Vola’s Dockside Grill and the Hi-Tide Lounge offer a relaxed and casual style seafood restaurant, and a retro-cool, hideaway bar for tourists and locals alike. We offer an all day menu for weekday lunch or dinner enjoyment, weeknight Happy Hour with bar specials, and Saturday and Sunday brunch.
The restaurant was named after Vola D. Lawson, the first female City Manager, and the first woman to lead a large municipality in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Vola (d. 2013) was a much-loved and admired figure in Alexandria, VA; she was a fighter and a compassionate individual, combating corruption and cronyism in government, confronting racism and sexism in society, and battling breast cancer in her personal life.
Giving 48 years to public service, Vola was kind and generous, assertive, and productive, and she cared deeply about supporting needy children and pets that needed homes. Her support of the waterfront redevelopment came at a critical point in the legislative process, and her voice was essential to get the final plan passed through the city council.