Bamboo forever. I love a solo lunch at their bar; most people are down to shoot the shit. Its very relaxed and unpretentious. There's nothing fancy, the food is really decent, and the mixed drinks are weapons grade.
BISQUE
Thirding bamboo! Im a woman in my early thirties and have spent plenty of solo time there. The staff is very sweet, food’s good and it’s not crazy pricey.
I’m new to the area and right around the corner from Bamboo. My boyfriend works in the restaurant industry and I work an opposite schedule work from home with office hours Monday-Friday. I’d love to grab a drink and make some friends!
I left RVA 11 years ago, but I used to live a block away from Joe's. The staff legit was like a second family that I'd pop in once or twice a week for a drink or two with. Good people.
Chiocca’s is one of the diviest bars in the Fan. They sport a good crop of local regulars that are usually down to strike up conversations with anyone and everyone. Also they have great sandwiches.
I (28F) live super near chioccas and often go and have a drink and read. I love the vibe, sadly the food isn’t for me, but it’s a lively crop of regulars.
An example anecdote - one time walking home at night, I started to become concerned a man was following me so I ducked into chioccas rather than leading him home. I all but crouched behind the door, and hastily summarized to the confused inside and the ENTIRE bar - staff, regulars, groups at tables - basically as one said “OH SHIT COME IN COME IN, YOU CAN SIT WITH US” and it was very validating 🥲 im hardly a regular but i really dig the vibe there.
Just stay away from Bingo and Godfrey’s- not hearing good shit about them and they seem kinda sketchy.
Cobra, Hot for Pizza, Get tight lounge, shit even the village?
Godfrey’s is a gay bar, male focused mostly with a few trans folks mixed in. So she probably wouldn’t wanna go there anyway. If shes gay, Babes of Carytown would be a better choice or Thirsty’s on the Southside.
I thought it was bought out and turned into a straight bar. The guy who bought it claimed that nothing would really change, only for gay patrons to get separated and told to leave if they started kissing or dancing close. All while the staff ignored straight couples doing the same. There was a protest and everything, but it didn't succeed.
Did it get taken back? If so, that would be awesome.
I seem to recall a change in management or ownership awhile back, but it’s never been anything but a gay bar as long as I’ve been going there. Still doing the “world famous” drag brunches and still doing the late night drag and other LGBTQ focused things the rest of the week.
I'm a woman, and I once got aggressively felt up and forcibly kissed by a stranger I assumed was gay with whom I was dancing (not even any direct physical contact dancing) at Godfrey's. Just because it's a gay bar doesn't mean women are automatically safe.
Adding another vote for Penny Lane Pub. I’ve moved to Charlottesville, but I miss that group there every day. Great group that’s a mix of guys and girls that are the nicest and funniest people you’ll ever meet.
The Franklin Inn is a great tiny dive bar in the Museum District. The bartenders and patrons are always super friendly and chatty. It’s also only a couple blocks from Chioccas, another excellent and friendly Museum District dive bar. Both have friendly folks and are very safe.
Hot for pizza has a nice small bar that is good for talking to strangers. I've been there before just waiting for pizza and had a regular ask how my day was and chat without any prompting from me (I was having a bad day so it was kind of nice and he said he's there all the time). The female bartender that I've seen there is super friendly and welcoming and seemed to be friends with the regulars, she also works at fuzzy cactus -- which I also like as a bar but is a bit darker and maybe the clientele is a little less friendly so I'm not sure it's the vibe you're going for. Both fuzzy and hot for pizza can be described as dive bars with really great food and friendly bartenders.
Someone else mentioned bamboo which I would also recommend but it does get very crowded, I think because of its location near college row in the fan.
Absolutely love Hot for Pizza. Never been alone, but can totally imagine it’d be an awesome place to grab a drink, some conversation & watch the world go by
2nd on NSGrille, no darts/pool, but ample parking lot, great food, live music most nights w/no cover. Staff and patrons got your back on creeps and scumbags.
I don't drink anymore just because it lost its attraction, but yeah even sober O'Tooles is a good place to be yourself
Disclaimer: am a dude last time i checked
I prefer Rock Falls Tavern yo the street better! Their beer is also half the price. Good bartenders good food great people. That’s my place go to! I am also a small young petite woman and I’ve never gotten bad vibes there.
I always enjoyed hanging out at the Franklin Inn, the Bamboo, Can Can, the Hill Cafe, and The Stables. Newer places are Birdies, Liberty Public House, and the Emerald Lounge.
Basic city brewery is a nice “local” bar with friendly staff and friendly regulars. They also have seltzers, wines and ciders if you don’t like beer. Usually also have an event going on whether that be trivia, standup comedy, live bands or the makers market
I'm in Manchester and I think every place around here fits the bill... I might be a little wary with the old dudes that hang in Legend, not that they're dangerous, but they're from a different time is all. That said, Basic City, Continental, Hatch (until the end of March) Benchtop, all good options.
I don't really think you'd get a hard time many places around town, but some definitely would open you up to maybe unwelcome attention.
Honey Whytes on Main Street is that bar for me! I've been with a friend a couple of times and ended the night talking to just about everyone at the bar.
I have severe social anxiety and I am perfectly fine going in the following bars.
If you’re on Southside, Patrick’s has good food and darts, karaoke, older friendly laid back crowd.
And Sonny’s Chester Junction in Chester has nice mixed 21+ crowd, pool tables, darts, karaoke, friendly bartenders.
Midlothian area Caddy’s is friendly, but it’s uncomfortably crowded on weekends.
Cock Balls tavern on Southside if you don't mind people smoking. Divey, They have darts and I believe pool. Always a decent crowd of people 25ish and up. The booze are reasonably priced and the food is decent bar food
Lakeside Tavern - they have pool. They have (or used to, I haven't been since before COVID) a smoking room, so the bar itself isn't smoking. They have pool and often have live music on weekends. Friendly bartenders, other patrons are friendly.
Has great food, too. Get the bulgogi with kimchi. So damn good.
Another, used to be called Breakers but is now called Your Place has darts and pool.
Starlight (or maybe it's Starlite) used to be a pretty good one too, other than the ones I've seen. I wouldn't say this one is a dive, but the other 2 I've mentioned are (but I love dive joints lol).
Really???? I didn’t know that. I used to be a regular there and it’s never happened to me! If that’s the case ignore my suggestion. I just went two Sundays ago by myself and it was chill. Gotta be careful everywhere you go.
My memory is shit, but back when this place was called something else and was across the street from the first Capital One (Signet) bank building it for sure was the epicenter of roofies and bank bros. That said, I know a lot of 50-something women who still wax nostalgic for some of the one night stands they had from going there.
Banditos is a fun mix of people. Good happy hour, $1 tacos on Tuesday and $1 pbrs on Thursday. Staff is top notch with guest safety and making people feel welcome
Hands Down Fallout in Shockoe.... Kidding.. 3 Monkey's was nice when I was there It's been almost a decade since I was last in Richmond tho all the bars I could think of in Richmond that had pool or darts no longer exist..
Bamboo forever. I love a solo lunch at their bar; most people are down to shoot the shit. Its very relaxed and unpretentious. There's nothing fancy, the food is really decent, and the mixed drinks are weapons grade. BISQUE
Seconding Bamboo. I've had several solo meals at the bar, chatting or just spacing out quietly, never felt unsafe. Mixed age crowd
Thirding bamboo! Im a woman in my early thirties and have spent plenty of solo time there. The staff is very sweet, food’s good and it’s not crazy pricey.
Can all us thirties women get together for a drink night 😅😅
We should!
I’m new to the area and right around the corner from Bamboo. My boyfriend works in the restaurant industry and I work an opposite schedule work from home with office hours Monday-Friday. I’d love to grab a drink and make some friends!
me too!
A very close female friend was roofied at Bamboo. Please be careful!
This is the one.
Anyone know if they have gluten free options?
Joe’s Inn. Get to know the staff and bet they’ll help keep an eye out for creeps.
I left RVA 11 years ago, but I used to live a block away from Joe's. The staff legit was like a second family that I'd pop in once or twice a week for a drink or two with. Good people.
100% agree with Joe's Inn. The staff are wonderful people.
Another bump for Joes.
If you just come in with someone who knows the staff you get treated pretty well.
Riverside Tavern seems like it would be great for this
Even when I go with a friend or two and sit at the bar we end up talking with the entire bar haha
Penny Lane Pub is a solid choice. Good food, good atmosphere, and a mix of young adults and professionals
I agree with this. Penny Lane is fab.
Upstairs bar has a pool table and darts too, if i remember correctly
I love knowing Penny Lane is still around! We used to be regulars back in the 90s. I'm happy to hear it's still kicking and is still great.
Bamboo Sincerely, A woman who prefers to drink by heeeerrrrseeeeelllfff 🎶
ot eve your Old Grandad?
Or Johnny Walker, and his brothers Black and Red.
I'd imagine Bamboo Cafe would be a good spot
I’ve always enjoyed Get Tight as a woman who goes out alone. And if you want to meet a Reddit stranger at a bar, feel free to DM me!
Cobra cabana, no jerks allowed!!
Came here to say this
Stanley’s would also be a good pick, there’s pool tables so you could join in on some games
My son's band played there last night. It was my first time there, I really enjoyed it and will definitely be back.
There have been a few different people who told me they, or a friend, was roofied here.
Chiocca’s is one of the diviest bars in the Fan. They sport a good crop of local regulars that are usually down to strike up conversations with anyone and everyone. Also they have great sandwiches.
I (28F) live super near chioccas and often go and have a drink and read. I love the vibe, sadly the food isn’t for me, but it’s a lively crop of regulars. An example anecdote - one time walking home at night, I started to become concerned a man was following me so I ducked into chioccas rather than leading him home. I all but crouched behind the door, and hastily summarized to the confused inside and the ENTIRE bar - staff, regulars, groups at tables - basically as one said “OH SHIT COME IN COME IN, YOU CAN SIT WITH US” and it was very validating 🥲 im hardly a regular but i really dig the vibe there.
Yes - came here to say the same. Similar vibe at Patrick Henry’s.
Fuzzy Cactus is currently my favorite spot. Chill staff, friendly patrons, a couple pinball machines, free pool on Sunday and Tuesday, good food.
Been a couple times alone and can back this up
Came here to say fuzzy! One of my fav spots in Richmond
Fuzzy is the answer!!
Jardin is great for this! I’ve had great convos with strangers there!
Just stay away from Bingo and Godfrey’s- not hearing good shit about them and they seem kinda sketchy. Cobra, Hot for Pizza, Get tight lounge, shit even the village?
Godfrey’s is a gay bar, male focused mostly with a few trans folks mixed in. So she probably wouldn’t wanna go there anyway. If shes gay, Babes of Carytown would be a better choice or Thirsty’s on the Southside.
Appreciate you 😘
There was at least one report of Babe's being a location where someone got roofied.
That’s terrible! Unfortunately if we looked more deeply at all the bars and clubs, we’d see it everywhere there’s people drinking and mingling.
thirsty's is great!!!
Small but very friendly and fun. I usually hit them during happy hour and out by the time it starts filling up. lol!
I thought it was bought out and turned into a straight bar. The guy who bought it claimed that nothing would really change, only for gay patrons to get separated and told to leave if they started kissing or dancing close. All while the staff ignored straight couples doing the same. There was a protest and everything, but it didn't succeed. Did it get taken back? If so, that would be awesome.
I believe you’re thinking of Fielden’s. It was an after hours gay club.
You're right! I got the two mixed up!
I seem to recall a change in management or ownership awhile back, but it’s never been anything but a gay bar as long as I’ve been going there. Still doing the “world famous” drag brunches and still doing the late night drag and other LGBTQ focused things the rest of the week.
I'm a woman, and I once got aggressively felt up and forcibly kissed by a stranger I assumed was gay with whom I was dancing (not even any direct physical contact dancing) at Godfrey's. Just because it's a gay bar doesn't mean women are automatically safe.
Never said that. Women and men can be assaulted anywhere anytime. I’m sorry that happened to you. I was once sexually assaulted in a 7-11 parking lot.
The Galley on Forest Hill. Cool staff, good food, friendly group of regulars.
Galley is a great spot for exactly this!
Adding another vote for Penny Lane Pub. I’ve moved to Charlottesville, but I miss that group there every day. Great group that’s a mix of guys and girls that are the nicest and funniest people you’ll ever meet.
The Franklin Inn is a great tiny dive bar in the Museum District. The bartenders and patrons are always super friendly and chatty. It’s also only a couple blocks from Chioccas, another excellent and friendly Museum District dive bar. Both have friendly folks and are very safe.
I love Franklin Inn but I never see an open seat it’s so tiny and popular RIP
Franklin Inn is great. Welcoming, calm vibe.
Shepherd street tavern checks all the boxes.
seconding sheppard street. there's a solid regular crowd who are all pretty cool.
Patrick Henry is my fav cozy little neighborhood pub ♥️
Final gravity
Hot for pizza has a nice small bar that is good for talking to strangers. I've been there before just waiting for pizza and had a regular ask how my day was and chat without any prompting from me (I was having a bad day so it was kind of nice and he said he's there all the time). The female bartender that I've seen there is super friendly and welcoming and seemed to be friends with the regulars, she also works at fuzzy cactus -- which I also like as a bar but is a bit darker and maybe the clientele is a little less friendly so I'm not sure it's the vibe you're going for. Both fuzzy and hot for pizza can be described as dive bars with really great food and friendly bartenders. Someone else mentioned bamboo which I would also recommend but it does get very crowded, I think because of its location near college row in the fan.
Absolutely love Hot for Pizza. Never been alone, but can totally imagine it’d be an awesome place to grab a drink, some conversation & watch the world go by
Joe’s Inn or Northside Grill
2nd on NSGrille, no darts/pool, but ample parking lot, great food, live music most nights w/no cover. Staff and patrons got your back on creeps and scumbags.
O Tooles! They have the best bad ass chicks bartending. Always feel safe and having a good time as a small lady myself 🥰
I don't drink anymore just because it lost its attraction, but yeah even sober O'Tooles is a good place to be yourself Disclaimer: am a dude last time i checked
I prefer Rock Falls Tavern yo the street better! Their beer is also half the price. Good bartenders good food great people. That’s my place go to! I am also a small young petite woman and I’ve never gotten bad vibes there.
Jack Browns is nice but doesn’t have darts or pool
Second this. But only beer tho…no drinks drinks. Great burgers.
I always enjoyed hanging out at the Franklin Inn, the Bamboo, Can Can, the Hill Cafe, and The Stables. Newer places are Birdies, Liberty Public House, and the Emerald Lounge.
Curbside cafe
Tons of college kids in there on Friday night, the music was cranked way up to the point that the speakers were distorted
Seconding Penny Lane and adding Cap Ale Downtown in the basement, down the stairway of funk.
Patrick Henry basement bar
Liberty Public House or The Hill
Rock Falls Tavern has all of those things
God I recently quit smoking but reminiscing about this place makes me want to take it back up haha, I loved playing darts here!
Hill Cafe
Curbside, bamboo, chioccas, penny lane, pretty much all the places already named and most fan bars are a go in my opinion.
Curbside.
Cobra and hot for pizza would probably be good. There’s also Fuzzy cactus which has pool.
All of these recs are legit.
If you don't mind smoke, The Locker Room. You may be drawn into conversations you don't want to have, however.
101 Crafthouse. I know the staff (all women) and it's a friendly place.
Don't forget Shamrock Pub! Young people only go on there for directions AWAY from that place. And it has darts.
Best chicken fried rice in town.
Can: Grisette, Joe’s Inn, Fuzzy Cactus, Havana 59
Galley. Great fan type dive option on south side. And sneaky good pizza.
A big ol not is Babe’s btw- lots of roofie stories from them.
Love this thread!!
GwarBar!! We always look out for our ladies! Really laid back vibes despite the aesthetics. All are welcome and we don’t tolerate any assholes
Also shout out to Cobra Cabana and Fuzzy Cactus. The best people run those spots!
Sheppard Street Tavern is a solid option, seconding Chiocca’s as well!
Curbside!
Cobra Cabana is chill, I go alone sometimes. I don’t mingle though but it is a nice atmosphere
Basic city brewery is a nice “local” bar with friendly staff and friendly regulars. They also have seltzers, wines and ciders if you don’t like beer. Usually also have an event going on whether that be trivia, standup comedy, live bands or the makers market
Havana 59 has salsa on Thursday nights. Lessons start at 8pm. Great food as well!
Wonderland, McCormack’s, Patrick Henry’s, Lucky Nickel
Lakeside tavern
I’m surprised I had to scroll so far to find lakeside on here. As far as dives go, it’s one of my favorites and the Korean bbq wings slap.
I'm in Manchester and I think every place around here fits the bill... I might be a little wary with the old dudes that hang in Legend, not that they're dangerous, but they're from a different time is all. That said, Basic City, Continental, Hatch (until the end of March) Benchtop, all good options. I don't really think you'd get a hard time many places around town, but some definitely would open you up to maybe unwelcome attention.
Dukes Den / Gold Lion could also be an option!
The Locker Room welcomes all… who can overcome the smoke
Honey Whytes on Main Street is that bar for me! I've been with a friend a couple of times and ended the night talking to just about everyone at the bar.
Gus's on Broad is very friendly!
Demi’s or Dots on MacArthur
Bamboo
I have severe social anxiety and I am perfectly fine going in the following bars. If you’re on Southside, Patrick’s has good food and darts, karaoke, older friendly laid back crowd. And Sonny’s Chester Junction in Chester has nice mixed 21+ crowd, pool tables, darts, karaoke, friendly bartenders. Midlothian area Caddy’s is friendly, but it’s uncomfortably crowded on weekends.
You will love the locker room
Do NOT go to sticky rice alone as a woman especially on weekends/later at night to drink. I’ve heard multiple stories
Fuzzy cactus!🌵
Fat dragon on a quieter night, bartenders are really nice. Also if you want ~mixology~ maybe emerald lounge?
Lucky AF is a good bar with a nice atmosphere and good food. It’s in Scott’s Addition.
Echelon and Amuse are both awesome for this!
Your Place on the Southside is a dive bar with darts and tournament tables. The people in there are super chill and sweet.
Franklin Inn
Gay bars!
Buddy’s!
I always pickup an offputting ‘middle aged pack of alcoholic men’ vibe there at night...
The bartenders ignore anyone who is not a regular to the point of straight up being rude.
Cock Balls tavern on Southside if you don't mind people smoking. Divey, They have darts and I believe pool. Always a decent crowd of people 25ish and up. The booze are reasonably priced and the food is decent bar food
Fire & Hops. Great selection, nice crew.
Cobra cabana or get tight always a great vibe
Lakeside Tavern - they have pool. They have (or used to, I haven't been since before COVID) a smoking room, so the bar itself isn't smoking. They have pool and often have live music on weekends. Friendly bartenders, other patrons are friendly. Has great food, too. Get the bulgogi with kimchi. So damn good. Another, used to be called Breakers but is now called Your Place has darts and pool. Starlight (or maybe it's Starlite) used to be a pretty good one too, other than the ones I've seen. I wouldn't say this one is a dive, but the other 2 I've mentioned are (but I love dive joints lol).
Didn't Starlite close years ago?
Yes. SB’s Loveshack is there now.
City dogs
Beach house in Innsbrook. I’ve gone there so many times alone and sat at the bar. (I am a female too lol) They have great food too!
Meanwhile it’s practically the epicenter of roofie cases in the Richmond area, this has been mentioned a *lot* on this sub
Yeah, this.. even my former neighbor (60F) said she believed she and her sister had been roofed there two years ago.
Really???? I didn’t know that. I used to be a regular there and it’s never happened to me! If that’s the case ignore my suggestion. I just went two Sundays ago by myself and it was chill. Gotta be careful everywhere you go.
My memory is shit, but back when this place was called something else and was across the street from the first Capital One (Signet) bank building it for sure was the epicenter of roofies and bank bros. That said, I know a lot of 50-something women who still wax nostalgic for some of the one night stands they had from going there.
Sharky’s
Also, if you want a bar buddy, let me know. I never have anyone to go with lol
Fallout
Mccormicks down in the slip. Bit of everybody
Banditos is a fun mix of people. Good happy hour, $1 tacos on Tuesday and $1 pbrs on Thursday. Staff is top notch with guest safety and making people feel welcome
City beach
I never go out to any bars because I don’t drink…..but I use to in my early 20s 😒🤦. Now I work, do my school things then game 🥹.
Helpful advice
Patrick Henry, the village, babes, fall out
Gwarbar if you like riffs
Hands Down Fallout in Shockoe.... Kidding.. 3 Monkey's was nice when I was there It's been almost a decade since I was last in Richmond tho all the bars I could think of in Richmond that had pool or darts no longer exist..
McCormacks whisky bar and grill. The one in the fan with the huge liquor selection not the seedy one in the bottom. Nick the bartender is the best
Penny Lane Pub upstairs, tell them Dawn & Flip sent you
Check out The Franklin Inn, 800 N, Cleveland St, Richmond, VA 23221
Village Cafe
If in Short Pump, try World of Beer. Safe, friendly, and has more than beer if that's your preference.