathroom was out of toilet paper, paper towels, and soap which is pretty gross.

Introduction to my Scrapbook series & health update to start Scrapbook series:…read more Starting a new Yelp series: Scrapbook series, stuff from Scrapbooks of my now 15 years living in the DC area. I'll have various # of reviews per year. I moved to Alexandria from Arizona on Saturday, October 15, 2011. As a 27 year old at the time and being new to town, I wanted to check out the bar scene in various places like DC, Clarendon, other areas of Arlington, & the city I lived in Alexandria, more specifically Old Town. My scrapbook series of reviews will likely go into 2027 (but I'll get some done from 8/31 to whenever things get bad for me) as I may not be getting much if any Yelp reviews done in October-November time range due to high dose chemo with stem cell replacement. You never imagine what life throws your way. Sure, I had various issues when I was kid, teen, & in 20's, but pails in comparison to 40's for me. In the 20's, job situation was unstable, dating/women drama, etc. But you never imagine that at 15 year anniversary of being in DC area having to do high dose chemo. My experience at Murphy's in October 2011 & beyond: When I lived in Alexandria, this was my #1 favorite & go to bar. I liked a good Irish pub over some club or some generic bar, although I enjoyed some of those to in my 20's. Murphy's staff was cordial here, and beer was good. They had some music at times and could be crowded on a weekend. My 1st weekend in the DC area was October 15-16, 2011, I was busy with moving & settling in and starting job on that Monday. Following weekend I explored DC amongst other fun things. On the 3rd weekend, Friday, October 28, 2011, I explored the Old Town Alexandria bar scene and stumbled across Murphy's Irish Pub. It was also Halloween weekend and there were some people in costumes. I got a chick's phone #. Her name was Adele, like the singer. Tried to get a date with her but never panned out as she claimed to be busy with whatever else. I went to Murphy's a few other times and always enjoyed. I included pic of the October 2011 receipt from my scrapbook. I'm going to take a pic of each thing from scrapbook as that'll take more time, but I had to include the first thing at the very least. All the stuff in for the 2011-2017 living in Virginia era businesses included are just receipts.

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Murphy's Grand Irish Pub
Murphy's Grand Irish Pub
Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

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Don Taco

Don Taco

4.1(1.4k reviews)
0.1 mi•Old Town Alexandria
•$$

I don't make it out to Alexandria too often, but since it was a halfway point between a friend and…read moreme, it worked out perfectly. My friend chose Don Taco because it's one of his favorite spots, and he kept raving about how great the tacos were. And because really, you can't go wrong with chips, salsa, and drinks for a quick happy hour. The salsa which is not pictured had a great smoky kick, the tacos were very flavorful, fresh and hot. The host and waitress were very sweet, kind and attentive. The atmosphere was pretty cool, nothing to complain about. A lot of space, we sat upstairs which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, this place isn't handicap accessible so if you're unable to walk 2 flights of stairs this wouldn't be the a great option. Thank you Don Taco Staff

I visited after my yoga party, and one thing I really appreciated was that they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group at the last minute. We had the entire upstairs area to ourselves, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The restaurant was clean, and I loved the mini fans placed throughout the space--perfect if you're feeling a little too warm or have enjoyed a few drinks! As for the service, it was a bit hit-or-miss. The young lady who took our orders was pleasant, but it took quite a while for drinks to come out. There were also several missing items from people's orders, which caused some frustration since those items had been ordered well in advance. Now, onto the food--the real star of the experience! Everyone in our group enjoyed their meals and had great things to say. I ordered a salmon taco, which I actually saved and ate the next day for lunch, and it was still delicious. The queso, however, wasn't a favorite among our group. On the other hand, the chips and salsa were a hit. The mocktails were excellent, and everyone seemed to enjoy their cocktails as well. Despite a few service hiccups, the food, drinks, and atmosphere made for a great experience. I would definitely visit again.

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Don Taco - Bar area

Bar area

Don Taco - Taco Trio (Top)

Taco Trio (Top)

Don Taco

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Alexandria Bier Garden - Alexandria Bier Garden is a German restaurant located in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Alexandria Bier Garden

3.4(348 reviews)
0.0 mi•Old Town Alexandria
•$$

We went here to see a friend and hang out in the king st area. Parking was easy to find on the next…read morestreet but I believe we got lucky. The birr garden was relatively quiet today given there were no World Cup games but they usually have a crowd for the games. We got several beers and food. I got the grilled chicken doner which came with fries. My partner's royal spicy chicken sandwich also came with fries. Portions were generous and we were able to take some food home too. The food tasted really good!

I was craving a warm salted pretzel with beer cheese so we popped into this place (first-time…read morepatrons). There was an event going on so the downstairs dining area was full, and our only option was the bar or rooftop. We decided on the rooftop, which would've been super fun on a warm spring or summer night. It really was beautiful up there. But, it was cold and had been raining, so it was a bit of a bummer we couldn't be comfortable at a table inside. I figured I could get past being cold if the food was at least good, but the pretzel was dry and hard. They didn't offer beer cheese which was a bummer, so I tried queso and buffalo chicken dips. The dips were yummy despite the lame pretzel. The cherry on top was that the service sucked. The guy working the rooftop bar seemed miserable, like he would've rather been anywhere else. He was rude and snarky when we asked questions about the menu and made us feel like an inconvenience when we asked for to-go boxes. We will not be back.

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Alexandria Bier Garden - Alexandria Bier Garden is a German restaurant located in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Alexandria Bier Garden is a German restaurant located in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Alexandria Bier Garden
Alexandria Bier Garden - Beer flights

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Beer flights

The Light Horse - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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