Alexandria, VA – Mango Mike Anderson took to social media with his wife, Sweet Fire Donna Anderson, by his side to announce the closing of their Carlyle restaurant, Whiskey & Oyster.
The restaurant opened in 2019, replacing an old dry-cleaning shop. Anderson thought that there might be some use for the overhead conveyor tracks that used to hold and move the clothing. He installed buckets to house the various whiskeys (more than 100) and it became a signature feature of the restaurant, dubbed the whiskey a go-go.
Unfortunately, the restaurant struggled during and after the pandemic. No stranger to the restaurant scene in Alexandria, Anderson has operated 15 eateries in the city since 1979, when he opened Shooter McGee’s. “Some of them have been great, and some not so great,” Anderson said. “It’s time to move on.” They made the tough decision to not renew their lease; their last day of operation was February 28.
While this chapter of their restaurant life in Alexandria is closing, the Andersons continue to have success with Sweet Fire Donna’s and Tequila & Taco in the Carlyle neighborhood, as well as Holy Cow, Pork Barrel BBQ, and the soon-to-open pop-up Dive Bar in Del Ray.
Customers with gift certificates for Whiskey & Oyster can redeem them at Sweet Fire Donna’s or Tequila & Taco.
Of course, inquiring minds want to know, where will the signature whiskey a go-go end up?
