After more than two years in business, Mackenzie’s Tunes & Tonics can finally live up to the first half of its name.
The bar and restaurant in Old Town Fairfax (3950 University Drive, Suite 210) can now host live music, a new chapter that it will commemorate with a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. today (Thursday) and a weekend of “special events.”
“This milestone approval opens the door to more diverse entertainment options, open mics, and themed weekends that will further enhance Fairfax’s vibrant cultural landscape,” the business said in a press release.
The Fairfax City Council voted on Nov. 18 to approve a special use permit allowing live entertainment inside Mackenzie’s, which was established by former Coyote Grille manager and Old Town Fairfax Business Association director Joshua Alexander on June 1, 2023.
It didn’t take long for the bar to embrace the change, hosting local musician Juels Bland two days after the vote.
“This approval is not only a testament to the community [Alexander] has built, but also a celebration of the small business growth that continues to strengthen our city,” Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read said. “A vibrant entertainment scene is essential to Fairfax’s future, and we are proud to support establishments that bring people together, energize our local economy, and enrich the cultural fabric of our community.”
In addition to open mics on Wednesday nights, Mackenzie’s calendar currently features karaoke events and near-daily musical acts. Burke guitar duo Elements of Kindred will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), followed by the cover band Yard Sale Kings at that same time on Saturday (Dec. 6).
More expanded entertainment offerings at the venue will be unveiled early next year.
Open six days a week, Mackenzie’s boasts a drink menu with 13 different craft cocktails and eight craft beers, as well as an extensive food menu with traditional pub fare.
