Last year, Tyson’s Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons, VA) in nearby Northern Virginia added a “twist” to your shopping experience by allowing customers to sip on their favorite alcoholic beverage while strolling throughout the mall. We stopped by for some holiday shopping and spoke with participating restaurants and customers about how it’s going.
Starting last holiday season, those who are 21 years of age and older could purchase an alcoholic beverage from participating restaurants and stroll throughout the common areas and most stores at Tysons Corner Center. Beverages must be in a logo disposable cup provided by the restaurant where you purchased the drink.
While it caused a buzz in the area last year (no pun intended), we didn’t notice as many taking advantage of the offer last Saturday. We spoke with a few restaurants that offer the walkable beverages and they told us that people haven’t taken advantage of the offer as much as this year, but that when customers notice one person doing it, it tends to catch on more for that day.
One group of customers who were sipping on beverages while shopping told us that it has become the norm for them when they stop in. “We have one or two drinks while we shop and it makes our trip to the mall a little more fun before we grab dinner.” Another customer let us know that she likes to try drinks from new places each time she comes, which is something she doesn’t do as often when going to the restaurant just to eat.
Mall information told us it’s definitely still a thing and that it was all over the news last year so it was a bit more popular then than now.
Participating restaurants include Barrel & Bushel, California Pizza Kitchen, Earls Kitchen + Bar, Eddie V’s, TGI Fridays, Shake ShacK, American Girl Bistro, Seasons 52. You can roam with your cocktail on the Plaza and in the common area of the mall. You may take your beverage into retail stores with the signs that say “C’mon in with your drink.” No alcohol is permitted in any parking areas or the parking garage and you can’t bring your own alcoholic beverages. Additional information available here.