Celebrating at Strangeways Brewing Photo by Ash Daniel
Richmond is a town that likes to celebrate. There is an ever-changing list of restaurants where you can savor dinner or drinks, and a variety of venues with room for group shindigs. Plus, you'll find plenty of places perfect for slugging a few beers in jeans — or getting fancied up and toasting with oysters and cocktails. Here are some of the standouts.
Secco Wine Bar for celebratory drinks or a soirée in The Room
For small affairs, like a ladies' night out, head to Secco in Carytown. You'll find a sophisticated selection of meats, cheeses, snacks and large plates, along with a blackboard list of wine, champagne and beer for sipping. Reservations are accepted for parties of five or more. Next door, The Room is sleek and sophisticated, and can be rented for parties of about 22 seated or up to 40 standing. Owner Julia Battaglini says her team has hosted small weddings, birthday parties, holiday parties, community meetings and more in the flexible space. Menus focus on heavy hors d'oeuvres; beverage experts will help you find the perfect wine and beer to pair with them. seccowinebar.com
Strangeways Brewing for a guys' gathering
If your group is more about hoisting pints, head to Strangeways Brewing on Dabney Road. The back room — where the beer is brewed — can hold around 50 to 70, and custom tours can be scheduled, too. You can buy tastings for your group or give attendees beer caps that translate to a free beer, or partiers can take care of their own tabs. Groups can supply their own food, or the brewery team is happy to suggest catering from some of the food trucks that Strangeways regularly works with, such as Popping Mealies, which offers perfect-for-pairing-with-beer dishes such as cumin-roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and artisanal bratwurst with sauerkraut. In addition, operations and events coordinator Cheyenne Burnham says that the room can be rented on afternoons when the brewery is open, so guests can mingle in the front tasting room and take advantage of other food trucks with regular gigs there. strangewaysbrewing.com
The Boathouse for a getaway in RVA
Just a hop down Route 288, you'll find The Boathouse at Sunday Park, a respite from the city, located on the scenic Swift Creek Reservoir in Midlothian. "Two turns off Hull Street and you feel like you're on vacation," event sales specialist Joanne Bogese says. And, if you're in the market to host a special event, the restaurant has several spaces that can accommodate parties ranging in size from eight to 10, all the way up to 250 for a cocktail-style event. Customized menus reflect The Boathouse's fine dining menu, with plenty of seafood and steak options. Some spaces also have their own patio or terrace, so you can enjoy a spectacular sunset while you celebrate. The Boathouse also has a location in Rocketts Landing with room for special events. boathouserva.com
The Old City Bar for an event completely tailored to you
Located in a 100-year-old building in Shockoe Bottom with multiple terraces overlooking Richmond, The Old City Bar is the place for hosting a customized event. "The sky's the limit," says office manager and events planner Christy Boehnlein. "We're completely turnkey. We have the marble tables, the glasses, the flatware, the china." Chef David Napier and his staff can replicate family recipes or design a signature menu just for you. "Asian, Greek, Uruguay, a grill on the terrace, whatever," Boehnlein says. Signature dishes include brisket that's been smoked for 15 hours, crab cakes, mac ‘n' cheese and, for vegetarians, a portobello Wellington. The space has been used for private marriage proposals and for parties of up to 100 people. There is also a stage for live music. "We like to get creative, " says Boehnlein, "have fun with food and make the event a reflection of our guests." theoldcitybar.com
The Savory Grain for dinner with friends
Next time you want to host a meal for yourself and 11 of your closest friends (13 if you don't mind squeezing), call The Savory Grain and ask about a reservation for the occasion room, or what co-owner Jami Bohdan says the staff calls "the family room." Tucked at the back of the mid-town restaurant, with an elegant chandelier and a curtained closure, this is the perfect hideaway for a group meal. Plus, your guests can enjoy the ever-changing Savory Grain menu, with dishes like shrimp and grits, or a wild boar and calamari creation like no other: tempura-battered and topped with grilled jalapeños, smoked shallots, chorizo, tomato sauce, a fried egg and cilantro. There is also a side dining room that can seat up to 30. savorygrain.com
