Inside the 1969 Basement Bar Hidden Beneath Astro Beer Hall — A Smoky Bar Without the Smoke

Hidden beneath Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington, Virginia, there’s a secret world waiting to be discovered: a fully immersive 1969-themed basement bar that pays tribute to one of the wildest, most iconic years in American history. We built this space to feel like you’ve stepped straight out of a time machine—minus the cigarette smoke that used to hang in the air at every bar in America. It’s a smoky bar without the smoke, rich with nostalgia, color, and history humming from every wall.

The room is wrapped in incredible original and reproduced artwork from 1969, capturing everything that made that year unforgettable. You’ll spot Woodstock posters, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the earlier Apollo missions, vintage cigarette ads, Joe Namath in all his swaggering glory, and a full tribute to the Miracle Mets. Everywhere you look, something sparks a memory, a smile, or a “wow, that really happened in ’69?” It’s a shrine to a year when culture, music, sports, and technology all seemed to explode at once.

While the basement celebrates the past, the upstairs at Astro Beer Hall kicks things into the future with its space-travel-inspired design—big, bold, playful, and full of energy. Giant room, huge beer selection, cosmic décor, and a vibe that contrasts beautifully with the cozy retro hangout downstairs. Both spaces are tied together by the great food from Astro Donuts & Fried Chicken, which brings all the comfort, crunch, and fun you want when you’re settling in for a great night out.

In the end, the 1969 Bar is exactly what we hoped it would be: a hidden, retro escape tucked inside a modern beer hall—warm, weird, wonderful, and totally unique. If you’re in Shirlington, come down the stairs, take in the art, grab a drink, and enjoy a bar that channels the soul of 1969 without the haze of cigarette smoke hanging over your head.