The People’s Drug Old Town’s Newest Speakeasy (Alexandria, VA)
The Story: The People’s Drug is Alexandria’s newest speakeasy located right off of King Street in Old town. It is based on the People’s Drug Store in Alexandria in 1905, with an adult twist. It is a new play on your old-fashioned favorites. You still get the comfort of sitting at the lunch counter to enjoy much-improved renditions of your favorite comfort food.
The chef Melvin Urrutia came up with an amazing selection of burgers, sandwiches, and bowls (even healthy ones) to fit the scene. Now, onto my favorite part the drugs, or cocktails. Bar manager Jon Schott came up with a local twist on classic cocktails. I knew Jon from one of his other bars and already knew that he made fantastic cocktails; I could not wait to see what he could do with his own menu. The best part is that no reservations are required!
Experience: I knew that I was a bit bias, so I went in more than once, and I took my friends to ensure an unbiased review. I had no reason to doubt myself. Everyone, including the stranger I made friends with at the bar, thought everything was amazing!
If you have read my blog, then you know I do not like people messing with my favorite drink, the classic old fashioned. Considering that, the Improved Whiskey Cocktail at this fine establishment actually is an improvement on my standard order. To make the lunch counter experience better, watch your bartenders as they hand crush ice, do some fun bottle tricks, and balance every cocktail to the drop of specific ingredients.
I also have to give a shout out to the chef for making an amazing menu to pair with the cocktails. The food is absolutely amazing. I can say from experience that the People’s Burger and Steak Skewers pair perfectly with the whiskey cocktails!
Recommendation: This is a smaller craft cocktail place by design and it’s a more intimate setting. I typically go in and enjoy the lunch counter. It’s also a great place to go to dinner with friends, take a date for a cocktail, or to experience my personal favorite weekend meal, brunch. It has everything that I personally enjoy: relaxed atmosphere, fancy drinks, and amazing food. I hope that you check it out and enjoy! I’m off to yoga, maybe with steak skewers and a Fourth Regiment. Cheers!