Hank’s Oyster Bar in Alexandria now has twice as much room to slurp oysters. The restaurant reopens tonight with an a new 24-seat bar and raw bar plus an additional 20 dining seats after expanding into the space next door. The entire space has been closed the last two and half weeks during the final leg of construction.

With the new bar—the biggest of the three Hank’s locations—comes an expanded drink menu, including 10 draft beers (rather than the previous four) like Great Lakes Christmas Ale and Port City Optimal Wit. Beverage manager John Carrabus has also put together a larger selection of cocktails and punches ($8-$13) and wines by the glass ($7-$10).

Food options remain mostly the same, including popcorn shrimp and calamari, lobster bisque, fried oysters, and more. The $1 oyster happy hour will be offered at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. and in the dining room from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

The hours also got an adjustment: Hank’s Alexandria will now be open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 12 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This is the second expansion for owner Jamie Leeds. She expanded the Dupont restaurant in August 2011.

Photo courtesy Shane Mayson