Loudoun is renowned for its vine-covered hills, stone-fenced country lanes and farm fields dotted with cows and horses. But we’re not only a rural paradise; we’re an urban destination too, famous for trendy downtowns, fashionable suburbs and stylish town centers. With this urban lifestyle comes a raft of exciting nightlife.
Here, we select 12 of the best nightlife spots in the county.
Let's Meet at the Bar
As DC’s Wine Country and the proud home of the LoCo Ale Trail, we would be remiss if we didn’t kick off with some of our go-to bars. We’ll start with an old favorite: One Loudoun’s Bar Louie. Bar Louie curates that rowdy local watering hole vibe that will bring you back again and again. The handcrafted cocktails, local and regional beers (with over 20 on tap), delicious wines, lively DJs and gastropub food deliver a welcoming urban ambiance. Don’t resist the urge to shake your tail on the dance floor!
Connect with fellow craft cocktail lovers at Tarbender’s Lounge in historic downtown Leesburg. This dimly-lit speakeasy's menu features originals such as the Son of a Bee Sting and the Hurricanado-Vodka, as well as fruit-forward originals like the Wild Citrus Spice and the Strawberry Lavender-Vodka – a strawberry lavender, lemon and vodka-based gem. The retro ambiance and corner tables lit with the golden glow of lamplight will sweep you from 2024 back to the 1920s.
Just up the street from Tarbender’s, located in a cool, low-slung wood floor garret above ever-popular restaurant SideBar is Night Shift, the craft cocktail bar of hipster Leesburg mixologist and musician Richard Smith. Smith and his team create classic and original cocktails for a trendy yet discerning clientele. Try everything from Whiskey Sours, Old Fashioneds and Negroni's to fun inventions such as the Spritzing Thru: a spiced cherry aperol, allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, coconut washed brandy concoction with prosecco. There’s great music and light food from SideBar downstairs.
Looking for a more relaxed vibe? Head to one of our favorite wine bars, where upbeat meets un{wine}d. The Gold Cup Wine Bar at Salamander Resort & Spa is the ultimate in sophistication: long bar counter, wood-paneled walls, leather armchairs and an outdoor terrace for warmer evenings. The bar features classic cocktails while the extensive wine list often features Loudoun vintages from the likes of Greenhill Winery & Vineyards and others.
Over in Purcellville, head to the ground-level wine bar and basement pub of fine dining restaurant West End Wine Bar & Pub. The sublime wine list features local vintages from Walsh Family Wine, Fabbioli Cellars, and Boxwood Estate Winery among all the European and New World selections, while the cozy stone-walled basement pub with wood-burning fireplace is where things get lively later on. Order a Moscow Mule from superb bartender Tory, admire the exposed brick archways and rustic wood beams and soak up the great company.
Little old Lovettsville may not be everyone’s idea of a nightlife hub, but those people have not been to 1836 Kitchen & Taproom in the heart of town. The food is superb – juicy rib eye steaks, char grilled salmon, truffle frites and the like – while the Loudoun forward wine and beer list is excellent. What we really love though is taking a stool at the ship’s galley bar counter, ordering a perfectly poured Hendrick’s Martini and bantering with the locals, everyone from farmers and hunters to doctors and tech execs. Magic.
Out on the Town
The best way to guarantee a great night out on the town is to fill up on a delicious dinner. Spice up your night at Sense of Thai in One Loudoun. This bar-restaurant focuses on the most flavorful Thai food topped off with deliciously inventive cocktails. With a resident DJ spinning old-school hits every Friday and Saturday, late nights and weekends bring a fun crowd.
How about a night of tacos, craft beer and cocktails from three different purveyors without leaving your spot? The Sterling Collective complex in eastern Loudoun houses the taproom of beloved local brewery Crooked Run Fermentation, an outpost of spicy New-Mexican Senor Ramon Taqueria and trendy craft-focused cocktail bar Nectar. After the beer and tacos, enjoy inventive cocktails.
If you haven’t been to Echelon yet, book a table forthwith. The classy Manhattan-style basement wine bar and restaurant of Todd and Aimee Henkle, owners of the Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek, has one of the most extensive wine lists in Virginia – everything from French, Italian and Spanish vintages to Australian, South African and American wines. Naturally, Echelon has Lost Creek bottles, too. Savor small plates such as burrata mozzarella and tomato jam, pan-seared bay scallops and lamb meatballs with your wine while soaking up the fashionable scene.
Music, Film and Theater
Opened in 1931 as Leesburg’s first movie house, Tally Ho Theater is now the flagship Loudoun live music venue featuring big names such as David Allen Coe and Uncle Kracker, frequent touring cover acts and popular local legends such as Emmet Swimming and My Kid Brother.
Known alternatively as the “Key West of Leesburg” and “Beermuda”, MacDowells Brew Kitchen is a popular Leesburg hangout famous for its sand-covered, palm-shaded outdoor beach bar with a marooned boat for décor and a busy stage. Watch local musicians light up the night and talented regulars take part in frequent karaoke sessions. Who needs Florida?
Fancy a late-night movie – with dinner, beer and wine? Make your way to One Loudoun favorite Alamo Drafthouse Cinema where you can watch the latest art house release or Hollywood blockbuster while being served juicy cheeseburgers, gourmet sandwiches, craft beer, award-winning wines and a superb selection of house cocktails. There are also milkshakes for the kids. Going to the movies has never been so much fun.
Looking for late-night drama? Look no further than the wonderful Stagecoach Theatre Company in Ashburn, a beloved community theater that hosts cabaret and improv comedy nights as well as intimate dinner theater productions and entertaining, interactive murder-mysteries for the whole family.
