Basin Street Lounge

When I’m in Alexandria for the night, I try to swing by this place because the live music is always a blast and their cigar selections make my cigar-​smoking friends happy.
My one complaint that stopped me from putting down the 5^th star was the bartender that ignored me when I was trying to get a beer or close out. I know it’s part of the game to hustle the high-​rollers trying to impress their clients/​dates, but damn.

My favorite place to smoke cigars in Alexandria. Great ambiance with high end leather sofas and chairs. Great whisky selection. Could use a better beer selection though.

I don’t submit many reviews but this place makes me smile whenever I enter. And I’ve been here about 15 times. Mind you, it is not for everyone since it allows the smoking of cigars (the nerve!), but if you’re looking to let loose and watch a fantastic local blues band while enjoying a cocktail, this is it. Small yet intimate, this joint will have you dancing with your «next door» table in a few minutes. Can’t get enough. Enjoy.

I had a lovely time here the other night. Rachel was working behind the bar, and she was a delight. She is extremely knowledgable about scotch– like Sommelier level awesome– I asked her to make me a few random cocktails, because I couldn’t make up my mind and she delivered!
Incidentally, I ordered the Thai spareribs. They weren’t really to my liking, but the last time I was here I loved the Shrimp Po Boy. I can’t wait to go back!

I have been to some really amazing cigar bars and some not so great ones; this place falls just in the middle. There’s no denying there is a great whiskey list. The music was awesome and I would come back for that for sure. In fact, it was what made the experience for me. Truly outstanding.
The cigars and service were just so-​so. The bartender had a bit of an attitude and seemed a lot more interested in serving some regulars than tending to our group. He did select a nice cigar but I like to think a little more on my choice and I got the impression that he was in a rush and I let that drive my decision.
I would give this place another try — if only for the music. Perhaps it was just one of those nights…

Awsome music, but the cloud of smoke kept us sitting in the outside dining area. Wenesday night with rain meant nobody was there, so we sat down. Once the server realized that the eight of us were not buying a lot, he passed us onto someone else who barely spoke to us and took at least 20 minutes for our 2 banana foster desserts. We had several other people we could have called over from other restaurants to join, but no way since it was obvious we weren’t worth the time. Night before, we tipped a server $ 90 for dinner, so too bad for this restaurant that they took the time to size us up when there were no one else fighting for their attention. This is being posted months late. But since no one from this business responds to any of the negative reviews, no wonder the staff doesn’t care.

Great place, music was very good, can’t go wrong with the padron cigar and a glass of bookers burbon. Food was good, had the jambalaya, staff was very friendly and courteous. Will recommend to anyone, great food if you just want to dine, or if you want live music and cigars, excellent.

This turned out to be a great evening and it was our first time there. If you like cigars, whiskey (200 bottles), and live blues. look no further you can hang your hat here! Decided to treat my sweetheart to a night out that included three of his favorite things and we were not disappointed. From the food, to the atmosphere and last but certainly not least the live blues band, we had a wonderful night. Can’t wait to return!

Great spot to relax, eat, drink, smoke a stogie, listen to live music and dance. It was my first time coming here and most definitely will be returning.

This was an accidental find for my husband and I. Walking out of a nearby restaurant and we heard/​saw the music playing above a bar — Great and rare environment.

Still an excellent place for a cigar but the service seems to have dropped a notch or two over the past year. They’ve lost some of their best bartenders, especially the ones that really knew their scotch. The quality of the cocktails, once an excellent feature of this bar, is now hit and miss.
Great looking bar with a huge selection of single malt scotch. (However, the cigar list is limited so go to the tobacconist next door.) Most of the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly but a couple are clueless and slow.
There is a band most nights. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a $ 5 cover charge automatically added to the bill at 9pm no matter what time you arrived or leave. They tell everyone this and signs are posted all over the place so I don’t know why some reviewers seemed surprised. (Of course, knowing about the cover and being happy about paying it are two very different things.)

I have frequented this place at least once month sometimes twice to make up for the last month I wasn’t there. When in Old Town and you hear live blues music stalking the streets, this is the place. Every night of the week, live music from reputable bands. To the good stuff, large selection of whiskey and other delectable spirits. The bartenders are true mixologists, this not a place that slams rum/​coke, or vodka/​tonic that is unless its your thing. Dirty Martinis, Tom Collins and Sidecars are my drinks of choice here and they have never disappointed, regardless of who was making the drinks.
Want a place to finish off that 10 year old scotch, this place has a nice selection of cigars and you can bring your own or go next door to the cigar shop for your own personal tobacco fixings. If you ask nicely the bartenders will cut or provide cutters and matches. It is a cigar bar you will smell the burnt leaf aroma but they have a great ventilation system, when its warm out the windows are open which also helps.
You will be charged a $ 5 cover charge after 9pm, there is a sign on the door before you even walk the mile high stair case and the bartenders will remind you off the cover charge. Come on people lets be observant.
Friday and Saturday nights are very popular so get there early for a good seat and if you want more intimacy come on a Sunday. Less people and you can have a conversation with your date without having to yell.
Bartenders are attentive and when its crowded they still won’t forget about you, just be patient and the wait will be well worth it.

Good music good service. check out the dead cat bounce band on Saturday August 16^th. 2014

Basin Street Lounge is a great cigar bar nestled off the main drag of King street. Walking in feels like walking into a different era. It’s smoky, leathery, bluesy and very boys club-​ish.
I love it. The servers are super friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy their work. Drinks are pricey, but there are LOTS of choices, so there is something for everyone.
Two minor gripes keeping this from a 5 star rating though. I wish they had a better ventilation system, and I wish the bathroom had better AC.

There’s a lot to like about Basin Street Lounge, but also so much room for improvement. On the plus side, it’s a classy cigar bar with live music. Good whiskey menu. The band was composed of middle aged men who looked like they had boring dayjobs but could still melt your face with kickass blues.
But what’s up with sneaking the $ 5 cover onto your check? The band was awesome, but I don’t automatically want to hear a live band whenever I want to smoke a cigar. The draft beer selection is tiny, and when it’s cold outside the place is freezing. Food is that special combination of mediocre and overpriced you have come to expect in the NOVA area, although they have a secret «bar menu» with burgers, chicken fingers, wings, etc. if you ask.
With the shrinking number of places left in the world where you can enjoy a cigar indoors, I’ll definitely be back here. I may try to time it more in the early afternoon/​evening to avoid the cover.

Came here last night to avoid the $ 5 cover charge (cover is Fri-​Sat), and it was so worth it!
I called ahead of time, and the woman said to come 1.5 hours in advance of 9pm to get a table (no reservations allowed). We got there around 8pm, and the table area was empty; we got a great seat. She also told me business casual attire, so I dressed up a bit. I think as long as you don’t wear sneakers and basketball shorts, you will be fine.
This lounge has a smoky, bluesy, intimate setting where you can get a great drink and smoke a cigar. The food is pretty good too — try the chicken and waffles! The grit fries are creamy and delicious (wish they gave more than just a teaspoon of sauce though) as are the brussel sprouts. I’d take a pass on the collard greens — they were a little sour.
The service was okay — at some points it was very slow, and we were left waiting for our checks. We ended up going to the bar to expedite the process. It was nice, though, that we were asked at the start how we wanted to pay. They demand cards for separate bills even if you pay with cash.
As the night went on, the area did get very crowded near the bar. Around 10pm, people were squished. The tables are set up away from the bar, and every table was taken. The music was nice to listen to and picked up throughout the night. It was a really fun time!
Couple of gripes: the tables are small, so we all kept bumping feet and knees. Just have to deal with it though because of space constraints. Also, the place is chilly! It felt like there was no heat, and the door was opened numerous times which brought in cold air.
Bottom line: we all enjoyed this place quite a bit. We will be back!

Beautiful, lush venue, inside and out. I was visiting my old home town, Alexandria, recently and had the pleasure of checking out old high school mate, Jud, rockin the house with excellent blues. The food was delicious, the interior an visual experience of rich colors, textures, and tastes.
We had 3 dishes: Crab Cakes (excellent), Pernod Oysters (the best!) and the BBQ Shrimp – too much sweet, mucky sauce on that. I would do the shrimp with the sauce on the side next time. Or just w/​o the sauce. Those shrimp were huge and delicious, but quite ruined by the sauce which tasted like from a bottle (sorry: (They said everyone loves that dish, but maybe just not my style. I did like the grits it was served on, too. yum.
Oysters Pernod? Yes. Delicious. Next time I’ll just get three orders of that – maybe some grits on the side.
I didn’t care for the smokey atmosphere, but I’ll set that and the sauce on the shrimp aside because everything else was so good and worthy of a perfect rating.
Blues Train Band with Jud Lawrence was excellent entertainment. Thanks for a rockin visit to my old hood.

Ahh, Basin street. The ultimate dude lounge.
BSL is smokey, filed with old time bluesy music, and features one of the best whiskey selections around. Everything from the basic browns to the vintage and highest quality scotches graces the shelves here, and the bartenders are experts at helping you try something knew or fixing an old fashioned cocktail. (Literally, they make an exceptional old fashioned)
You can (and should) smoke cigars here, and there’s plenty of space in here for hanging out, be it at the bar or in overstuffed leather chairs and coaches.
BSL IS a bit pricey, and the cover charge makes me furious, but it’s all worth it. Great spot.

So I am not a smoker, which would normally mean that you wouldn’t find me in this cigar bar, but the atmosphere here is so cool that I have to say Yes!!! With industrial size smoke eaters, the Basin Street Lounge is one of the cleanest smoking lounges I have ever seen. Oh, and it is old school, my friends, with textured leather bar stools and chairs that just make you want to curl up and enjoy a good bourbon or scotch, Also, the customers are quiet and charming as each has come to Basin Street to enjoy a good cigar and a nice drink.
Another factor on the plus side is that they sell cigars here, but what seems to be only the best quality (None of those truly cheap stogies your sweaty uncle would smoke during Xmas. ok, maybe that was just my Xmas not yours, but you get the idea). Yes, the high quality cigars and the massive smoke eating system make this lounge one a non-​smoker and smoker alike can enjoy in a kind of friendly smoking détente if you will.
This all simply means that one and all can enjoy a truly wonderful bar which is stocked with some best high end spirits in Alexandria. My bartender Brad skillfully mixed up a sazerac that was as good as anything that I have had in New Orleans. His co bartender Jamie was equally professional, bringing a smile to everyone’s rainy Saturday with her charming personality and bar skills. Yes, for anyone who wants to listen to some good Blues, enjoy an excellent drink, and possibly a quality cigar, this is a spot that should be on your list.

Scene: We got lucky and found a parking spot on the street directly across from the bar. You walk past the sister restaurant, 219 Restaurant, and you see a doorway with stairs leading to the second floor bar. Not that unusual in downtown Alexandria. The potent smell of the cigars can be felt from across the street and gets stronger are you enter.
Bar: This is a true cigar bar! There is a pretty good selection of cigars. Prices vary. The bartenders seen fairly knowledgeable about the cigars they offer and some may provide tips for those that are NEW to smoking cigars. This is not your average still in a wooden stool type place. The Bar stools are leather with backing. Surprisingly comfortable. There was minimal «fighting» over seating as folks were pretty nice about scooting down or providing you with a seat.
There is a separate room with more leather chairs and couches if you want to watch the big screen while you hang out. This is a real «man cave». Dont get me wrong there were some ladies puffing just as smooth as the guys.
Whiskey: Im NOT a real Brown Liquor drinker but I can hang when necessary. This place is a bit intimidating because the selection of Whiskey is so extensive. I asked the bartender for any ideas for a «Lighter» drink but he looked at me like I was crazy. SO… I pulled out my android phone and googled some stuff. The bar was fully stocked so I was able to find a recipe that the bartender was able to make. I was happy and Im sure he was happy to get the inexperienced whiskey drinker out of his hair.
They do ask you to start a TAB so that they can «keep up with your purchases easier». I didnt mind as we were going to be there for awhile.
Food: The 219 Restaurant offers a full menu of selections. WE had the chicken and waffles. This came with collard greens and dirty rice. Let me tell ya folks… the collards were off the hook and the dirty rice was phenomenal. I love fried chicken but will say it left a bit to be desired. It needed some seasoning. The chicken was expertly fried to a golden crisp but it needed some salt!!! The waffles were EXCELLENT! I like my waffles really light and fluffy… with crisp edges. These waffles fit the bill! Outstanding! No complaints here… other than the salt on the chicken.
We only ordered one entrée but Im eager to return to try the Crispy Salmon over Stone Ground Grits. Im a southern girl and shrimp and grits is my favorite. Im hoping Salmon and grits will be just as good.
Entertainment: There was a band playing that night. They were awesome. IT was a mix between jazz, blues, R&B with some Louisiana flare. Great time! There were very entertaining. Everyone was on their feet.
There is $ 5 cover fee on every check. Im assuming its to cover the artist of the night. I didnt mind. They were that entertaining.
Overall, this is an EXCELLENT place to go. If you dont mind minimal elbow room, cigars, and whiskey… this is the place.
Other than the smokey smell getting in my hair I had a blast. Definitely will return.