I'm meeting family at IAD this Wednesday and we're heading off to Annapolis for a few days. Unfortunately, we're landing at 5 pm. I'm thinking that we'd be be better off having a drink for an hour or so rather than sitting in traffic. Any recommendations for a good (easy to find) bar near IAD? Maybe one of the hotel bars? Or perhaps we're better off just staying at the airport. I saw a post recommending Vino Volo.
Thanks

If everyone's going to be inside security and likes wine,
Vino Volo is a good choice. It's at the way nether end
of Terminal C, down where the UA international flights
take off.

Landside there's a small bar near security on the UA end of the main terminal. I can't remeber the name.

You could always have dinner in Herndon or Reston while waiting for traffic to clear.

I've also heard good things about Vino Volo. As violist mentioned, its down near the low C gates. The problem is that LH and UA use those gates for quite a few European departures between 4:00 and 7:00 pm, which can mean crowds. When I was at IAD about 9 days ago for a 6:00 pm flight to ORD (that happened to be on a 747) departing from C3, there was a pretty substantial line of people waiting to get a seat at Vino Volo.

The one restaurant/bar outside of security is Harry's Tap Room. I've not eaten there so can't say much about it. I have eaten at the other branch of Harry's in Clarendon and wasn't that impressed -- it seemed like a slightly higher priced TGI Friday's.

As gre mentioned, you could also head to Reston or Herndon for dinner/drinks. While Herndon probably has more character, you might find a greater variety around Reston Town Center.

You might also want to think about something in the Tysons Corner area. You'd be able to use the Dulles Access Road all the way to Tysons, meaning virtually no traffic (until you exit at Tysons) and no tolls (if you exit at Reston or Herndon, when you get back on 267, you'll be on the toll road - cost from there to I-66 or I-495 should be $1.50 or less). There are some pretty decent dining spots/watering holes in the area around Chain Bridge Rd. and Route 7, and easy access from there both to I-66 and the beltway.

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern
697 Spring St
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 435-5467‎
jimmystavern.com

5-10 minute ride from the airport.

pc

Any particular spots to recommend? How's the Hyatt Regency? We might go to Whole Foods in Reston to do some shopping for our boat trip and that would be close by.

If you're considering shopping for food and other provisions for a boat trip, consider Wegmans. (www.wegmans.com) It's about a 5-10 minute drive north of IAD and has everything you could possible want. You'd drive north on Sully Rd. (VA-28), then left on Waxpool, then an immediate right onto Pacific Blvd.

They have prepared food and tables to sit and eat at Wegmans also.
And a pretty good beer and wine selection.
But no bar, and I don't know if you can drink beer/wine at the tables.

I would agree, if you're looking for a bar.

The Mariott on airport property has a decent enough bar.

If you want to shop and eat, Wegmans is the place but as noted no alcohol to drink while on property (plenty to buy). Otherwise, I think you'd be better off heading towards Reston or Tyson using the airport lanes, its not a bad drive regardless of the time of day. Stop for a casual meal and then head over to Annapolis.