Courthaus Social – American classics with a German twist in Arlington.   

Courthaus Social is a local favorite for draft beer, catching a game, and outdoor dining in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Just two metro stops from DC it is in a great location and has tons of patio seating. This American beer garden isn’t just known for its large tap list, but also its excellent food!  

I dined on the patio with a group of friends when I visited Courthaus Social. We went without reservations and there was no wait due to the ample seating both inside and outside. The patio is very dog friendly, which is a huge plus for dog owners! 

To kick off our lunch we ordered a round of beers from the huge tap list. When I visited they had 24 beers on tap which included local breweries, domestic favorites, and German import beers. You have the option of ordering a 16oz draft or a 32oz draft. Some of the beers we drank during our visit were Allagash White by Allagash Brewing, Juice Bomb Hazy IPA by Sloop Brewing Co, and Hofbräu Original by Hofbräuhaus München. All were excellent choices that we really enjoyed. 

As an appetizer we decided we had to order the Big Haus Pretzel. What is a beer garden dining experience without eating a large pretzel? Courthaus Social’s version of the pretzel is a jumbo Bavarian style pretzel served with sweet and grain mustard. It was warm and soft with the perfect amount of salt sprinkled on top. This is a must order if you visit the beer garden. 

For my entre I ordered the Courthaus Grilled Chicken Sandwich. This is a grilled chicken breast topped with roasted red pepper, arugula, Havarti cheese, mustard aioli and served on a ciabatta roll. The sandwich was so good! This food is not regular beer garden fare. It’s really fresh, flavorful, and delicious. As a side I ordered the tots, which were the perfect pairing for this sandwich. They offer tots four different ways on the menu; I highly recommend ordering them as a side or a starter with your beer of choice.

Other entrees my group ordered included the Courthaus Burger, the Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and the classic German Bratwurst. Everyone devoured their food and spoke really highly of each dish. We were very impressed with the quality of the food. 

Courthaus Social offers a great atmosphere both inside and outside. We enjoyed our lunch on the shady patio and had wonderful service during our visit. The other groups of people ranged from sports fans watching the many TVs and tourists grabbing a bite to eat before heading into Washington DC for the afternoon. Due to their large menu, you can keep coming back over and over gain to try new beers and dishes. They also have happy hour on weekdays and weekly trivia on Wednesday nights. This beer garden really does have something for everyone. Next time you are in the Courthouse area of Arlington definitely stop by Courthaus Social for a pint and a pretzel!