The 9 Must-Visit Cocktail Bars in Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA is known for its vibrant history, outdoor activities and incredible food and craft beer scene. But the cocktail bars in Richmond are a big part of that scene too. 

From classic cocktails to innovative new drinks, the cocktail bars in Richmond offer thirsty patrons a great experience, if you know where to go. Having lived in Richmond most of my life, I’m proud to see the alcohol scene flourishing here and have been impressed with the bars below.

Short on time? Here are the key takeaways:

• All bars will have a food option as required by VA law
• Most of the cocktail bars in Richmond will be open late night
• In our opinion, don’t miss Grandstaff & Stein and The Jasper

Alcohol Laws in Virginia

We’ll be brief and try not to throw too much judgment about the laws, but…. they are antiquated in our humble opinion.

In Virginia, for an establishment to sell alcohol under a mixed beverage license (not a brewery or distillery), 45% of their overall sales needs to be non-alcoholic (i.e. food, coffee, soda, etc). 

In short, unless you are physically making the alcohol, you have to sell food. Great for us as patrons who get the munchies when they drink, but also frustrating as we can’t have a true cocktail bar in Richmond that doesn’t serve food. 

In addition, state law prohibits the discount of alcohol (aka happy hours) from 9 PM – 2 AM. Not the biggest deal, but you’ll see that any discounted drinks will end at 9 PM. 

Map of Cocktail Bars in Richmond

Best Cocktail Bars in RVA

1. The Jasper

• Hours: Daily 5PM – 12AM
  • Friday-Saturday: 5PM – 2AM
• Happy Hour: 5PM – 7PM 
• Reservations Required: First-come, first-serve

In 2018, The Jasper emerged in Richmond’s Carytown neighborhood, presenting itself as a versatile cocktail bar with a speakeasy-style ambiance and an imaginative selection of drinks.

As one of the top cocktail bars in Richmond, The Jasper stands out as a laid-back sanctuary for cocktail enthusiasts, marking a significant transformation in the city’s drinking culture.

Named after Jasper Crouch, a 19th-century bartender and caterer in Richmond, the establishment pays homage to its historical roots. Crouch, a freed Black slave, was renowned as the top drink maker for Chief Justice John Marshall’s Quoit Club, a summer social gathering.

With a commitment to “full pours and fair prices,” they distinguish themselves by seamlessly blending creativity and expertise, making high-level cocktail experiences accessible to everyone. As a result, they are delivering exceptional cocktails. 

2. Grandstaff & Stein

• Hours: Daily from 4PM – 12AM
• Happy Hour: No
• Reservations Required: No

Psst! Ready for a juicy tidbit? Well, we’ve got the inside scoop on a fantastic hidden cocktail bar in Richmond. Nestled downtown, Grandstaff & Stein is a hidden gem that is no ordinary bar & restaurant – it’s a bona fide speakeasy! 

Even if you’ve been a Richmond resident forever, chances are you’re oblivious to the existence of Grandstaff & Stein. You won’t stumble upon it accidentally; it’s the kind of place you need to seek out intentionally. 

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior – there’s nothing about the building or its entrance that screams “cocktail bar”. In fact, the entrance to this hidden gem is cleverly disguised as a bookcase. How’s that for a dash of intrigue?

In our opinion, it isn’t a true speakeasy unless you have a password and Grandstaff & Stein doesn’t disappoint.  If you’re armed with the secret password (check their website here), you’ve got a golden ticket to enter this fantastic cocktail bar. All their passwords pay homage to the Prohibition time period.

When we visited, Sam ordered The Duke, a twist on a bourbon sour with the twist being, get ready for this…Duke’s mayonnaise. Gross, right? Nope, it was absolutely delicious. Chris enjoyed the Tobacco Row, a smoked Catoctin Creek Rye (regional whiskey), Brandy, chicory, simple and bitters. 

Both drinks were seriously amazing which is why they are #2 on our list for best cocktail bars in Richmond. 

In addition to killer cocktails, they offer a variety of spirit flights including a local Virginia Rye flight, Rum, Tequila, Gin, Amaro and more. 

If you are hungry, they offer fine dining options as well as elevated appetizers such as baked brie, arancini and duck drumettes. 

3. The Roosevelt

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Saturday: 5PM – 10PM
  • Sunday: 5PM – 9PM
• Happy Hour: No
• Reservations Required: No, but recommended

Nestled in Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, Church Hill, The Roosevelt serves up a one-of-a-kind take on Southern cuisine, accompanied by a dazzling array of wines, local beers, and cocktails that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Since its grand debut in July 2011, the restaurant has become the embodiment of Southern charm, welcoming guests with open arms and serving up cocktails that are nothing short of liquid magic. 

When we visited, we were with friends and came for a nightcap so we were lucky to grab 4 seats at the quaint bar. We each ordered something different and all 4 of us were so blown away by the drinks we all sampled each others’ drinks. 

Sam got the House Penicillin, a classic cocktail, but their take on it included a house-made honey ginger lemon sherbert syrup. Needless to say, it was delectable. Chris ordered the My Full Name is Richard, which was a well-balanced whiskey-based concoction that left you feeling warm and cozy. 

The Roosevelt has been collecting awards like souvenirs from a fantastic journey. Style Magazine crowned it Restaurant of the Year in 2012, and Richmond Magazine dubbed it the Best New Restaurant in the Region. 

Even as The Roosevelt has toasted to and blown past its 10-year milestone, it remains a force to be reckoned with on the national culinary scene. Thrillist hails it as one of “The 13 Best Restaurants in the South,” and Esquire gives it a nod as one of the “Best Bars in America.” 

Given the limited seating options, we highly recommend having a reservation for dinner or be prepared to wait. 

4. The Emerald Lounge

• Hours: Daily 5PM – Close
• Happy Hour: Yes, 5PM – 7PM Daily
• Reservations Required: No, they don’t take reservations

Meet The Emerald Lounge, Church Hill’s freshest cocktail retreat brought to life by the brilliant minds from The Jasper. 

Tucked in the delightful Church Hill neighborhood, this tropical sanctuary is now serving up a delightful blend of rum, agave, and brandy-infused wonders inspired by the lively vibes of the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Step into a modern twist on a tropical paradise, drawing inspiration from the legendary cocktails bars of 1920s Cuba and the easygoing ambiance of 1970s – think laid-back, stylish, and mid-century modern vibes, with roomy booths beckoning you to get cozy. The bar offers an impressive array of rums, brandies, and agave spirits, accompanied by a burst of fruity juices to tickle your taste buds.

But what’s a tropical getaway without scrumptious bites? 

The Emerald Lounge presents a menu of casual small plates and munchies, perfectly paired with your preferred libations, following in the footsteps of its sibling, The Jasper. We ordered the Togarashi Popcorn, Shrimp Ceviche, and Spam Cubano Sliders for the table to split. Not going to lie, I haven’t had Spam since I was a child and I was seriously shocked at how good they were. 

We were there right when they opened at 5 to get a big booth in the back to take advantage of their happy hour. Their prices for cocktails start at $6 which is a steal and they were absolutely divine!

Like most establishments in Church Hill that are renovated-turn-of-the-century-homes-now-bars, seating is limited. They don’t accept reservations either so be prepared to wait. 

5. Black Lodge

• Hours:
  • Tuesday – Thursday: 5PM – 12AM
  • Friday – Saturday: 5PM – 2AM
  • Sunday & Monday: Closed
• Happy Hour: Daily 5PM – 7PM
• Reservations Required: No

Black Lodge is an unassuming spot to grab some unique craft cocktails in Richmond. Tucked into the boozy Scott’s Addition neighborhood, Black Lodge is located next to its upscale, sister restaurant Brenner Pass. 

The space itself is dark yet cozy, but offers limited seating if you are with a large group. With only a handful of tables in the back, be prepared to grab a drink at the packed bar and stand. 

We got a few rounds of cocktails when we visited and were impressed with the creative concoctions and presentation. 

Sam went with a classic-style vodka gimlet to start, but on round 2 tried their “Dressed Up Pony” which is whiskey, ginger and lemon served in a Miller High Life Pony glass with the beer in 2 shot glasses. 

If you start to get hungry, they have a unique food offering from caviar to hotdogs to veggie plates. They also offer the Tower of Power. For a low cost of $110, you get two tiers of hot dogs, wings, patty melts and fries. This is a solid choice if you are with a larger crew. Their kitchen is open until 9PM and then food options become limited. 

6. The Verdant Lady

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 5PM – 11PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 4PM – 12AM
• Food: Yes, through their attached restaurant Les Crêpes
• Reservations Required: No, first-come, first-serve
• Happy Hour: Daily ($2 off beer, $5 wine, $5 rails; Wednesday – $2 off all signature drinks and half-off wine bottles)

While The Verdant Lady is a bit outside of “downtown” and is located in Richmond’s West End area, we just had to include it on this list because we think it is that good.  In fact, when we walked into this place, we were blown away by the atmosphere (and as you’ll see soon, the drinks too) and commented to each other that we couldn’t believe this great cocktail bar was located in the suburbs as it feels like it should be right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.  But that just adds to its charm and allure.

The Verdant Lady cocktail bar got its name from the ‘Verdant Lady’ cocktail (which is a take on a gimlet, but adds in green Chartreuse and mint) and naturally has the drink as the first one on its menu.  But that is only the beginning as all of the other cocktails on the menu are unique, fun, and creative.

On our first visit, Chris had the booze-forward yet delightfully complex ‘Nothing Forgotten’ (rye, bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, apple shrub, angostura bitters, and thyme), while Sam, ever the sucker for a cocktail with egg white got the ‘Shrunken Honey’ (gin, Amaro Nonino, honey, lemon, ginger, egg white, orange bitters) – both magnificent!  And we liked the drinks and the vibe so much that we convinced our friends to go back with us the very next night where we tried different drinks that were equally fantastic.  

If you’re not feeling cocktails, they do have beer and wine, but trust us, save this visit for when you do want a cocktail – you won’t regret it.

Staying true to its lush name, the walls inside are every bit as green as you’d expect and it just felt like it was the perfect combination of funky and inviting to enjoy a drink with friends.

7. Harry’s at Hofheimer

• Hours:
  • Tuesday – Thursday: 4PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 4PM – 12AM
  • Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays: 11AM – 3PM
• Food: Yes
• Reservations Required: Not required, but recommended
• Happy Hour: Tuesday – Saturday: 4PM – 6PM (½ off glasses of wine and martinis, $2 off draft beer, $9 daily signature cocktail)

Located in the busy Scott’s Addition neighborhood, Harry’s at Hofheimer is actually two different bars in one – there is a speakeasy and a lounge.  During our visit, we didn’t get to visit the speakeasy portion of the bar due to capacity constraints but do know that it isn’t really a true speakeasy in that it isn’t difficult to find or much of a secret at all – it’s located on the first floor and right next to the main entrance to the main Hofheimer bar/restaurant, after all.

Much like the two-bars-in-one concept, the name Harry’s actually has many meanings as well.  The bars are located in the historic Hofheimer Building which was built back in the 1920s for Herold “Harry” Hofheimer.  Further, they draw inspiration from two other “Harry’s”: Harry Craddock, who was a legendary mixologist at The Savoy Hotel in London, and Harry MacElhone, who wrote the famous book, “Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails.”

Not being able to get into the speakeasy, we headed upstairs to their second-floor lounge which was complete with large couches and tables for mingling.  On the night we visited, the music in the lounge was rather loud making it difficult to talk to our friends who were sitting right next to us on the couch.  Again, maybe we are aging ourselves a bit here, but it just didn’t give us the ‘lounge’ vibes that we were expecting given the name.

The cocktail menu in the lounge was very small (only 5 drinks available) and were served to us in small plastic cups.  Maybe a bit picky, but if we are paying $13 for a drink, I’d expect true glassware.  As for the actual cocktails themselves, they were good (not great) and is exactly what we were expecting based on the menu – so they met expectations.

While maybe a bit unfair as everyone can have one bad night, we’re not sure we’d come back to the Lounge portion of Harry’s, but we definitely do want to try and visit the speakeasy again as we’ve heard positive reviews and the pictures we’ve seen look much more like somewhere we’d want to hang out.

8. Fanboy

• Hours:
  • Sunday – Thursday: 11:30AM – 12AM
  • Friday & Saturday: 11:30AM – 2AM
  • Lunch served from 11:30AM to 4PM, and then dinner thereafter
  • After 4PM, Fanboy is a 21-and-up spot
• Reservations Required: Not required, but HIGHLY recommended (via Resy)

Fanboy is one of the newest entrants to the growing cocktail bars in Richmond scene and it’s certainly a different type of vibe than the others on this list.  While it isn’t a speakeasy, it can be a bit difficult to find as you won’t find it on Google Maps and there isn’t a lick of signage out front to indicate you’ve found it – and we’re pretty good at finding our booze establishments

Once inside, you’re transported into something that we’re not quite sure how to describe.  Maybe we’ll sound like aging millennials here, but the lighting was low and red and it was loud.  And we mean LOUD.  We had a reservation on a Friday night at 9:30PM just to grab some drinks and were literally shouting to our friends across the booth just to have a conversation.  But that’s the vibe they’re going for and they’re nailing it.

If you’re hungry, Fanboy has a full menu with things like truffle fries, lobster rolls, Wagyu hot dogs, and a Mushroom “Cheesesteak”.  We had just come from dinner, so we didn’t partake, but everything we saw coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled great.

As for the drinks, the cocktail list was small (about 12 drinks in length) but rather diverse and had things like a BBQ Old Fashioned (with bacon fat-washed Old Forester and a strip of bacon), the Hot Champurrado (mezcal, Mexican chocolate, toasted oat milk, vanilla), and the Girl Scout Cookies (rum, coconut, demerara, and a coconut salted foam).

In our humble opinion, the specialty cocktails were “fine” – they didn’t blow us away and leave us yearning for more.  For what it’s worth, we all got non-specialty cocktails for round 2 (Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Whiskey Sour) and honestly enjoyed those more than round 1.  Do with that what you will.

9. Heritage Restaurant

• Hours:
  • Wednesday – Saturday: 5PM – 9PM for kitchen; bar open until 11PM
• Reservations Required: Not required, but recommended (via Resy)

Caddy-corner to one of Richmond’s wine bars and located smack in the middle of the historic Fan District, Heritage Restaurant is one of the top spots in Richmond, and depending on who you talk to, it could be their top spot because of their food or it could be because of their bar program.  We’re here to say it it’s both.

Going by accolades alone, you know this place has to be good – over the years, Heritage and its chefs have claimed honors including Best New Restaurant, Top 100 Restaurants in the South, and Chef of the Year.  Even though the fame and notoriety are there, it’s still a neighborhood place with a laid-back atmosphere.

While the dinner menu can have a seasonal focus on ingredients, you may find complex yet approachable dishes like pork chops, Szechaun-glazed duck breast, gemelli Bolognese, and even a local fluke (fish).  Whatever you do, do NOT miss the Pimento Croquettes which are balls of pimento cheese (a Southern staple) deep-fried to perfection – ooey, gooey, salty, heavenly!

But we know what you’re thinking, you’re really here for the cocktails, and Heritage doesn’t disappoint there either.  Their cocktail list is ever-changing and seasonal, but no matter what, your drinks will be equal parts beautiful and delicious.  For a flavor of what’s on offer right now: the Should Have Had a V8 (clarified gin punch, toma celina cheese rind, cucumber, garlic scapes, basil, mint, lime), the High Brow/Low Brow (peanut butter fat washed solera sherry, creme de cassis, sesame), and the Sage Against the Machine (sage & brown butter George Dickel rye, absinthe, demerara).

Richmond’s cocktail scene offers a diverse array of experiences, from hidden speakeasies to bustling neighborhood bars. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or just dipping your toes into the world of mixology, there’s something for everyone to sip and savor in this vibrant city. 

With each establishment boasting its own unique ambiance, expertly crafted drinks, and warm hospitality, exploring the cocktail bars in Richmond is not just about enjoying a libation—it’s about immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of flavors, history, and community that defines this dynamic Southern city.

Looking for more Richmond guides? We’ve got a BUNCH. Check out the most popular ones below:

• Ultimate Guide to Richmond Distilleries
• Scott’s Addition Breweries Guide
• A Local’s Guide for fun things to do in Richmond, VA
• Top 6 Rooftop Bars in Richmond VA to catch a view