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The Commodore opened March 12 at 220 North Lee Street, bringing its playful nautical theme, casual pub menu and sprawling game rooms to Old Town Alexandria.
The self-described “five-star dive bar” replaces Mystic BBQ & Grill and is the second location for the Washington, D.C.-based restaurant and bar. Owners Rob Van de Graaff and Executive Chef Steve Kim celebrated the opening with a mid-March ribbon cutting, swapping traditional scissors for a large trident.
“A lot of locals were there for the opening,” Founders Park resident Sandy McDowell said. “We are looking forward to having a place to go.”
At roughly 6,900 square feet, the Alexandria outpost is considerably larger than the original Dupont Circle location. Its multiple rooms include two full-service bars, a main dining area and spaces equipped with arcade machines, pool tables and dartboards.
Another room is reserved for private events and programs such as trivia. Nautical decorations carry the concept throughout the building, including a prominent mural depicting a diver fighting a kraken.
The menu largely follows the D.C. location’s offerings, with burgers, sandwiches, pastas and shareable pub dishes. Alexandria-specific additions include Chicago tavern-style pizzas made with thin, cracker-like crusts.
Behind the bar, customers can choose from 11 draft beer lines, classic mixed drinks and cocktails on tap. Draft selections include the Navy Grog, while espresso martinis are also served from the tap.
Van de Graaff said longtime customers living in Alexandria helped inspire the expansion by encouraging the team to open a location closer to them. At the ribbon cutting, he thanked city officials and Old Town residents for their support, calling the new restaurant a significant milestone after more than a decade of operating in Washington.
With games, cocktails, approachable food and an intentionally unpretentious atmosphere, The Commodore is positioning itself as a new gathering place for residents and visitors along the Lee Street corridor.