Living in McLean or anywhere else in Northern Virginia puts you minutes from the action of D.C. while allowing you to spend much of your time in a community with less tourist traffic. There will inevitably be nights when you would rather avoid the crowds in the District and stay closer to home. McLean has some nightlife for those nights that you can explore when the mood suits you.
The great thing about these bars is their diversity, as some are good stops for a quick drink while others offer gourmet cuisine and a wine list to go along with it. This guide will take you through some of the best bars in McLean, VA, and some details about what makes them worthy stops.
7 of the Best Bars in McLean, VA
You’ll see all kinds of styles in various locations as you look at the bars in McLean, Virginia. Some bars fit in with downtown McLean’s serenity, while others are in the livelier Tysons Corner area. Decide what you’re in the mood for and see if one of the spots below is a good fit.
1. The Union
Downtown McLean, VA, is home to The Union, a casual family-owned restaurant and bar with an extensive menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood, steak, and chicken. There’s a kids’ menu too, along with house-made iced tea and lemonade. You’ll find an extensive wine list at the bar, in addition to an impressive Scotch menu and some exclusive cocktail creations. There’s beer by the bottle, can, and pint at The Union as well. The Union sits at 1379 Beverly Road in the heart of downtown McLean, VA.
2. ENTYSE, Wine Bar & Lounge
You’ll notice that ENTYSE, Wine Bar & Lounge provides a slightly different experience than other McLean bars because it sits in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s lobby in Tysons Corner. This bar offers over 60 types of wines by the glass, features an innovative cocktail menu, and has an excellent selection of local craft beers on tap. There’s food at ENTYSE too, featuring small share plates and appetizers, along with a limited selection of pasta, chicken, beef, and seafood dishes. ENTYSE, Wine Bar & Lounge is located at 1700 Tysons Boulevard and is part of the Tysons Galleria.
3. J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood McLean
J. Gilbert’s is a staple in downtown McLean, mainly because of the high-quality steak and seafood dishes it serves. The restaurant provides a warm atmosphere and brings a taste of the Midwest to Northern Virginia through its offerings. The venue’s bar has perhaps the D.C. area’s best selection of bourbons, in addition to craft, local, and import beer and a unique menu of handcrafted cocktails. You’ll find J. Gilbert’s at 6930 Old Dominion Drive on the north end of downtown McLean.
4. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Another dining option in Tysons Corner is Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a restaurant known for its signature steak dishes. You’ll also find soups, salads, chicken, and seafood on the menu, and they have a wide variety of sides available as well. Those visiting Fleming’s for a night out will be happy to know that it has one of the most extensive wine lists in McLean, along with martinis, craft cocktails, and margaritas. You’ll come across Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at 1960A Chain Bridge Road near the Tysons Galleria.
5. Capri Ristorante Italiano
Everything at Capri Ristorante Italiano feels like it’s authentically Italian, as the venue has a great selection of appetizers, soups, salads, pasta dishes, chicken meals, and veal, all served with Mediterranean flair. You’ll find pretty much any form of Italian cuisine you’re in the mood to try at Capri. The restaurant’s bar area is small, but they can make pretty much any cocktail you wish to enjoy with your meal. It’s the venue’s wine menu that gets the attention, though, and for a good reason, as it features multiple by-the-glass offerings as well as bottles from Chile, California, New Zealand, Argentina, and, of course, Italy. Capri Ristorante Italiano is located at 6825K Redmond Drive, on the south side of Old Dominion Drive in downtown McLean.
6. Aracosia McLean
It’s impossible to match everything that Aracosia McLean has to offer when searching for authentic Afghan cuisine in the area. This gourmet restaurant sits in the same building as The Union and has a wide-ranging menu featuring appetizers, soups, salads, kabobs, chops, burgers, and traditional dishes such as qormas. There’s an extensive vegetarian menu too. You’ll find reds, whites, and rosés from across the globe at the bar, including Aracosia’s Special Cellar, which features rare bottles of wine that you won’t find just anywhere. The beer menu isn’t overly large but has options from all over the world as well. Aracosia McLean sits at 1381 Beverly Road in downtown McLean, VA.
7. Lost Dog Café
The first thing you’ll notice as you enter the Lost Dog Café is the restaurant’s unique dog-themed decor. The venue also has some of McLean’s best pizza, in addition to soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. There’s a kids menu too, if you bring your young pups with you for a meal. Another thing you’ll notice quite quickly after wandering into the Lost Dog Café is the bar, which offers over a dozen craft beers on tap and has a comprehensive cocktail menu. There’s also a good wine list at the bar, and you can even grab a growler, six-pack, or bottle of wine to-go if you’re ordering takeout. Lost Dog Café is located at 1690A Anderson Road, just off Dolley Madison Boulevard between Tysons Corner and downtown McLean.
Looking to Move to McLean, VA? Let an Expert Assist You
There are many great bars in McLean, VA, and its surrounding area, but that’s not all this region has to offer. McLean is one of the country’s most exclusive communities and features outstanding shopping, beautiful parks, and luxury residences.
Nomadic Real Estate has the area knowledge and real estate expertise to help if you’re looking to lease a home in McLean, or in need of a property manager to work with your existing tenants. Contact our team for more information about your Greater D.C. property management needs.
