For those of you who will be coming to Richmond, Virginia for the first time, I would like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of our fair City on the James. Richmond is one of this nation’s oldest communities, and for those who are interested in U.S. history — be it Colonial, Revolutionary, or Civil-War era — Richmond is steeped in it. I could go on and on about places of historical interest, but I know the vast majority of you are coming in for a weekend of wall-to-wall Magic, before either heading home or heading for a local sports bar to catch the Super Bowl. I’ll leave the history to Googlers and get right down to the important stuff — how to get around Richmond, and where to go for food and nightlife.
There are two very different areas of Richmond where you will be spending your time — Downtown Richmond, which is where the Greater Richmond Convention Center is located; and the West End, where many of you will be staying at the Holiday Inn Crossroads. Both the Convention Center and Holiday Inn are very easy to get find, right off of I-64 (see directions on Star City’s GP Richmond announcement page).
Richmond — Downtown
Downtown Richmond is basically a grid, with the numbered streets running north/south and the named streets running east/west. The numbered North/South streets start at First Street, two blocks west of the Convention Center (located between Third and Fourth Streets) and work progressively higher as you head east. The named streets start with Jackson Street as the northerly extreme — when you get off the highway — followed by Leigh, Clay, Marshall, Broad, Grace, Franklin, Main, Cary, and Canal as you work your way south towards the James River. It’s important to remember that most of the streets are one-way, alternating directions, so if you miss your destination you’ll need to turn onto the next street up to go back the way you came.
Broad Street is Richmond’s main thoroughfare and is one of the few downtown streets that have two-way traffic. The Convention Center borders Broad Street and if you’re driving, you can actually take Broad Street all the way to the Holiday Inn Crossroads. Turn west on Broad Street, drive four miles and turn right onto Staples Mill Road. Go one block and the Holiday Inn Crossroads will be on your left. It’s faster taking the highway due to the stoplights along Broad, but going down Broad is the simplest route.
Food
Hungry Magic players will be pleased to know that Sixth Street Marketplace Food Court is within easy walking distance, one block east of the Convention Center between Fifth and Seventh Streets. Open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm, and Sundays 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm. There’s a wide variety of food stands to choose from:
American Way (hamburgers, hot dogs)
Blues Café and Bistro (Steaks, Dine-in Restaurant)
Captain Sam’s Seafood (seafood)
Davinci’s Italian Eatery (Pizza, Italian)
Dragon Wok (Chinese)
Mediterranean Grille (Gyros, Greek)
Subway (subs, salads)
The Grande Café (coffee, ice cream)
There’s plenty of eating space, and a newsstand. Keep in mind that the Convention Center does not allow food and drink to be brought inside, and as I observed at the Guildpact prerelease, security will run you down if they spot it.
Nightlife
Downtown Richmond offers plenty of things to do on Friday and Saturday nights. I’ve listed some notable destinations here.
Penny Lane Pub & Restaurant
421 E Franklin St
(804) 780-1682
As the name would suggest, this is a genuine English pub, and it’s family run. [It’s not only genuinely English, it’s genuinely Scouse — Craig, proud Scouseboy.] Check out the website for food and entertainment details. Very easy to get to from the Grand Prix site, travel south on Third Street, crossing Broad and Grace Street. The next street is Franklin; turn left and Penny Lane is on Franklin Street at the corner of Fifth. Open ‘til 2am Monday — Saturday.
3rd Street Diner
3rd and Main Street
(804) 788-4750
Cheap, good eats, open 24 hours, full bar, great jukebox. This is where I took The Ferrett to eat when he flew in to Richmond a few years back. Typical diner fare, but you can also get some random Greek food, like stuffed grape leaves. Also very easy to get to; travel south on Third Street, crossing Broad, Grace, and Franklin. The diner is located in the next block at the corner of Main and Third Streets.
Richbrau Brewery Restaurant and Pub
1214 East Cary Street in Historic Shockoe Slip
(804) 644-3018
This place is huge, with plenty to do whether you’re looking for food, beverage, pub games, or dancing. Check out their website for details. Another easy destination, travel South on Third Street, crossing Broad, Grace, Franklin, and Main Streets. The next street is Cary Street, take a left and follow it about nine blocks just past Twelfth Street.
Kobe Japanese Steaks and Sushi
19 South 13th Street (Shockoe Slip)
(804) 643-8080
If you feel like splurging, the name says it all. Maybe the Top 8 players will want to go here to celebrate! Follow the directions above for Richbrau Brewery, but go one more block to Thirteenth; it’s located near the corner of Thirteenth and Cary.
If you’re looking to go clubbing or to listen to great bands, Shockoe Bottom is your destination. It’s also easy to get to from the Convention Center: turn left onto Broad Street, heading east. You’ll go a dozen or so blocks, down the big hill and you’ll be in “The Bottom.” Turn right onto Seventeenth Street and start looking for parking. You can then follow the noise to a host of clubs and bars. I’ve made note of a few specific destinations below.
Alley Katz
10 Walnut Alley
(804) 643-2816
The place to go for live music, located off an actual alley that runs between Oliver Hill Way and Eighteenth Street, the block bordered by Franklin and Main Streets. It’s an old tobacco warehouse converted into a wonderful club. I’ve got the bands slated to play that weekend noted here:
Friday, Feb 3rd — Brothers Past
Saturday, Feb 4th — Extra Blue Kind
Tiki Bob’s Cantina
110 North 18th Street
(804) 644-9091
As their website says, “Party like it’s Spring Break all year long…” This is the place to cruise for members of the opposite sex. Apparently, there is occasional bar dancing too. My much younger and hipper single friends live here on the weekend.
Have A Nice Day Café
11 South 18th St.
(804) 771-1700
Located at the intersection of Eighteenth and Main Streets, HaNDC features a multi-floor dance party, with a third floor lounge area to chill. The Dave Matthews Band used to be the Wednesday night house band here, when it used to be called The Flood Zone and nobody had heard of DMB.
Richmond — West End
The area around the Holiday Inn Crossroads is typical Suburbia, USA. Anything you need will be one block south of the hotel on the ubiquitous Broad Street, but be warned: as with most of Suburbia, they roll up the sidewalks pretty early as compared to Downtown. There will be gas stations and convenient stores open all night long, and plenty of fast-food fare, but for sit-down eating and drinking your options dwindle as the night grows longer. Below are a few points of interest.
Graywolf Grill
1601 Willow Lawn Dr (Willow Lawn Mall)
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 673-4110
Dinner Hours: Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm, Sun 5pm-8:30pm
Ah, Mongolian BBQ!! Choose your own meat and vegetables from a raw bar and then have “chefs” stir-fry your meal on the spot. Heed the warnings on the quantity of spices! Former this here site here editor Ted Knutson swears by this place, and I had the pleasure of getting Mongolian with Ted, Jim Ferriaolo, Aaron Forsythe, Nate Heiss and Star Wars Kid not too long ago. Take Staples Mill south to Broad Street, hang a right. Two blocks on your left is Willow Lawn Mall; turn into the parking lot and head the furthest in you can; Gray Wolf will be on the right.
Extra Billy’s Barbecue
5205 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230-3009
(804) 282-3949 (Closed Sundays)
Dynamite ribs and pulled-pork BBQ (arguably the best in the city), you can dine-in or carry-out and bring the goods back to your room. Take Staples Mill south to Broad Street, hang a right. Pass Willow Lawn Mall on your left, Extra Billy’s is located on the left at the corner of Willow Lawn Drive and Broad Street. You’ll need to go past Extra Billy’s and do a U-turn to get to the entrance.
The Crazy Greek
1903 Staples Mill Rd
(804) 355-3786
Click on the link above for the Menu, excellent Greek fare at very reasonable prices. Available for lunch and dinner (call for hours). Take Staples Mill Road, cross Broad Street and the Crazy Greek is immediately to your left.
There are also two chain restaurants nearby, in case you get out too late for those mentioned above. Take Staples Mill south to Broad Street, hang a right. Pass Willow Lawn Mall on your left; a few blocks up you see Ruby Tuesday and the next block is Applebee’s, both on your right-hand side. Both have take-out available.
Ruby Tuesday
5310 West Broad St
(804) 282-8405
Hours: Open Friday, Saturday until 12 a.m., Sundays until 10 p.m.
Applebee’s (Willow Place)
5400 West Broad St
(804) 673-1721
Hours: Open Friday, Saturday until 12 a.m., Sundays until 10 p.m.
And for your caffeine and sugar needs, 24 hours a day…
Krispy Kreme
4910 West Broad St.
(804) 355-9111
Donuts and Coffee, whenever you have the urge. The lobby closes at 11pm, but the drive-thru is open 24 hours. You can see the Krispy Kreme from the rear parking lot of the Holiday Inn, at the corner of Bishop and Broad.
I’ll be around the Convention Center both Saturday and Sunday — often at the gunslinging table — so if you have any other questions about Richmond and the surrounding area, feel free to track me down and ask!
I hope your visit to the Richmond Grand Prix is an enjoyable one!