The Whistling Swan Pub

The Whistling Swan Pub is located on the sprawling grounds of the Airlie Center. While it’s a Warrenton address, it’s not in Warrenton proper — it’s a bit out into the country.
Once you arrive at the entrance to Airlie Center, resist the urge to park in the first lot on the right labeled «visitor parking» and keep driving. You are looking for signs to the «Silo House.» Once you see the Silo House — the entrance to the pub is on the right side of the building by the swimming pool.
You can get most cocktails here — and they have some beer and wines available, and a very limited pub food menu.
There is also a Foosball table, and in the adjoining room in the back, checkers, a pool table, a Karaōke machine connected to a TV, and lots more seating.
During our visit I stuck with Ales — they carry a few Virginia craft brews — including the 8 Point IPA (Devils Backbone Brewing Co.). They don’t have pre-​chilled pint glasses, so I drank from the bottle.
I also ordered the chicken wings — spicy. It comes with sides of ranch and blue cheese. I like my wings crispy and that is how they serve theirs — I also like that their wings have no breading. Food is delivered to the pub from the main kitchen which is on the other side of Airlie Center — by a food runner that drives over with the food.
I finished off the evening with a dirty vodka martini. Not bad, but they don’t currently have the correct olives for Martinis. They had these tiny olives. A proper dirty vodka martini has the Queen sized olives.
If The Whistling Swan Pub wants five stars from me — they need to do the following:
— Have pre-​chilled pint glasses
— Stock Queen sized olives
— Offer an option for Gorgonzola cheese stuffed olives for Martinis
— Add Dark Agave syrup and a French apéritif wine for making Vesper Martinis (either Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano) to their bar stock
Our group had about 10 people in it — we played Foosball, pool, checkers, and acted silly with the Karaōke machine. I’m sure we will be back!