Alexandria, VA – On Mount Vernon Avenue, near the intersection with Glebe Road, is a small restaurant and bar that specializes in making love connections. Since its opening in early 2019, Hops N Shine has been responsible for at least a dozen matches! It’s not unusual to make a connection in a bar, but these relationships are the FURever kind.
Of course, at the moment Hops N Shine is subject to the same restrictions we all are to combat the spread of COVID-19, but when the world returns to normal, be sure to keep this terrific place on your Go-To list! Read on.
In addition to serving some of our area’s most delicious, unique grilled cheeses (the Holy Cheesus is a favorite) and a vast selection of beer and craft cocktails, Hops N Shine’s outdoor beer garden converts into a dog adoption venue for area rescues to hold Yappy Hours from April through October.
Hops N Shine’s outdoor beer garden is always dog friendly, but owner CJ Cross wanted to utilize his space for rescue groups. Every Tuesday night a different rescue is invited to bring dogs for potential adopters to meet. It’s also an opportunity for rescues to raise some much-needed funds. Tito’s Vodka and Heavy Seas Beer have joined in and contribute a dollar from each of their drinks sold to the featured rescue. According to CJ, this year Hops N Shine will also be contributing to the rescues.
CJ and his family have two dogs from area rescues. They adopted Miles from Lost Dog, and Leo through Lucky Dog. His rescues were the inspiration behind the Tuesday evening events. This year in addition to Tuesday Yappy Hours dedicated to a rescue group, there will be one weekend event a month. These monthly events will allow for rescues to raise additional funds through silent auctions and raffles.
Rescues interested in participating in the Tuesday Yappy Hours or monthly weekend rescue events should contact CJ Cross through Hops N Shine via Facebook or Instagram. Area businesses interested in donating to the raffle or silent auction should do the same. PawsGo has already committed!
Hops N Shine is located at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The website is www.hopsnshine.com. Adoption events are posted on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Karen Johnson is the founder of PawsGo the Alexandria-based online community for people and their dogs, promoting an active lifestyle for both! PawsGo merchandise can be found online and locally at From Head to Tail Grooming and Reunions.
