RVA Cocktail Bar Reco?

Submitted by pocketdare t3_10q2f4s in rva

As a newbie to the RVA area, I was looking for an absolute must-visit cocktail bar reco. I have a few friends coming to visit who love a good cocktail bar with some fancy drinks and was looking for a place to take them. Is there a place you would consider an absolute landmark cocktail place?

Edit: Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!!!

2

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

kozzyboy t1_j6nf807 wrote

Jasssssssper.

16

shrewfriend t1_j6o94f3 wrote

Amuse on the third floor of the VMFA! Great cocktails, plus a breathtaking view.

10

Danger-Moose t1_j6ne7sn wrote

Grandstaff & Stein and Jasper.

8

a_real_tomato t1_j6nj4v5 wrote

Obv Jasper as everyone has said. Another great place for visitors is the bar at the Jefferson.

8

FalloutRip t1_j6nfz69 wrote

Jasper, and Grandstaff & Stein are all that come to mind.

The folks who own The Jasper are opening another place in Church Hill called The Emerald Lounge sometime this year.

5

RubHerBabyBuggyBmper t1_j6nyuu2 wrote

Has anyone been to Verdent Lady in the west end yet?

4

xtremetuffguy t1_j6of143 wrote

It’s not bad, but not great. Not up to the level as Jasper, but you also probably won’t find a better cocktail in that general area of the west end either.

1

greedy_new_truth t1_j6pb89u wrote

Atmosphere actually facilitates conversation at the Verdant Lady, whereas the Jasper in the evening needs a volume adjustment. Owner of the Verdant Lady is mad cool too.

Virago has some great cocktails, as does Little Nickel. Nick @ McCormack's on Robinson is a consummate professional behind the bar. Cocktails at Sabai aren't bad at all.

For the true RVA feel you should probably stumble from Bamboo to 3 Monkeys before crawling to Strawberry Street Market and buying whatever you can reach before someone drags your corpse to Scuffletown to round off the night.

11

Richmond_Mondo t1_j6obz1j wrote

Longoven has great cocktails too - though if you’re eating there be ready to drop some coin. Worth it when I went, but that’s a somewhat controversial opinion in this sub.

1

exaideum t1_j6nj4kw wrote

Agree with Jasper, but if you’re looking for some food and drinks, definitely recommend Sabai. Great Thai food and fun tiki cocktails.

0

cassanovadaga t1_j6ow2e8 wrote

Sabai’s food has been awful lately imo, but their drinks are still ok

3

exaideum t1_j6owfnc wrote

Oh no really?! I haven’t been in a few months. What changed?

3

RVA_Lakeside t1_j6no5p4 wrote

The Roosevelt - Grandstaff & Stein - Lemaire - Saison

**The Jasper is overrated**

−4

grahamwhich t1_j6np6ur wrote

Saison closed :(

4

RVA_Lakeside t1_j6nx7ll wrote

:(

2

RVA_Lakeside t1_j6nxa0r wrote

Ill replace with Brenner Pass

−3

Richmond_Mondo t1_j6obnel wrote

Spot on since some key people who made Saison’s cocktail program what it was went on to run the program at Brenner. Most of the bar staff at Brenner trained under them, and you can still get a few of the old Saison cocktails if you ask nicely (and if they have the ingredients handy).

−1

Ms-Pamplemousse t1_j6o1n0v wrote

Heads up for future general reco requests that the search bar can often yield a trove of recently discussed options. Sharing since many folks respond with 'I'm new to rva/reddit' and aren't familiar.

−5