Life and Relationship Coaching near Arlington, VA

Women’s sports fans could soon have a bar of their own in Arlington.

Sarah White, a longtime local restaurateur and partner at Westover Taco, is in the process of buying out of the taqueria at 5849 Washington Blvd. After that?

“I’m transforming it into Northern Virginia’s first women’s sports bar,” White told ARLnow.

As the soon-to-be sole owner of Westover Taco, which opened in late 2023, White plans to implement some cosmetic changes while retaining the restaurant’s name, chef and seven television screens, which at the moment typically show men’s sports.

Following the rebrand, White said those TVs will prioritize games by professional women’s sports teams, from the Washington Mystics and Washington Spirit to the D.C. Divas and new Women’s Pro Baseball League, which debuts this August.

“We’ve got so many great women’s teams here, and I really think that it’s time we started giving them their time and we started focusing on that,” White said.

Plans for a new interior are still in the works, White said, but they could include local artwork, a mural or sports team memorabilia across the walls.

The opportunity to start a women’s sports bar came as White’s business partners at Westover Taco mulled whether to sell the restaurant following the October closure of their Lost Dog Cafe on Columbia Pike. The taqueria wasn’t losing money — but it wasn’t turning much of a profit, either. That’s when White stepped in.

“The guys decided that they wanted to remove it from their portfolio,” White said. “It’s my only restaurant, and I happen to be able to fund it and buy it myself. I’ve wanted to own a restaurant on my own for a very long time, and this was the opportunity.”

White, who is also the operator of Cowboy Cafe, is planning the rebrand with interior designer Claire Tamburo and partnering with DJ Melanie B to continue hosting community events. She also wants to look into official team sponsorships, while marketing the space as a fundraising venue for more local high school teams.

“We often do things to support the boys’ baseball teams,” White said. “But rarely do we even get asked to support any of the women’s athletics or the girls athletics … We want to reach out and say, you know, ‘hey, we’re available for you, too.'”

White said her outlook on sports changed when she met Lois Cook, owner and team captain of the D.C. Divas, who spoke during a Fairfax Rotary Club meeting in 2022.

“I was just enamored by her story and how passionate she was about playing sports, and about particularly this team,” White said. “She just lit a fire in me that made me feel the same way for it, and now, I just can’t get enough.”

The two became friends, and for the past year, White has provided volunteer marketing services to the Divas. Last July, she accompanied the team as they competed in the WFA National Championship against the St. Louis Slam in Canton, Ohio.

It was ESPN2’s most-viewed women’s tackle game of all time, pulling in more than 200,000 live viewers, according to the team.

As investment in and viewership of women’s sports rises nationwide, White says she is excited to be a part of it. She isn’t the first to come up with a women’s sports bar concept, as others have popped up in cities across the country. At least one bar, The Sports Bra, has announced plans to franchise across four U.S. cities following its 2022 founding in Portland, Ore.

“I want to see how we can make sure that there’s a place for everyone at the table, right?” White said. “That’s what restaurants do. We make sure that everybody eats. We make sure that everybody has a place, and just making sure that [women’s] sports is part of that too, I think, is phenomenal.”

Going forward, fans of Westover Taco’s titular menu item won’t have to fret over the rebranding. They’ll still be able to get their fix, White said, and the menu will be expanding to include more Tex-Mex entrees.

White’s announcement comes during Women’s History Month — something she reflected on while discussing Westover Taco’s future.

“What are the odds of being here at this pivotal moment when we see things changing? … It really is just this pivotal time of, we’re never going back, and women are seeing this monumental change,” White said. “I just got a bank loan by myself. My husband isn’t on it. There’s no co-signer on that loan at all, and my mother couldn’t have applied for that by herself. Just watching all of it change is miraculous.”

The sale is expected to close next week or the following Monday.

You don’t need a four-leaf clover to luck out on a fun St. Paddy’s Day. Engage in all sorts of shenanigans, including parties, rugby-watching, live Irish music and much more. Irish eyes will smile at these festive options.

It’s a monthlong celebration of not only St. Paddy’s Day, but also the pub’s 30th anniversary. The party starts March 11 with $7 Guinness until 8 p.m. and continues into St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Doors open March 14, 7 a.m., and the Four Courts Four Miler takes off at 9 a.m., welcoming runners of all abilities. Irish dancers will perform at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and there will be live music in a heated outdoor tent starting at 10 a.m. On March 15, the restaurant opens at 9 a.m. Watch the Irish dancers at 6 p.m. and eat lunch and dinner specials. The fun kicks off March 17 at 10 a.m. with live music. Dancers will perform again 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. 2501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

Take a trip to Ireland without leaving Northern Virginia as you tap your toes to U.S National Scottish Fiddle champion and Gaelic singer Seán Heely. He and his bandmates will play high-energy dance tunes, beautiful ballads and everything in between on March 11, 7:30 p.m., at Jammin’ Java. Tickets are $27. 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna

The Ballston Quarter watering hole has a weekend of merriment planned March 13-17 that includes $6 green beer and $13 Dew & Brew deals. (D.E.W. and a Brew is an Irish tradition of pairing Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey with a beer.) Other activities include the always-available bowling and arcade games, just set to Celtic beats. Doors open at 11 a.m. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)

See if you’ve got the luck of the Irish on March 14, 10 a.m.-noon, with 10 chances to win a round of bingo. The games are free to play, and brunch will be served if you get a hankering for a short rib Benedict or fried chicken and waffles. Bring the kids: There’s a menu for them, too. 4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)

Named after a famous Irish writer, this Shirlington spot turns up its weekly music party to an 11 for St. Paddy’s Day. Events include the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Tasting on March 14, 11 a.m., followed by a showing of the Ireland vs. Scotland rugby game at 2:10 p.m. On March 15, a reverse happy hour starts at 6 p.m.-2 a.m., with live music starting at 8 p.m. On the big day, music plays noon-2 a.m., with Irish dancers performing periodically throughout the day and drink specials, including $6 Green Tea Shooters and two finalists from the Guinness Perfect Pint competition pouring the beer. Always available are Irish dishes such as shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage. 2800 S. Randolph St., Arlington (Shirlington)

Visit Clarendon Ballroom, BOE, Hyde Social, Mister Days Sport Rock Café and other bars in the Arlington neighborhood on March 14, 3 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, party favors and all-day drink specials, such as $5 shamrock shots and $7 Guinnesses. Tickets start at $7. Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland March 14, 9-11 p.m., and March 17, 5-8 p.m., with live music. Indulge in some food and drink specials, too, including Irish tacos, with corned beef, Guinness-braised onions and pickled cabbage, and Pastrami Egg Rolls, with sauerkraut and cheese. Wash those down with $1 green Jello shots, $5 green tea shooters and Green Light Lagers, and $9 Green Whiskey Lemonade. 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (Shirlington)

St. Patrick’s Day starts March 15, noon-5 p.m., at this McLean venue. Wear all the green you can stand and be one of the first 100 people through the door to get a bag of even more green swag. Party with live performances by Adam K, Nick Tierra and James Stevens; munch on Irish dishes; sip Irish drinks (green beer, anyone?); and play games like the leprechaun toss. Kids are welcome. There will be a kids’ corner with face painting, a moon bounce, and arts and crafts. Admission is free. 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons

Owner of the 4Ps, Colm Dillon is a native of Ireland’s County Cork, guaranteeing an authentic pub experience. On March 17, 8-10 a.m., stop in for Kegs & Eggs or make a reservation for lunch or dinner, when Gerry Timlin will perform. 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church

Family-owned and -operated, this Clarendon pub stocks more than 130 whiskeys and serves Irish eats such as sausage and mash, and beef and Guinness stew. Chow down while watching performers from the Boyle School of Irish Dance on March 17. 3207 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

Available only on March 17 is The Blarney Burger and green beer, but all month, diners can get the Luck O’Irish Shamrock Shake. Your sweet tooth will be happy to know it’s made with vanilla ice cream, Andes mint and mint syrup. 4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington); and 1336 Chain Bridge Road, McLean

You've purged the chametz but can't stomach doing meal prep? Leave cooking for the Seder up to the pros at area restaurants.

Passover—aka Pesach—is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the end of the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt. This year’s holiday runs from April 1-9. It starts with two nights of special meals called Seders, and throughout the week, observers forgo eating leavened bread in honor of the Jews who fled Egypt before their bread had time to rise. Find full Passover meals, a la carte dishes and delicious desserts at these local spots.

This Jewish deli in Falls Church is always on top of the holidays. For your Seder table, it’s preparing a meal that would feed a minimum of five people at a cost of $45 per person. It includes matzoh, charoset and matzoh ball soup. Then you have to make some choices: gefilte fish or chopped liver? Oven-braised brisket, oven-roasted chicken breast or lemon dill salmon? Flourless chocolate cake or apple matzoh kugel? Fortunately, there’s no wrong answer. 7263 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church

This specialty grocery store has you covered for the holiday. Order a la carte or get a custom dinner for a group. The latter serves six and comes with brisket, roasted lamb, lemon-thyme roasted chicken, Mediterranean-stuffed salmon, roasted garlic and scallion turkey breast, or Spinach Masagna (lasagna made with matzo). Each comes with one starter, three sides, two extras and one dessert. Starters include chicken soup and gefilte fish. Options for sides are carrot and sweet potato tzimmes and parmesan artichokes. Top it off with a seven-layer cake or almond macaroons. 6655 Old Dominion Drive, McLean

The Jew-ish deli with a spot in McLean and another coming soon to Ballston is bringing back its popular Passover Schweets, courtesy of James Beard award finalist chef Daniela Moreira. They include Piña Colada Macaroons, Peanut Butter Chocolate Macaroons, Toffee Matzo Brittle with PecansReserve some starting March 16 or try your luck at getting them in the store. They will be available only April 1-9. 6232 Old Dominion Drive, McLean

Supplement your spread with traditional dishes from this slice of New York in Fairfax. Get plates of mini latkes (traditional or sweet potato with pecans), matzo ball soup, charoset, stuffed cabbage, orange-glazed corned beef, za’atar-roasted chicken, homemade applesauce, and orange carrots. Passover and flourless cakes are also available on request. 12214 Fairfax Towne Center, Fairfax

This modern Israeli restaurant in D.C.’s Cleveland Park will be serving charoset, braised salmon with olives and rice, and braised brisket with tzimmes (sweet potato, carrots, prunes and walnuts). These dishes are available for dine-in and takeout April 1-9. 3311 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D.C.

The catering arm of this grocery chain is ready to help this Passover. It has favorites such as burgundy-braised brisket, matzo ball soup and honey-lemon roasted salmon. Get a meal that serves four with sides such as Asparagus with Citrus & Herbs, Honey Roasted Carrots, and Garlic & Parsley Fingerling potatoes, or go a la carte. Either way, finish the dinner with something sweet, like chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons. Check the website for the closest location.

There’s no better time than March to stop into one of Arlington’s many Irish establishments.

Several pubs, bars and restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are celebrating the drink, music and food of the Emerald Isle in the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, which is next Tuesday, March 17. Here’s a look at what is happening in the days ahead.

When: Now through Tuesday

A week-long celebration at Celtic House will feature live Irish music, dancers and other festivities every day through St. Paddy’s. Reservations are encouraged.

2500 Columbia Pike, Arlington Village

When: Friday through Tuesday

Five consecutive days of live music highlight the celebration at Ireland’s Four Provinces. Menu specials will also be available each day, and the annual Kegs & Eggs event will be held on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day.

105 W. Broad Street, Falls Church

When: Saturday

Four different Clarendon bars — each offering drink specials, swag, free giveaways and more — will host a bar crawl followed by an after party at Clarendon Ballroom this weekend. Tickets start at $5, with additional fees for a “fast pass.”

Starts at 2854 Wilson Blvd, Clarendon

When: Saturday through Tuesday

Four Courts, arguably Arlington’s best-known Irish pub, will host multiple days of celebrations. The event slate includes early-morning openings, live music, lunch and dinner specials and, on St. Patrick’s Day, live performances from Irish dancers.

2051 Wilson Blvd, Clarendon

When: Saturday through Tuesday

The holiday festivities at Samuel Beckett’s includes an Irish whiskey tasting on Saturday before Ireland’s rugby squad takes on Scotland. A “reverse happy hour,” running from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., is planned for Sunday night, along with plenty of live music headed into Tuesday.

2800 S. Randolph Street, Shirlington

When: Saturday through Tuesday

Live music on Saturday kicks off the events at McNamara’s, and will be followed by St. Patrick’s trivia on Monday and Irish dancers on Tuesday.

567 23rd Street S, Crystal City

When: Tuesday

Around lunchtime on St. Patrick’s Day, the pub will welcome a performance from dancers of Boyle’s School of Irish Dance.

3207 Washington Blvd, Clarendon

When: Tuesday

Not looking for a traditional party environment? Cookology Culinary School will present a “Guinness-forward cooking class” with Guiness-braised beef, Guiness chocolate brownies and other bites.

Tickets are $115 per person and are available online via Eventbrite.

4238 Wilson Blvd, Ballston

When: Tuesday

An Irish-inspired menu of chef’s selections will be available, including beef and Guinness stew, bangers and other dishes.

2650 Richmond Highway, Crystal City

When: Tuesday

In an event dubbed “March Madness meets St. Patrick’s Day,” BOE will offer drink specials and a happy hour menu, as well as free mechanical bull rides.

2854 Wilson Blvd, Clarendon