Alexandria's Light Horse Reopens Downstairs As Dining Bar

ALEXANDRIA, VA—If you've ever headed to The Light Horse for a drink and a game of shuffleboard lately, perhaps you've noticed the downstairs area was closed off. That's because the restaurant was preparing to open its new dining bar area offering a new kind of experience for patrons. The downstairs dining bar opened on Monday, Oct. 15.

While the upstairs stays true to a college bar-type atmosphere with games, live music and dancing, the downstairs area offers a more upscale dining scene. The 1,600-square-foot downstairs has seating for 34 people and 22 more seats at the bar. The second floor has 2,600 square feet and can fit up to 150 people standing and 15 more at the bar.

Operating partner John Jarecki told Patch the two levels are distinguishable: "the upstairs is fun" and the downstairs is to "have a nice dinner and talk to your friends."

With the dining bar comes a new menu covering everything from bar bites to full meals and a eclectic cocktail menu. Chef Chafik Hocine, who most recently was opening chef for Grady’s in DC, developed the menu. A native of Algeria, he drew inspiration from his North African roots and travels to Vietnam, China, South Africa and Morocco. Guests will find appetizers like Cajun crab dip, hushpuppies and bacon-wrapped dates along with main courses like duck, pork loin and braised lamb ragout.

Light Horse's bar manager Christopher Hyman developed a menu of cocktails in two categories: "fun" and "fancy." On the "fancy" side, patrons will find Hyman's twist on classics like a Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Sidecar.

The "fun" menu takes a lighter approach to cocktails with mixes like the Pixie Rainbow Fancy Bubbles with edible glitter, house-made flavored sugar cube, bubbly and Green Hat gin. One of its cocktails—the Black Betty—is only available after midnight. If you're not a cocktail person, there's a selection of 18 craft beers on tap and 60 beers by the bottle, as well as a wine list showcasing some picks from female winemakers.

The bar itself has a unique eye catcher: tree-like figures designed on the bar using a wood burning technique. If you visit at night, the figures will glow. Other features at the bar include mantels bought at antique shops and romance novels used to present checks.

The Light Horse is named after Maj. Gen. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee III, an American Revolution leader, father of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Old Town resident. The building itself dates back to the Civil War era, and Jarecki intended for it to have a worn-in, natural feel that works well in Old Town.

The Light Horse is located at 715 King Street and is open from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. It is open for dinner from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and a late night menu is available from 10 p.m.-close. Later in October, the restaurant will begin offering lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The restaurant is celebrating its 10th anniversary (Thanksgiving) with a special celebration the weekend before. For more information, visit www.thelighthorserestaurant.com.

All images via Xavier Dussaq of Main Street Hub