Captain Gregory's

Some bars serve drinks and some are an experience. Captain Gregory's is definitely an experience. It has a fun speakeasy style entrance (don't want to give it away). Unique island/tropical decor and super stylish accents/glassware/details. We loved the drinks! Our bartender Jag did a wonderful job of making us feel comfortable on our 1st visit and made some guided us through the menu. We will definitely return.

Really cool speakeasy hidden in plain sight! Cocktails are incredibly unique, but an expertly balanced blend of flavors that you wouldn’t expect to work well together, but they hit the nail on the head! I stopped in traveling through on a slower Wednesday, but can definitely see how reservations would be recommended. Snack/food options are available too and looked delicious. Highly recommend and will be back!!

Captain Gregory's is a speakeasy with really tasty drinks! Their drink selection is made up of traditional favorites with their own flare. We enjoyed each drink we tasted and the food didn't miss any marks!

Really enjoyed drinks here! Cute spot hidden in plain sight. Cool entry ambiance, good vibes inside. Great and unique cocktails. Only thing is that they seemed incredibly understaffed. The very kind host/waiter seemed incredibly overwhelmed and was virtually the only staff member we saw in the establishment. Note that they were at capacity, and we were early, so they didn’t let us in until at our reservation time and even a bit after.

Truly craft tiki cocktails (and under $20!). Speakeasy-beachy esque vibe. Highly recommend the banana rum old fashioned, their Mai Tai, and their Tiki drink. Such well balanced flavors.

I’ve visited Captain Gregory’s three times over the past three years and it is by far the best speakeasy experience in the DC area! The drinks are fantastic - delicious and true works of art. The service is impeccable and the vibe is perfect for a romantic date night or nice relaxing chat with a friend. The quality far exceeds the speakeasies and cocktail bars I’ve visited in DC, which often charge a higher price. If I lived closer, I’d be here all the time. 100/10 would recommend!

We have been coming here from day 1. It has been such an incredible thing to watch how it has evolved over the years. It has reached it fullest right now. The space is gorgeous, the drinks even better and the staff is like no other. Thank you for being a part of our celebrations time and time again. Can’t wait to celebrate with you all soon!

We were here after their renovation. I personally like the small and personal experience. When they turned big, they have changed the customer service. The place was empty and sent us to corner. I think a lot of great drink options.

Service: outstanding! I asked for some whiskey cocktails and EVERYTHING SINGLE ONE was delicious! Food: small bites but totally knocked it out of the park! The whiskey cocktails I got were amazing. I even receive a small champagne since it was my birthday. They have a new menu every few weeks so it's enticing to come back!!! Ambiance: very small speak easy so you'll definitely need reservations about a week in advance. Decor is like the inside of a ship. I thought it might be tacky but they did a really good job. I can't wait to go back and try their new menu!

I throughly enjoyed my experience at Captain Gregory's Christmas in the Keys! The speakeasy concept is very unique. Upon entering, you pull the flag, and you're greeted by one of the servers. We didn't make a reservation but were able to get seated on an early Saturday evening. The majority of the drinks were rum based with a few bourbon options on this rotating menu. The service was great and so were the drinks. I will definitely be back! Another Old Town Alexandria gem!

Absolutely loved my experience at Captain Gregory's. My friend was visiting town and had never been to a speakeasy. When we pulled up to park outside she mentioned that the place looked closed. I love the fun of a hidden bar and would say Captain Gregory's knocked it out the park. When we entered, the signs and posters make it look like they're a tour company selling excursions. Once we followed the instructions to enter the bar, the space was beautiful with a nautical theme. Someone came over immediately to greet and seat us. We only ordered drinks, but they were both amazing! I'd love to visit again and explore more of the menu.

The drinks were great. Super intimate setting, very personable service. Our bartender / mixologist, Drew, was fantastic. We ran the gamut on the drink menu and didn't find one that wasn't well made. Of course we liked some over others, but all were great. I highly recommend for what it is. If you are looking a woohoo bar night, this isn't it. If you are looking for well created drinks, a great environment, then this is it. Book a reservation. Lastly, it doesn't mean their drinks won't put you on your ass, just saying it isn't a "shots" or order whatever you want type drinks, type of place. We will definitely be back, for the great drinks and ambiance.

I'm a long time customer and fan of this establishment. Drinks are fantastic and they've an incredible revolving theme/menu for drinks and appetizers. Great place that I'll frequent for a mother decade!

It's a vibe in here. From the entrance to the drinks to the snacks we had. We were sat at the bar and enjoyed our convo with the bartender. The cocktails are $20 and I had already been drinking so just opted for one and some scallops of all things. Idk, there was a marine theme. They were yummy, i am growing very fond of scallops. The donuts were also very good. They came from next door. I really like the ambiance here and glad we got to stop by.

What a great find in Alexandria! My husband and I really enjoyed ourselves at Captain Gregory's. Definitely recommend making a reservation especially Fri-Sun or you will be waiting a while .I over heard the host mention that there was a 2hr wait so I was glad we were able to walk right in! Ambiance is very intimate, dark, romantic. Great place to have a date night, catch up with a friend or a solo night. Bonus: The playlist was fire! The menu changes quite frequently but we had the Duck Fat Tots, Pork Belly & Wagyu Burger. Chef's kiss to them all! The Pork Belly was mainly fat but that's our favorite part so no complaints from us. Drink wise, I let the bartender pick for me each round and he didn't miss! My husband stuck with the Whiskey Old Fashion which he enjoyed. We will be back!

This is a speakeasy so it is very hard to find. If you enter the restaurant that's marked on the map as Captain Gregory, you will find a flag on the wall. Pull down on that and they will let you in! It's very dark inside but they followed the pirate theme very well. It was a cool experience with strong alcoholic drinks. We ordered the Brussels sprouts which were really good. The server was also very nice. All in all, it was a cool experience!

Drinks were out of this world good. Food from the adjacent Railbird Kitchen was incredible. Small space, but not crowded. Terrific music played in the background without ruining conversation.

Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 4.5/5 There's something so primally fun about an actual hidden bar. Whether it conjures up magical medieval castles, sordid speakeasies, or murder mystery mansions, it's just a great way to enter for your libations. And Gregory's commits fully to the bit. Once inside the hidden passage, you are very convincingly in the belly of a nautical ship. The drinks are also top notch. Fair warning, you have to be an adventurous drinker as they don't have a full menu - it's very limited to their specific cocktails. However, their drinks are pretty great and unique - replete with smoke and other cocktail goodies. The reason it's not 5 stars? The service was slow and relatively infrequent (i.e., you're sitting around awhile to wait to place your next order). And I wasn't at all impressed with the food. The devilled eggs we ordered tasted kind of sour (not the flavor profile I was looking forward) and the warm donuts were OK but too dry/crumbly. But you don't come for the food, you come for the ambiance and fantastic drinks. And you won't be disappointed!

The drinks here are so fun and inventive, and I totally love the speakeasy vibe here. It sort of feels like you're in a ship that's been infused with a tiki bar. Reservations are basically a must because the bar is really small. They have maybe 10 tables and a bar, so it never feels too crowded and the volume never feels too loud. Of the few times I've been here, every drink has been great. The menu rotates frequently, so it's unlikely you'll have the same offerings unless you visit in a really short timespan. While there are some food items available, it's by no means a full meal. That being said, their food is really tasty. We came here for restaurant week a few months back and were blown away by the food options for a more "traditional" meal. Servers are also super friendly and the service in general is great.

We enjoyed our night out to Captain Gregory's. The drinks were good. Note: you really have to order drinks from the menu they don't have other options. Even something as simple as a rum and coke isn't an option. The secret entrance is cute and the space is intimate. I wouldn't go back but I'm glad I gave it a try.

Just some tourists dropping by on a random week night during the summer. I'm glad that we checked this fierce little speakeasy out. We almost didn't go in at all because the restaurant the speakeasy was in was dark and empty. We had some unique cocktails (pricey but not surprising) and chatted with a very friendly bartender who engaged in conversation and answered our questions about the neighborhood. The best part about this venue is the charming decor and sexy date night vibes.

The hidden bar has (thankfully) been a long-obsolete necessity but speakeasy establishments seem to have become increasingly popular. Some are speakeasies more in name, given there's no real need for secrecy and deliberately hiding your bar is likely bad for business. Captain Gregory's does a good job of merging the "hidden bar" vibe with availability. Originally paired with a Sugar Shack donut shop, the bar really has a hidden entrance behind a false wall. The namesake ship's captain from Maine is credited with inventing the modern donut, cutting a hole in a ring to better cook the insides than the previously-traditional diamond and long shapes of fried cakes and twisters. Sugar Shack has now been replaced with a paired sister restaurant: Railbird Kitchen. As for the bar, Captain Gregory's offers top-end, craft cocktails. The menu regularly rotates and they keep it seasonal. When we went, we had a Pine Smoked Old Fashioned, Siren's Hymn, Jaws of the Python, and Royal Regatta. Walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that Captain Gregory's is a small, intimate space with deserved popularity and a reservation is required if you want to be certain you'll get in. They do charge for it, however, it also includes their namesake donuts.

Family recommended we stop in here for drinks before dinner and it was AWESOME! I love a good speakeasy. There's a little flag hanging on the wall that you pull down to alert the staff to open the door. I definitely recommend making a reservation because they were getting busy quickly and we were only there on a Thursday at 5, so weekends are probably even busier. Our server was so great. He knew the drinks really well. I loved the selection of cocktails and ended up ordering American Werewolf in London. So good. The cacao nibs were the perfect touch on top. We were met with little champagne shooters immediately upon sitting down at our table and then key lime coconut donuts came out halfway through our time there. Those donuts were insanely delicious. I loved the whole vibe inside- the lighting was perfect and it was cool temperature wise. Super comfortable seating. I wish I lived closer to be able to come back more often!

Went to Captain Gregory's, a nautical themed speak easy on a Tuesday night. We arrived a little early for our reservation so we had to wait outside until the secret entrance would allow us in. This was my first time here and I found the inside very welcoming and cozy. The bartender was knowledgeable and explained the menu very well. We did not have any food but with the reservation came delicious donuts. Try to read the picture wall in this review for the story. I found the pricing a bit high for an old fashioned, but I am sure the rent is high in this location. Great for small, intimate parties only. Make that reservation. You need it.

Our favorite speakeasy in the DC area. Excellent cocktails and a very lovely staff. Very high quality drinks - worthy of a visit.

We visited recently for a date night. This is a hip, intimate spot. The setting is dark and cozy with a few small tables up front, a bar area, and another seating section at the back. Intimate is the word - the space is quite small. We made reservations and were greeted after a short wait with complementary champagne, since I'd noted that we were celebrating Mr. G's bday. We each started with a cocktail (Goats for me and Banana for the Mr.) and ordered two small plates. The deviled eggs were good, but the pork belly was to die for. My only complaint of the evening was that the plates were cleared before I could finish scraping (read: licking) all the sauce from them. The drinks were quite flavorful and indulgent. The banana one was a spin on a gin fizz and really impressed. We finished off the evening with one more drink for the man and the complimentary donuts (make sure you read the wall by the bar). They were hot and delightful! I've recommended Captain Gregory's to several people already. If you want to tuck up close for a cozy date night, this is just right. The bill will reflect the indulgence of the evening, but it's an experience, not just a bar. Expert Tip: Be sure to make reservations! We saw a bunch of hopefuls turned away who hadn't.

super cool place. i surprised my two friends that have lived in the area and never been before. the place looked closed which made the surprise even better. when we entered a couple behind us almost ruined the surprise by trying to slide/force push the door open which was really odd. they also didn't have reservations so got turned away. they say you can try to get on the waitlist but it is a lot easier if you just book beforehand on resy! don't remember what drinks we got but the darker solid glass (middle) was the best, then the one to the left of it and in third the far right. donuts were fresh and delish as well. they sell small plates but we did not get any. however, the waiter was good and he also shared some facts about the place and captain gregory so extra points for him for being interesting. would love to come back and try some of their food. drinks are so fun and tasty! great ambiance, the only thing i would suggest would be a better playlist haha. they miss out on a great opportunity to place some good music here.

I've come to Captain Gregory's multiple times over the last few years. Similar to other recent reviewers, I am extremely disappointed in the recently added reservation fee of $6-7/per person. Attached is a picture of what is noted when you reserve via Resy "reservation cost covers a curated treat for the evening that arrives with the bill." The server had no idea what I was talking about and said she guessed that statement referred to small hard candies we were served with the bill I can understand charging a fee for no-shows, but a reservation fee with the impression that patrons will receive a treat worth ~$5 is a ripoff, especially at a place where drinks are already on the pricier side. Drinks are good for the most part but there are so many great cocktail bars in alexandria without reservation fees. If you happen to be in the area you could try, but if not there are many other options

Nice intimate spot! Drinks were great and such a creative theme! Make reservations will return!

Capt Gregory's was outstanding. The place oozes ambiance and the bartenders were on point. To get to this speak easy you have to pull the flag on the right. The door opens and you are transported to another world. The drinks where spectacular. They have a rotating menu and classics that stick around. This is a great place whether you are looking for happy hour or apps and drinks. It's a place I plan to return to.

this place is REALLY cool. not only does it have a fun flag that you tug to get in, but the inside is beautiful, especially the bar. it IS quite expensive, as the drinks are fancy and sort of like art to the bartender, but also so delicious. Definitely will be bringing people here when they visit.

Great little speakeasy. The entrance was fun and the cocktails were custom made by the bar staff. Food was delicious.

Captain Gregory's is one of the most fun speakeasies/cocktail bars I've been to anywhere and definitely ranks highly among NoVA/DC area speakeasies. They really sell the speakeasy aspect. There's no street level signage, you pull a flag to get in and then they open up a wall. They have excellent drinks. The service is great. And, the decor is pretty fun, with a mix of quirky ocean-themed decorations, tools hung on walls, maps as wallpaper (and, having once been a little boy, I love a good map), etc. They also do a great job at writing their menus. Drinks are well categorized... the menu changes seasonally, but it's currently divided among shaken drinks (generally less boozy), stirred drinks (generally more boozy), and infusions. The drink names give you a sense of the flavor profile. It's all spelled out so that the thing you think you want is likely to be something you actually particularly enjoy. The service is also very good. Captain Gregory's delivers the full experience. Highly recommend.

Very cool speakeasy-style cocktail bar! Menu (allegedly) changes every 6-8 weeks. I especially appreciated the fact that the family of (e.g., Old Fashioned, Negroni, Daiquiri, etc) to which each drink belongs is indicated on the menu. It's also a pretty diverse cocktail menu; no matter what your preference is, you'll be able to find something that sounds good. There are a couple of small plates on offer, but we only sampled the donut holes (delicious). Decor is outstanding - someone took some time, effort, and money to make the space unique, interesting, engaging, and cool - which is more than I can say for some "speakeasys." Make a reservation!

Visited recently with friends. Fun, low key atmosphere with excellent drinks. The food options were tasty as well. Reservations recommended and would definitely go again.

Screw that place. I showed up and came in the back door but was turned away. There was a table for four open and three seats at the bar available but I was told they wouldn't have an open spot for three hours. Goodbye

This place wins on ambiance. From the cool secret door that you pull a rope to enter to their themed craft cocktails that are as strong as they are creative, to their cool pirate theme, you just can't go wrong for a night out with a friend or two. It's small but that's part of the charm. It's a speakeasy after all. The bartender was hilarious and outgoing though he mentioned it was his last week, I'm sure they got some other cool person to work there. Highly recommended!

The concept behind Captain Gregory's is a good one- a speakeasy inside a plant-based donut shop. Genius. Here's what's to love: 1) Concept: It's one that attracts all types of people. The inside is dark and feels like a true speakeasy with candles lit and a lone bartender making craft cocktails. During the pandemic, they have outdoor seating and limit inside seating to help keep everything safe. 2) Food: There's a small menu of small plates like brussels sprouts and even seasonal donuts. When I went, they have 7-8 donut flavors available. 3) Service: It's stellar. The person who greeted us once we raised the flag to open the wall to get in was very friendly, helpful and attentive. The only thing to note is the cocktail list is unique, but skews a more sweet palate. I have a sweet tooth and found my drink a bit too sweet. My housemate likes stiff drinks and thought he ordered one, but it ended up very sweet. Also, the prices are $15 per cocktail, a little expensive.

The decor is so special, and the service and drinks are exceptional! It would be wise to make reservations or you may wait for a while! It's totally worth it though.

I hope you can see my raving review for the normal speakeasy experience, but I'm writing today about their Sunday tea as well. I LOVED this experience. The tea was delicious and the sandwiches and desserts were phenomenal. I've been to high teas in other hotels and establishments in this area, but I enjoyed my experience here the most!

Enjoy the idea behind this speakeasy but it's so small that I felt like I needed to rush to let someone take my spot. As others have mentioned, the fact that you need to pay for a reservation is unfortunate and off-putting. Cocktails were fine. Ambiance is cool and the bartender was nice but it's a little unfortunate to feel rushed.

Super cute spot!! Have only had drinks here but love the intimate vibe. Will have to come back to try some of the food. Service was good because it's so small.

Not too shabby, but by no means perfect. Vibe is cute, and drinks are good. Not sure if I would come back though.

I absolutely love this speakeasy. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and will help point you to the best cocktail choice. The vibe is dark and romantic so it's great for a date night.

Used to love this place. Drinks were ok, but not as good as they were before COVID. Food was pretty mediocre. I didn't mind the $300 tab for overpriced drinks (that were mostly ice, with cute garnishes) and appetizers, but not applying the $5 per person plus tax (on what?) reservation fee to the tab sends a big FU to your customers. Message received. You'll never see us again. Also: your crab cakes suck. This isn't Kansas. Step it up.

What a fun place! The ambiance can't be beat and the drinks are unique and delicious. All of the cups are so cute too. I did not try the food, but it was a great way to spend an evening!

Cool speakeasy with interesting nautical vibe. Tom is a super talented mixologist and makes the best cocktails from the menu or his own creations based on whatever ingredients you like.

Came in on a Wednesday by myself to try this place! It's very cute on the inside. I got to try several different items on their menu (4 drinks, 4 foods?) and here are my thoughts: I wouldn't have dinner here. Obviously this is a cocktail bar and their bites are just that. This is a place you'd stop by before dinner to have a drink or two. The deviled eggs were my favorite thing in terms of the food. Nothing else to write home about for everything else. Not a food critic, and I think everyone should try the food for themselves because people have differing opinions and tastes, but I don't know. I had really high hopes for this place and it just fell shy of hitting the mark. Go somewhere else for the Peking duck (which are tacos) as well as the pork belly. There are plenty of places that can prepare these better, including me at home. Glad I got to try them though. Side note, they grab the donuts from the bakery they're in and if you're getting them in the evening, the donuts are prrreeettty dry. The 3 cocktails I had first were pretty good, but not memorable. I've been on the hunt for good cocktails around the city and surrounding area, so I can't say that this really stood out to be as I've tried some pretty darn good ones this summer (Bourbon Steak's Monkey Business cocktail is amazing.) I did not like ballad of the serpent. I thought it tasted like medicine/cough syrup. Don't think I'd come here again because it wasn't for me, but this could make a cute date night place for drinks!

Cozy and off the beaten track. Nice break from commercial and cookie cutter bars. Unique with a chill vibe. Fun Romantic spot.

What a neat little spot! I love a good speakeasy, and it is only better when it's located in a donut shop. The location is small and they do advise making a reservation. We made one for four people through their website the night before. I found that the website showed openings when the Open Table app itself did not. Once you arrive, you pull the flag on the wooden wall just inside the doors of Sugar Shack. They will promptly open the door and seat you. The hostess was also our server, and she was wonderful! So friendly and helpful with any questions we had about the menu. It has that very dim, cozy vibe that I look for in a speakeasy. They were playing a pretty eclectic mix of hip hop/melodic rap music while we were there, which I really enjoyed. We ordered the Alhambra Smash, the Abandoned Apartment in Zurich, and the Breezeway Cooler. They were all wonderful in their own unique ways! My favorite part of these mixology bars is the presentations and they did not disappoint. We were heading to dinner afterwards, but we also ordered the fried oysters and the pork belly as an appetizer. Both were wonderful. Only one person had any intention of eating the oysters but they looked so good that three of us ended up sharing them! The slaw underneath the oyster was a really great tangy/crunchy addition, and the presentation was really cute. Prices are a little high for the food, as it is a very small quantity, but the quality is worth it. Definitely check it out if in Alexandria. We will certainly be back!

Super nice speakeasy! I would've never guessed but the drinks and AMAZING. Our waitress was super nice and explained everything to us. Going again soon!

I came here for a double date with friends, and while the shaken cocktails were delicious and presented beautifully, the reservation system left me feeling disappointed. I made a reservation through Resy, and was charged about $7 per person. The system noted that this fee would cover a "curated treat" that came out with the bill. This turned out to be a single homemade Jolly Rancher for each of us. There were food items on the menu, such as donuts, that cost less. The Jolly Rancher was good...but for $7 a person, I was expecting a bit more. Adding the reservation cost onto the cost of the drinks made for a pricy outing. Not sure I'd return.

Second visit to this place but it's been a few years. Entry was still the same, we pulled the flag and got seated pretty quickly. Got seated at the bar and the bartender was super friendly and helpful. He told us all the drinks were tiki bar themed so that got us excited. The drinks were great, not entirely sure of all the names but I got the Monkey Business because of the banana. The bar staff worked really hard putting all our drinks together and got them out quickly. The snacks were great too, specifically the chips, hush puppies, and the sweet plantains. Also had to pick up donuts of course, French toast and cookies and cream. Great as usual. Parking takes a second to find but there was something available a street away. I gotta come back more often because the ambiance, service and drinks are some of the best around.

Nice hidden gem! Donuts are very tasty! The Red Velvet or blueberry one are the best!

Cute little spot! The setup was so dope. The secret door is so clutch. The bartender made the drinks to perfection. Will return.

We had an awesome night at Captain Gregory's celebrating my husband's birthday. It was great for a fun date night finding this hidden speakeasy! Our server and bartender were super friendly and drinks were deliciously strong. Finding a parking spot could be a challenge but we luckily found a spot close by. Definitely will visit again when we are in Alexandria!

Wow what a fun place!!!! I have been to a few speakeasies, but this entrance is by far the best! Definitely recommend reservations, the seating options are limited. We ordered some fun drinks and even a mock-tail! We decided on some tapas to snack on and share, and we were honestly a little nervous about not filling up or being ok to share these plates. We ordered the Brussels, crab hush puppies, oysters, pork belly and plate of donuts! Oh my gosh, everything was delicious! We were blown away by all of the food and drinks! This place is so fun! I was loving the reggae and the cool environment!