Stephanie Spear Maybe it was the bar in Cheers, or the coffee shop in Friends, but each generation has its version of ‘a place where everybody knows your name.’ One Fairfax native has created that at his bar. Mackenzies Tunes + Tonics, located at 3950 University Drive, Suite 210, in Fairfax, is a hometown bar with music at its heart, and the international flavors of Northern Virginia throughout the menu. The Fairfax Girl caught up with Josh Alexander to learn about his journey to open Mackenzie’s and his involvement in the Fairfax business community. Read on for more with Josh Alexander and Mackenzie’s Tunes + Tonics.
Photo credit: @throughjumslens
About Josh
Josh Alexander is a longtime Northern Virginia resident. He grew up in Falls Church, attended Marshall High School, and later George Mason University. His family is in the area, and he’s been working in hospitality since the early 2000s. He was the manager of longtime Fairfax favorite Coyote Grill from 2005 to 2019. He was then a manager at Earp’s Ordinary in Fairfax from 2019 to 2023, when the opportunity to open his bar presented itself.
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Josh opened Mackenzie’s in June 2023 at 3950 University Drive, Suite 210, in Fairfax. The bar is named for Josh’s daughter, Mackenzie. Josh and Mackenzie spend time with their extended family in the area and enjoy riding in Josh’s Jeep. The Jeep is the origin story of the ducks tucked throughout the bar.
Photo credit: @throughjumslens
“The ducks started off as a joke,” Josh said. “I find a lot of ducks on my Jeep when I go back to my car in the evenings, and I started bringing them in because I had too many in the car, and then it just kept growing. Another bartender came up with a drink called the Rummy Duck, and we started putting ducks in the drinks, and it actually became very popular.” Now, patrons bring ducks to adorn the bar, and Josh has amassed a large enough collection to swap them out for specific holidays.
More than a Bar
Live music is at the heart of Mackenzie’s. “There aren’t a lot of places for live music, and I wanted to offer that,” Josh said. Mondays are for Karaoke; Wednesdays are an Open Mic Night; and on Fridays and Saturdays, there is live music. “We work with booking agents, but a lot of times, performers find us,” Josh said.
Josh also wanted to create a laid-back spot for locals and visitors to enjoy. “I want to be the go-to for locals and people from out of town who want to feel that local bar,” he said. “I grew up watching Cheers and I want that experience.” Artwork from local artists adorns the walls. “I sell it but I don’t take a commission,” he said. “I’m a big fan of artists in all different shapes, musicians and painters and whatnot, and I think that’s some of the best energy that people can have, and that has they have been my biggest supporters, so in turn, I try to do as much as I can.”
In 2025, Josh won the John Mason Arts Achievement Award. The City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts gives the award to someone “who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of the arts in the city during the previous year.” Josh was recognized for contributing more than $100,000 to local artists and musicians.
In addition to supporting local artists and musicians, Josh is an active member of the Old Town Fairfax Business Association (OTFBA) and the City of Fairfax Police Chief’s Advisory Council. Through his work with the OTFBA, Josh is the Director of Logistics of the Asian Festival on Main
Photo credit: Old Town Fairfax Business Association
Josh is also committed to veterans and their causes. “One of my childhood best friends was a Marine, and he suffered from PTSD,” Josh said. Josh lost his friend to suicide, making these causes close to his heart. “We do a lot of fundraisers and other special events. We’ve worked with Chef Nick, who runs Colonel’s Kitchen, a non-profit organization that connects veterans and their families to hospitality and food businesses,” Josh said. “Gretchen, one of my staff, her son is in the Coast Guard, so anything we can do to support, we’re there.” The bar can host up to 80 for a private event, and Josh said that it has hosted several military retirement and promotion ceremonies. “Whatever works in the schedule, we’re down to do,” he said.
Tina Disch, Executive Director of the Old Town Fairfax Business Association, said “Josh has been deeply involved in the Old Town Fairfax Business Association and served as prior Board Chair. He has played an active role on the annual Asian Festival on Main steering committee for the past five years. The Asian Festival has grown into one of the largest Asian Festivals in the DMV, showcasing cultural performances, Asian foods, karaoke, beer garden, Cosplay and artisan and local vendors. ”
What to Expect
In addition to live music, Mackenzie’s has a full food and beverage menu. The beverage menu features locally brewed beers and ciders, plus creative and seasonal cocktails. Eagle-eyed patrons may notice some familiar names in the specialty cocktails: Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read currently has a personalized drink on the menu.
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Since listening to live music pairs perfectly with a delicious meal, Josh and his chef are constantly working on new items. Right now, Josh’s favorite item is a spicy Diablo chicken and pasta dish. Even Mackenzie gets in on the menu. “She’s pretty good about tasting new things,” Josh said.
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The menu has pub-food classics, but with a global twist. Think: bulgogi-topped tater tots, a pulled pork sandwich topped with an Asian-inspired slaw, and classic meatballs served with parmesan cheese, all in one place.
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