Who we are
DRP Celebrates a Century of Community
Welcome to your new favorite local legend. Del Ray Public House is a neighborhood restaurant with a roadhouse soul and a deep love for Alexandria. Our home at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Del Ray avenues has been a center of gravity for this community since 1908—the birth of the Town of Potomac! For well over one hundred years, these walls have witnessed the evolution of Del Ray.
Today, we continue that legacy by serving as a modern-day "public house"—a safe haven where hand-cut steaks and signature pies meet on a mission for good. We don’t just occupy this corner; we champion it. Through our multiple fundraisers and partnerships with local non-profits, we strive to leave the world better than we found it. Whether you’re stopping in for a quiet pint or a rowdy family feast, you’re part of a timeline that honors the past while building a brighter, more connected future.
Grab a seat, grab a glass, and join us in keeping the heart of Del Ray beating.
Read on to learn more about the history of the amazing historic house we occupy, and also a timeline of DRP over the last decade.
The Living History of 2216-2218 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Our story begins thanks to the efforts of the Town of Potomac Historical Association for their historical research featured in our first two chapters. Their work ensures that Del Ray’s rich legacy lives on. We are so thankful for their dedication to preserving the history of this “slice” of Alexandria. Please visit their site to learn more intriguing Del Ray history.
1907: Dr. Robert Yates and his wife Gertrude purchase the vacant northern half of the block.
1908: The "grand house" is constructed as both the Yates family residence and the town’s only medical office, with Dr. Yates serving as the first town doctor.
1924: Dr. Yates is elected Mayor of the Town of Potomac, famously enforcing an 18 mph speed limit to help fill the town coffers.
1925: After a busy term that included falling through a hole during the inspection of the newly constructed firehouse, Dr. Yates passes away in the house on July 8th.
1924-1937: Gertrude remains in the house and raises their children there.
Chapter 1: The Doctor is In (1908–1925)
1937: Gertrude Yates sells the home to Michael and Joanna Barry. The Barrys run the MH Barry Organization, a real estate powerhouse, from the ground floor while living upstairs.They buy and sell several properties in the surrounding neighborhoods such as Beverley Hills and Rosemont.
1957: Michael passes away from a heart attack at home in July.
1957–1986: After Michael passes, Joanna Barry continues to run the business and live in the house for nearly 30 more years.
Chapter 2: The Barrys (1937–1986)
1987 – 2000s: Graph-Tech, Inc. Records from the late 1980s identify Graph-Tech, Inc. as a major tenant during the building’s first major commercial conversion.
1988–2009: Professional Suites & Title Offices. Following the 1988 renovation (which added the brick northern addition) the property was marketed as the "Potomac Professional Building.". The building housed several professional services, including a title office, real-estate attorneys, and architectural firms like Henry K. Edquist Jr. AIA. It was a "one-stop-shop" for neighborhood development.
1988–1995: "Virginia Hot Tubs" (sometimes listed as Hot Tubs & Such) operated out of the northern side of the building (specifically the 2218 address) in the late 80s.
Late 90's:
The Consignment Shops: "A Second Look" (and later related iterations) occupied space here. This was a classic Del Ray "destination" shop where neighbors traded clothes and furniture.
The Creative Hub: We also had "The Art League" or local art studios using the upstairs rooms, and "The Potters’ Guild" connections nearby.
Chapter 3: The Neighborhood Hub (1987-2010)
The Modern Legacy: DRP
October 2010: The Grand Opening of DRP
The Yates-Barry House is transformed yet again, this time into a restaurant, and it begins its new life as a culinary landmark. Del Ray Pizzeria (DRP) opens its doors as a family-owned neighborhood hub, quickly becoming the a popular spot on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
October 2012: The Presidential Order
The neighborhood buzzes as President Barack Obama makes a high-profile stop at DRP. To commemorate the visit, the "Presidential Trio" officially joins the menu: Obama Rama, Supreme Clientele, and Barrack My World.
February 2014: Winner of the Heart of Del Ray !
2015: Expansion & Reserve 2216
A big year for the DRP family! We expand to the GW Parkway and open our (then) sister location, DRP Belle Haven. Meanwhile, back at home, we launch Reserve 2216 in the cozy upstairs space—a chef-driven, reservation-only experience focusing on elevated Southern comfort food.
Due to some oversights in planning, the Reserve is shut down until the city approved a new SUP in 2017. The reboot is successful, but short-lived. One of a few local casualties of the pandemic, The Reserve was officially retired and put to rest in 2020.
2018: The Independent Spirit
Growth leads to a new chapter of independence. The business is reshaped and divided into two separate entities. Belle Haven is rebranded as "The Haven." While they are now a separate and unrelated restaurant, the legacy of their inception lives on through the specialty pizzas in common once shared.
The OG location in Del Ray retains it’s identity and continues to serve as the “living room” of Mount Vernon Avenue.
2020: The Pandemic & The Pivot
When the world stops, the neighborhood steps up. With lines stretching down the block and hour-long waits, our amazing Del Ray neighbors keep us afloat. This year proves that DRP is more than just a restaurant; it’s a community anchor.
2022–2025: Pop Ups at 2216
With the retirement of The Reserve, the upstairs space becomes a playground for new concepts. We host a series of immersive pop-ups that push our creative boundaries:
Otro Lado & Dreampt: Exploring bold flavors and experimental cocktails
Flipside Speakeasy: A fun vinyl record themed concept with a victrola in the bar for guests to play their own albums or one from our collection.
Bar Wicked: Our spirited seasonal takeover, which proudly took home the award for Best Decorated Business for Halloween in 2025.
2024: A New Era Begins
Longtime manager Laurel takes the helm as the sole owner of DRP. With a deep respect for the restaurant’s 14-year legacy and an even deeper connection to the building’s history, she begins laying the groundwork for the restaurant’s next evolution.
2026: Rebirth – Del Ray Public House
Inspired by a love of great steaks and the bold, sun-drenched flavors of her childhood in New Mexico (the Land of Enchantment), Laurel transforms DRP into Del Ray Public House. The new concept is a soulful hybrid: part casual Southwestern Roadhouse, part American Pizzeria, and part European Pub. While we are keeping the "Best Pizza in Del Ray" on the menu, we are introducing a bold new frontier of hand-cut steaks and comfort food influenced by Latin American and New Mexican traditions. It’s a place for everyone, and food for anyone—the next chapter of our storied history on the Avenue.
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