Sip & Stroll

Arlington has quietly become one of the most pedestrian-friendly drinking towns in Northern Virginia, thanks to three distinct neighborhoods that have earned official open-container permits allowing guests to carry to-go drinks while strolling their outdoor spaces. The original and most storied of the three is The Village at Shirlington, where Campbell Avenue and South Randolph Street are designated Sip and Stroll territory year-round, 365 days a year. Grab a cocktail from Busboys & Poets, a craft beer from Astro Beer Hall, a margarita from Guapo’s, or a glass of wine from Copperwood Tavern — all in a disposable branded cup — and wander the tree-lined brick sidewalks at your leisure. Certain shops including Dogma Bakery allow you to bring your drink inside. The program has been so popular that the current multi-million dollar renovation of Shirlington specifically incorporates new sip-and-stroll nooks along Campbell Avenue to deepen the experience.

The Crossing at Clarendon operates its own Sip N Stroll program at The Loop, the quarter-mile pedestrian circuit at the heart of the development, where guests can enjoy a drink while browsing more than three dozen retailers and restaurants including Apple, Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, and a strong lineup of local dining options. Westpost, the National Landing outdoor plaza near Pentagon City operated by Federal Realty, rounds out the trio with its own open-container program. Each location has its own personality: Shirlington is walkable, neighborhood-rooted, and ideally paired with dinner and a show at the Signature Theatre; Clarendon is urban and energetic with a strong retail mix; Westpost is modern and dog-friendly, with fire pits and an outdoor screen. All three reward an unhurried evening — the whole point being that the journey between stops is as enjoyable as the destination.