This is a great spot with friendly staff and a great happy hour. Super welcoming and lots of different kinds of people. The vibe is fun, quieter and chill if you come early before the party gets going, lots of different events always happening. They also have really good bar food, and the fries are beautifully crispy and golden. Love this place! read more

Do not waste your time here. Most unfriendly bar is have ever been in. First a customer pushed me and said move. They did nothing. Then my husband of 43 and I went to take a piss and they threw us out. read more

Let's rate the bar... not the girls... I entered on a Sunday Funday night, solo. 1st thing, Nobody was doing too much. Secondly it wasn't packed. Thirdly, the cute bartender was off; But i received quick and efficient service. The bartender and wait staff were friendly and communicative if someone is waiting on food to go. --so you won't forget yo shit. The late night menu has good options and tastes great. I'll come back. As far as the girls... ugh, Hunny... it's Richmond. read more

Barcode - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I love a good dive bar/sports bar This place is nice It's casual It has promise Did not know that you have to order your drinks on either end of the bar so we found an empty spot at the bar to order our drinks Megan Thee Bartender walked past us about four times and never said hi, never acknowledged us She was just very cold and uninterested.. We never expect to be "catered to" But what actually is wrong with saying hello to a customer that just arrived? Finally, a skinny guy with a baseball cap and curly hair came by to take our drink order He was very nice My circumstantial disappointment with places like this and people's attitudes are merely that - disappointments I'm thankful that we don't live locally and that this is our only choice for a fun night out. The inaptitude and apathy are none of my concern pass this evening. I hope Megan has better days and I wish her well read more

Sex in bathrooms extra rudeness from staff and owner...1 out of several bartenders are kind and rude all together

I'm new to the Richmond Virginia area. This LGBTQ+ bar has been awesome in having me feel welcomed, find friends and feel like I'm part of the community!! The customers our wonderfully diverse from young to old, gay, lesbian, transgendered, questions, non-binary, straight, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, thin, heavy, all body styles, wealthy, penniless everyone is welcomed and people mix. Since moving to Richmond in the one bar I've made friends with warm friendly people in all those categories and people who may not fit those categories. The bartenders are awesome. At least three including the owner have been there over 15 years. In addition to drinks, they also serve food and it's good ranging from salads to wings and beyond. read more

Barcode - Barcode patio - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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10/10 nice bar, didn't meet anybody bad. Was decently busy even on Sundays. Very chill place.

To me, the previous reviews did not provide many details about this bar. Therefore, I decided to see for myself. That's right, I took the train from Philly to RVA and I came on a Saturday late afternoon. My impression of Barcode was WOW, this place is so clean and spacious. I did have trouble finding the entry door at first lol.(my fault) Friendly greeting from the bartender Savita and a very welcoming friendly locals. My Cocktail drink was balanced and made well. The music sound level was great! Not too overwhelming, and I was able to have conversations without yelling at my friends. Overall Great environment. I ordered a Soft Chicken Tacos: Marinated Pulled chicken Corn Black beans Tomato Bell Pepper Onions Lettuce Sour cream and secret sauce? Ask for Jalapenos and Cilantro on the side if available (I think it would add a wow factor). Overall, great experience, a well-balanced cocktail, and tasty tacos! I would come back here on Saturdays. I hope you enjoy the pictures of the bar. Parking on the street is not too bad. So, circle around, find a parking spot, and stop by. read more

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Although it's been a few years since I was there I always had a fantastic experience and enjoyed the food, the drinks and the staff. It's laidback and not pretentious and also not a dive bar. It attracts people of all walks of life, all sexual orientations and genders. It's friendly and welcoming and clean and fun. Everything a good bar should be. read more

Maybe it's a better vibe when not crowded, but on a Thursday night it was horrible. I waited over half an hour to order a drink while I watched the bartender get MULTIPLE rounds of drinks for groups who stood by the end of the bar. When I finally got to order, she was extremely rude. Certainly not what you'd expect in a gay bar. Website says they serve food, but I'm not sure who they serve it to because that wasn't offered at 10:30pm even though they have a late night menu. So a 0 review for the food. read more

This gay bar in downtown Richmond has cheap drinks, cute guys and friendly staff. Feels like a neighborhood bar, it's clean with a long wood bar in a shot gun space. The bartender told me that on weekends people go back in forth between there and Godfrey's the dance club. read more

The service was good the space was not interesting and bland. The crowd was non existent. It was lacking and drinks had a bleached taste.

My partner and I came early to get some food and drinks, so this isn't based on the late night club experience--which we didn't get to check out. We got drinks and some tacos--taco Tuesday! I had their chicken tacos and my partner had the fish tacos--we were both pleasantly surprised. Food came out quickly and looked and tasted good! The drinks were great, not too strong that it's like drinking hair spray, and not too weak that it's like chugging simple syrup--just right(Goldilocks)! Brian was serving us and he was great and friendly. read more

Barcode - Chicken tacos - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I have to say this bar was pretty on point with food and drinks. I ended up getting basic bar food, grilled cheese and a chicken quesadilla. I highly recommend this bar. Even the service was on point. Staff are super friendly! read more

Barcode - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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As the Gay Socialite, I can not visit a city and not check out the local nightlife. Before my niece and her wife suggested Barcode I had already seen their page on social media and thought I would pass. Glad I didn't! Although it's not much to look at, it has heart and soul. The bartender was a sweetie, the locals were so friendly and I met a few other people visiting Richmond for the weekend. The drinks were delicious and easy on the Amex. I say go for cocktails and conversation. Xoxo Lorenzo! read more

Barcode - Enjoy the night with my nephew, niece and her wife - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We walked in this bar trying to find a place for drinks after finding a bug in my vodka at 3rd street diner. Someone was trying to talk to us and the bouncer saved us and offered us sanctuary inside. Once inside we realized this wasnt the usual place we would go to but the vibe was so welcoming. Good music, everyone was friendly, they have art on the walls that is for sale and beautiful AND THE DRINKS WERE SUPER AFFORDABLE. Id actually come back here over and over if i was in the area. $4 vodkq and sprite marcus our server was quick and attentive read more

Barcode - Vodka sprite - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Fk COVID-19. That's the theme at this downtown bar. Things are on the downhill side here in RVA - current rules include only masks and 6' of social distance, (e.g., Barcode is at half capacity). The day I popped in, Brian the manager told me they're eager to welcome back the patrons they've been missing for the past year. As the only patron, I found the quiet kinda appealing, but was happy to see others start showing up before my second cocktail was gone. Top notch service, drinks are consistently good (okay, after a total of three)- check out the Deputy Dan, a sort of southern margarita that's more refreshing than any actual margarita I've choked down. Okay, am I the only San Diegan who's not a fan of the classic margarita? Anyways. If more happens I'll update my review but this is definitely worth a visit. Just not on Mondays, when they're closed. read more

Barcode - Front bar at happy hour. Temporary sparseness. - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I came here on a Monday at 4pm to order food. Had a craving for meatloaf so I browsed to see who would have it. It came down to comfort, mama js, and barcode. Barcode had the lowest price at 8.95 for meatloaf & 2 sides so I decided to go there. Comfort was priciest off the 3. It's looking to look at but eh, the reviews were good. It was just opening so I had to wait until 5 to order. The bartender informed me of the happy hour so I decided to have a drink. The bartender was a bit flustered but he made me THE BEST gin & tonic. It also came in a big cup. Instantly excited. Fast forward. I get my food & it's as good as the drink. I could've used a little more gravy but I couldn't have cooked it better myself. It had bits of onion, sausage & chicken. It was absolutely divine. I was walking out around 520 & the place was jumping. Not your typical "gay bar". There were businessmen, heterosexual couples & straight ppl. Actually only saw one gay male couple. The crowd was very diverse. Great prices. Great food. A must go!!!! You won't be disappointed. read more

I love barcode so much. My go to place to feel myself and accepted. I'm a transgender female, and my name is Ava. They asked immediately if I had a preferred name I go by and I was hesitant to say it at first but Patrick was so sweet and made me feel right at home. I absolutely love tequila and they have wonderful tequila shots. They also have really good food and the environment is very relaxing and laid back. Will probably go here almost every night as I absolutely love it here and they make me feel safe. Hugs to all staff and bartenders here who make us transgender girls feel accepted. read more

It's a great place for dinner and drinks and a great food and nice people for service and the bar is stocked

The bar itself is a fairly good establishment. However, you need to be sure to watch the staff when it comes to what youre being billed for. I recently went here to get food to go. I ordered 1 club sandwich, and an order of crispy wings. According to the menu, the club sandwich is priced at $10.50, and the crispy wings are priced at $9.50. When i got my ticket, I hada total of $31.50 total. When I questioned J (bartender); I was told oh its because of city and state tax. I will definitely be limiting my visits to this establishment n the future. read more

This is the most popular gay bar in town- the guys here can be pretentious at times, but that's more so a reflection of the city gay community more so than barcode- there's a lot of genuine people you can meet here, my best suggestion is go on a couple different nights and times and figure out what's best as the crowd changes as it gets later. Been going here for 7 years. Many people order food to go also. read more

Fun, enjoyable atmosphere and super friendly bartenders and servers. Crowd was mostly men, mostly middle aged and older (Saturday night between 9-11). It's a proper bar with room to sit, drink, and socialize. I was very happy that there wasn't music blaring to the point you had to shout at each other. read more

Bar Code is like a gay cheers. Unfortunately Richmond is not known for gay-specific nightlife. Luckily Bar Code is there to provide a haven for those who like the company and vibe unique to gay bars. Nothing fancy, no pretense. Good drinks and surprisingly good food quality. I would venture to say that Barcode has the best Chicken Fingers and nachos in town. The prices are moderate and portions are generous. Daily specials always satisfy. Decor is wood bar and floors, large art prints on the walls, exposed brick etc but tends to be on the dark side as there are no windows due to it being attached on either side. Sunday Karaoke is always fun, especially on holiday weekends. There is a wide variety of talented folks and I have never had a bad time....and I don't even sing! The fact that they keep iced glasses for draft beer is especially appreciated and I have been known to order my mixed vodka/soda/cran in a big ol beer glass. There is an outdoor deck in the rear which tends to be smoker centric. The staff is stable with little turnover and they are always friendly and efficient. read more

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I caught an early dinner at Barcode on St. Patty's Day right after a workout, so I could go scurry away home and stay indoors from 5pm to 3am to avoid Shamrock the Block, which makes my part of town insufferably congested with douchebaggery. No thanks. I needed at least 20 grams of protein, but apparently I didn't care about loading on the carbs and cheese, because I got fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken and garlic bread. The grilled chicken breast is probably all I really needed, but I was only eating once all day, so I went for it. With gusto. It was decent, nothing exceptional, as you can probably tell from the picture. Tasty, simple, hard to screw up. It was a fun day to go, because when I walked in, a bunch of guys dressed up in leather and cop outfits looked at me like "Are you looking for our group? Here we are." I wasn't looking for a bear/leather daddy meeting though. Just food. But yeah, seeing the bear flag up and those guys strutting past me, their chains and cuffs jingling off their military and police outfits, was really fun. I totally respect those guys, although, when you actually see them in person, you realize it's just these otherwise-normal-looking guys wearing these shiny costumes, which is... Oh god, now they're coming to kick my ass and make me lick their boots... Apparently I made it to the bottom of that plate and was still hungry from my workout, because I ordered dessert, shut up, I know. I got the chocolate torte. It was amazing. Bathrooms: Men, Women. In the Men's, a toilet with no stall and 2 urinals with a glass partition, and sink. I hate that bathroom honestly. read more

Barcode - Fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken and garlic bread - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Barcode is my favorite gay bar in Richmond. Actually it's probably the best one I've been to in VA. It's been a staple for the local gay community for years and there's good reason. The staff are fantastic, the drinks are strong and the prices are really low. Don't think for a minute it's not good as a bar in its own right without being distinguished as "gay." I have several straight friends who really love it here and happily choose it over other bars in town. The busiest night is Sunday for karaoke, but most nights have a decent crowd. If you like to dance it's only a few blocks from Godfreys, where drinks are weaker and twice as expensive. So perfect for pregaming. I've never actually had the food here, which is pretty standard pub fare. I've never heard any complaints, though, and my dad says it's good (yes my dad has no shame in coming to a gay bar). read more

Barcode - This! $2.50 vodka/tonic. At least 2 shots of alcohol. - Gay Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Second time here. Interesting interaction with the bartender matt. I ordered a mixed drink and paid cash. Nothing special but noticed there was tax added to end up costing $X.34. Really. Now I have 67 cents in my pocket Try calculating drink prices with tax so it comes to an even dollar or half-dollar amount. Post-purchase I'm approached by an off shift bar tender Paige. She says she was asked to talk to me about why I didn't tip on a cash sale. First, I did tip MATT, the bartender for my drink. This is where things get shady. After explaining to Paige I did tip, I have a couple suggestions. The remainder of the night though, I had to go to another bartender. Matt refused to acknowledge my existence. Ignored me at the drink station. Ignored my empty beer bottle with cash under it (dead give away I'd like another of the same). 5/3 update. After speaking to quite a few locals about Matt, I've heard over and over he's a pretentious prick. He's worked there for 12 years and thinks he's untouchable. Until management understands that he is the reason that people like me sit down and write these reviews you've just lost a customer base. I have no problem with going to a straight bar or any other establishment just contribute money based on his service alone. I admit, I just moved from San Diego and it's a different scene. But to be approached about my tipping and then be ignored by one of two bartenders Is not good business practices. Tips are reflective of quality of service, not mandatory. Matt did not engage in any conversation, really didn't even talk to me. Just stared blankly for me to order, then demand payment. Overall, as one of three gay bars in Richmond, I'd not recommend it. Tonight, I had a poor server who did not understand customer service. I hope management sees this and reaches out. But, from the sounds of things, they don't care read more

We ended up here while trying to find a bar that also had food after a late night performance. Very pleasantly surprised! The food, drinks, and service were all incredible. We ended up back several times during our stay in Richmond. We really enjoyed the chill vibe - music wasn't too loud or overly upbeat, and you could actually have a conversation with people, unlike many of the gay bars were used to back home. Will definitely be back the next time we're in town! read more

This place is always chill and a venue my friends and I can rely on to be consistent with service every time. They are still social distancing and masking which is really great. They have good food (tater tots are my fav) and their drinks are nice. If you drink, you're going to get some strong drinks, so prepare. The service is always good too in my opinion, and I think they're just looking to really open up after taking a hit during covid. Come out and support. read more

Very niiiiiiceeeeeeêhhhh Place was filled with joy n shit. Ppl were nice and fjnny n shyt. read more

This place does answer their phone nor emails sent. Numbers are mismatched and they are non-responsive. I would never not acknowledge my clients. First experience at their establishment and probably the last. Patiently awaiting a response......... read more

Chill place to have a few drinks. Kind of dead, but also not creepy like some bars. Good pours and good prices. No one talks to anyone, but in fairness that may be because of covid. read more

Great drinks at a great value. I really like the art show too. Highly recommend the chicken dinner and they're staff are pretty knowledgeable. read more

Absolutely one of my favorite bar/restaurant in any city I go to. Is it fancy? No. Is it a fine dining experience? No. It is what it is and what it is is a local downtown gay bar that serves some incredible food and great drinks. The front half is a restaurant the back half is a bar but you can eat in either place. And if Ralph is cooking and pork chops are on the menu, it would be a sin not to try them. The lunch menu is the best deal in town, usually offered with two sides and the burgers and fries are delicious. The staff has always been so friendly and welcoming that I feel right at home though I am a thousand miles away from my home. And if you are straight, don't be afraid to step inside the doors--you will feel at home as well. The place is kicking on weekends but there has always been a friendly crowd no matter what night I have been there. Enjoy Richmond! Update April 2010--I just learned today that Ralph passed away recently and is now cooking for the angels in heaven. :( No doubt they have gained a few pounds since his arrival a couple of months ago. Barcode is still great, but Ralph will certainly be missed. read more

My first night EVER in Richmond was Monday. Since I got into town a little earlier than I expected, I decided to go out to see and be seen (you know, to prepare for the weekend). There are a few gay bars in town, but apparently most of them are closed on Monday. Luckily Barcode was open and only about 10 minutes from my new apartment. Parking was pretty easy to find on the street and once I walked in I was able to find a seat at the bar. Pretty open feeling space with some tables and booths toward the front. Matt, the bartender, was very nice and not bad to look at (thanks for my drink). Great first experience. It feels like this is the place to come to get your night started before heading out, but I could be wrong. I plan to be back to find out for sure. read more

I live right across the street from this place and wondered in one night with one of my friends just to take a shot, to get our night started. The bartender was not at all kind, I don't know if it was because we weren't regulars but he was having a conversation smiling with the people next to us and completely had a stone face while asking us for ID's, usually bartenders make convo with new customers for obvious reasons but this guy had terrible customer service, I was really disappointed as I heard great things about this place and was looking forward to a new neighborhood bar, haven't been back since. read more

Wifee loves to check out the local spots frequented by the local gay and lesbian community. I was initially ignorantly apprehensive about it but I have been pleasantly surprised with all my experiences since. The feel of community, vibe, energy and flair is addicting. I cant say every place we have been to will be revisited but this one is on the going back list. The atmosphere was pretty chill with sounds of 80's and 90's music videos pretty much drowning thought out. I found myself 3 centimeters from wifee's ear trying to communicate how I would have liked a little more tonic with my vodka when I realized the genius of it! Super loud music, super strong drinks...forces proximity...removes inhibitions rapidly...well now, where was this place when I was in college? The staff was attentive and very quick to bring out the next round. The bar was full of folks that looked very comfortable and happy to be there. We are a straight couple from out of town and we felt right at home. The whole place was clean, including the restrooms. There was plenty of seating and I even think they had a bar menu. all in all a great experience. read more

OK...so I didn't know this was a gay bar until I came to Yelp and read the reviews... However, the fact that it's a gay bar isn't really relevant to me! The food and service was great and that is what matters to me no matter the "orientation" of the establishment :) Everyone was so nice and I got the crab cakes and spinach..with a Strawberry Margarita..everything was perfect! I was in the area and saw the place and went right on in... I know some people may be apprehensive since it's labeled a "gay" bar..but don't be... If You want great food and service in a great atmosphere.. This place has it. read more

I'd visited this place before, never had issue; this time it was the worst. What I'll say is the "Confederate" disposition is certainly alive and operating at THIS establishment. BOTH of the bartenders totally ignored, didn't acknowledge or offer to serve this customer! I was totally floored, this in the capital of the Commonwealth, at a GAY BAR! Really? HOW can the "help" be pretentious in Richmond (of all places)? Never again; everyone can't tell the same lie. #HORRIBLEcustomerService #HorribleHelp read more

I've been going to Barcode off and on for a few years now, and the quality of this place just keeps improving. Their beer choices are pretty good, the martini menu is great, the atmosphere is casual, the drinks are strong, and the bartenders are probably the friendliest in Richmond. I don't go out that often, but it's nice to experience that welcoming attitude in a city with such a small queer scene. Since so many of Richmond's other gay bars are dance-oriented, I really appreciate being able to have a conversation without having to yell over some throbbing four-on-the-floor bass line. Hey, what do you want from me? I'm getting old! My only complaint is the men's bathroom. Let me put it this way- that restroom ain't for the modest. read more