The Washington Post is surveying its readers to find the best dive bar in the D.C. area, and the only Virginia establishment to make the final vote can be found in Fairfax County.
JV’s Restaurant in West Falls Church (6666 Arlington Blvd) is one of 12 finalists competing in the informal poll. Mostly located in D.C., the finalists rose to the top out of “dozens” of contenders submitted by “hundreds” of readers after the Post asked for favorite dive bars in March.
Stressing in a disclaimer that the poll is “nonscientific,” the newspaper has asked respondents to explain why their favorite bar is “more deserving than the others.” The responses could be published in a future story.
Located in the Jefferson Village Shopping Center at the intersection of Route 50 and Annandale Road, JV’s Restaurant was established in 1947 as the Jefferson Restaurant by Louis and George Dross — the father and uncle of current owner Lorraine Campbell, according to a Northern Virginia Magazine profile from 2017.
Renamed in the 1960s, the restaurant has evolved from a modest neighborhood diner frequented by soldiers from Fort Myers in Arlington, including singer and actor Eddie Fisher, into an iconic but still-unassuming live music venue. A decade ago, it nearly doubled in size, taking over the adjacent pharmacy.
“JV’s is more than just a drinking establishment and diner for regulars like [musician] Vernon Santmayer,” WAMU said in a 2012 story that followed JV’s celebration of its 65th anniversary. “It’s a living room. It’s a dinner table.”
Though music is its main focus, JV’s still serves plenty of food, including burgers, sandwiches, pizza and tacos. Open daily until 2 a.m., the restaurant serves breakfast all day on Sundays, and Friday happy hours start at 2 p.m.
Image via Google Maps
