After 40 Years, Bilbo Baggins Closes Its Doors

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Bilbo Baggins Pub via Twitter

Longtime Alexandria restaurant and pub Bilbo Baggins has closed its doors for good.

The cozy eatery, which opened in 1980, closed in the spring when COVID-19 first struck. Since then, the family-owned restaurant has not reopened and the nearly 4,000-square foot property is now for sale for $2.8 million.

The restaurant is located at 208 Queen St., just two blocks from the Alexandria waterfront and the sale includes the two buildings on either side of the restaurant, 206 Queen St. and 210 Queen St.

The original unit was built in 1880, and the adjacent units are joined together inside and feature hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, stained-glass windows and much more.

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Named for the character in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," Bilbo Baggins was opened 40 years ago by chef and owner Michael Armellino. It also featured a bar, the Green Dragon Pub, offering an extensive craft beer and wine list. 

Traveling to Switzerland from his home in New York, Armellino was trained as a chef in the Old World style, which instilled in him that fresh ingredients and unprocessed foods were not only healthier but tasted better as well. After four years of culinary school, he traveled through Europe cooking in world-class hotels and helping start several fine dining restaurants. 

In 1980, Armellino returned to the United States where he and a partner found a quaint location for a restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Noticing the rustic woodwork, low ceilings and homey atmosphere, he thought that this would be the perfect "hobbit hole."

With approval from the Tolkien Estate and a guarantee to uphold all qualities of "Hobbit hospitality," Bilbo Baggins Restaurant became a landmark in Alexandria for four decades.

The property is listed by Stephen Karbelk with Century 21 Commercial New Millennium. See the full listing here, including interior photos.

Century 21 produced this real estate listing video for the restaurant.

The listing says, "The property still contains all the trade furnishings of a restaurant and bar, which are not included in this sale, but may be negotiated for separate purchase as personal property. The trade name 'Bilbo Baggins Restaurant' is not included in this sale, but may also be negotiated for separate purchase."