Barcode

Great place with Karaoke food is also great nice vibe. Richmond's oldest lesbian bar. One of the…read morefew left in the USA!

I like this bar. It's mixed, but mostly lesbian from what I…read moresaw this weekend The bartenders were super nice, and the woman at the door was welcoming and kind The DJ was pretty good I love that there's a bar outside and a patio and even a beach volleyball court with sand I don't know if this is typical, but it was a little jarring to hear primal screams from the young girls on the dance floor. This has nothing to do at all with the establishment, but was jarring enough to make note of It was an enjoyable time

Delicious non alcoholic IPA

Vodka, ginger ale, cranberry

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The bar area

Godfrey’s

4.0(127 reviews)

0.2 mi•Downtown

Iconic gay bar with drag shows. A must stop when visiting the city. Drinks are good and you're sure…read moreto have a great time.

Great atmosphere, talented queens, drink specials, and yummy food for a great brunch experience…read more Service is impeccable. Such a fun time with friends--be prepared to leave as besties with everyone sitting around you. Perfect for birthdays. Easy reservations online. Easy to view the menu and to pay online. Staff is fantastic, and everything is perfectly coordinated. Godfrey's is such a positive and welcoming space and a Richmond institution.

French Toast

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Thirsty's RVA

3.6(45 reviews)

2.6 mi•Reedy Creek

This was my second visit to this little place. The previous visit was at night and they had a…read morelimited menu so I decided to return during full menu hours. To my jubilee it was happy hour and I was excited to drink and eat some yummy Cajun chicken pasta. Well their happy hour is nothing to write home about. It's 1 dollar off their cocktail menu.. disappointing. They do have $3 rails. The service is bleh. We weren't given much attention despite being 2 of the 3 people at the bar. I order the Cajun chicken pasta of course and 30 minutes later it arrives. Let me tell you... it did not come through drippin. I took one bite and was disgusted. There was no sauce whatsoever on this pasta. The chicken was hard and gross. I was hurt so hurt I didn't even order anything else. I sat there and drank my water while my partner in food ate his shrimp po boy which was mediocre. The fries are lit. To my surprise, while waiting for him to finish up they brought out a brand new pasta for me to try. The guy said he made it himself and I was so shocked. He gave it to me free of charge and I'm very appreciative of his effort. The second pasta was better still not for me. I ate some of it and he let me know they would be taking it off of the menu in three days which is probably for the best. I wanted to like this place but unfortunately they just don't cut it.

This bar is a pretty cool place, Cajun/New Orleans style here in RVA. I came here with a group on a…read moreSunday around 1230pm, so we were the only people there. But the waiter greeted us with a smile and took good care of us! The interior is decked out with bourbon street para. I didn't get a drink but I ordered the beignets, which I were told were made in house with a yummy raspberry cream. They were really tasty, a little bit sweeter and not as fluffy as NOLA beignets but good in their own. My friends enjoyed their Nola style drinks as well. I have to come back to try some other dishes and drinks!

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Mj's Tavern

3.9(139 reviews)

78.5 mi

Tried the take out on steak Thursday. The steak was cooked as ordered, "medium rare on the rare…read moreside" well seasoned and tender. The included baked potato was also prepared well. Jamie is always friendly and professional. Other encounters with other staff have been amicable. It's a tavern. It is all inclusive. The food is good with reasonably prices. Dogs are allowed and fawned upon. The music is not overwhelming but I have never been there during the evening.

My wife and I visited MJs for the fourth time in the 6 weeks we have been in VA visiting family…read more Today, we had an incident that someone needs to know about. There are 3 machines in the back where there had been a guy playing on the machine, but he had gotten up and was no where near the machines at this time. We ordered a drink and my wife went over to see what the machines were, what games they had and if they required cash. The "man" in question walks up and asks her "what the fuck are you doing?" She calmly tried to explain that she wanted to see what the machines were and how to play. He continued cursing at her "you can't fucking touch people's machines" "this is gambling". "I've got $350 fucking dollars on this machine" She tried to explain she was sorry and didn't know and he continued to speak to her disrespectfully and cursing at her. She walked away and asked for our tab. I got up walked over and asked him "is that how you speak to people?" He starts trying to explain himself and I reiterated that he could have said things very differently and she didn't know and that's unacceptable. He tells me to talk to the bartender. The bartender comes over and as we are explaining what happened, she says "you probably shouldn't be pushing buttons". There were no questions asked and not one word was said to the douchebag on the machine. We don't live in a state that has gambling. We didn't know he had money on the machine and we certainly weren't trying to spend his money. Ask questions, explain yourself but you don't speak to my wife that way and you will not curse at her and think it's acceptable. We were offered to go cups to take our drinks with us as we left. We were so pissed and upset, we left our full drinks on the bar and left. I can promise you this, we will not ever return here and we will make sure everyone we know is aware of how this establishment treats people who aren't regulars. It's supposed to be a safe environment for all. We didn't feel safe and we didn't feel supported. Shame on you Mr Douchebag and shame on you MJs tavern.

Mimosa (too much oj), fruit cup, & Bloody Mary

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The Wave

3.3(67 reviews)

78.0 mi

My friend and I had such a great night out -- we hit a lively bar, danced a bit, and had a few…read moredrinks. By the end of the night, we were both pretty tired and a little sore from standing and walking around. On a whim, we decided to stop by a nearby SVIP foot massage parlor, and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming, and the therapists were super professional. After a relaxing full-body massage, all the tension just melted away. We left feeling completely refreshed, loose, and happy. Such a great way to end the night.

The music is awful for a gay dance club. $20 cover, too expensive for the quality of DJ music. I…read moretired giving this place a chance several times and was disappointed every time with the music. i prefer big city gay clubs, they know what they're doing. The Wave seems like they're hiring the prom DJ.

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Birthday Girls!!

Q Rooftop Bar

4.2(25 reviews)

0.1 mi•Downtown

Food: NA on the food, but the drinks are good! They have a variety of different cocktails, beer,…read morewine, and mocktails so you can get whatever you are in the mood for. Prices are a little high, but that is what you get when you come to a rooftop bar. Service: Quick, nice people. Ambiance: It is a rooftop bar so think lounge-y pool style without the pool. Felt a little like a DC rooftop and a little older of a crowd for downtown, but a nice difference than the cluby and younger vibe that you get around Scotts.

Get with Kat she is awesome. She takes care of you. Best drinks I had. Every time I come the…read moreservice is great. I love the experience I have here every time I come. Thank you Kat!

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The girl Kat got us right! I love this place!!! Have Kat take care of you.

The Jasper

4.3(193 reviews)

2.2 mi•Carytown

I had been looking forward to experiencing Jasper's, so I decided to treat my husband to his first…read morevisit--and it was an absolutely lovely evening. The ambience is sophisticated, intimate, and effortlessly alluring. Sitting toward the back of the restaurant created such a dark and sexy atmosphere that was perfect for a relaxed date night. Knowing how much my husband enjoys a well-crafted Old Fashioned, I knew he would appreciate the cocktail selection, and he certainly did. I opted for the Caribbean Queen, which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced with just the right touch of a delightful kick. Jasper's offered exactly the kind of atmosphere we were looking for--elegant, intimate, and inviting. Between the sophisticated setting and delicious cocktails, it was a wonderful first experience, and one we'll certainly remember.

I doubt we will return. Everyone was satisfied with the…read morefood. I ordered the kimchi egg rolls that was supposed to have bulgogi, mushrooms and kimchi, but we didn't taste any bulgogi. Only mushrooms and kimchi. Several people from out group ordered the burger and wing appetizers and all said it was good. So the food was 4 stars, but service was a 2 stars. The waitress Katie was so short with us, seldom came back to check to see if we needed anything once food was dropped off. I wanted a second cocktail and had to wave down another waitress who did not acknowledge me, but did talk to our waitress in the side to get her to go to our table. Side note: Happy Hour drink specials are good, but a very limited selection for food specials. Music was a bit loud so it was hard to hold a conversation.

Le menu

Miracle Pop Bites

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Curb appeal

Wonderland

4.4(61 reviews)

1.1 mi•Shockoe Bottom

Cool and cheap dive bar in Richmond! Very grungy and rock. Lots of cool different things to see…read moreeverywhere. They were playing rock music when we came in and it was such a vibe. This is the kind of bar in Richmond that you want to get a PBR.

They asked me to tell everyone. Then, now, and forever…read more The worst service ever. Deal with it.

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Goldwing

4.5(31 reviews)

2.0 mi•Scott's Addition

A beautiful classy speakeasy with live music. It can fit about 50 with excellent service. There is…read moreno sign upfront and the entrance door is very plain. Push. Richmond should spin up a secret speakeasy tour, where entrance is only allowed by word of mouth.

Absolutely obsessed with this place. Tucked away in Scott's addition you would never really know it…read morewas there so it's like an unofficial speakeasy. Came in for happy hour and had a selection of treats to choose from. The affogato was to die for. No one was in for happy hour as I believe it was from 5pm-6pm so it felt like we rented out the entire spot which was nice b !! I will be back

Inside

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Penny Lane Pub

3.8(402 reviews)

0.3 mi•Downtown

10/10 on everything! Atmosphere, Drinks, Food, Entertainment(broadcast games and upstairs sport)…read moreand SERVICE 20/10 always! Best fish & chips in town that's always my go to! Absolutely adore this place!

We stopped in here after a conference for some dinner and drinks. We got the Shepard's pie and the…read morefish and chips and they were so good!! Such a cool place, highly recommend'

Room at the front entrance

Classic Reuben

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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Christian R.

109

22

8

3 years ago

From the moment I walked into Barcode, nestled in the heart of Richmond, VA, I knew I was in for a unique experience. But little did I expect that their water would leave such an indelible impression! The water here is simply exceptional - chilled to perfection, with a purity and taste that speaks of high-quality filtration. Each sip was a refreshing journey, complementing the vibrant atmosphere and friendly service that Barcode is renowned for. What struck me was the attention to detail - the water was served in elegantly designed glasses, each with just the right amount of ice, never diluting the taste. It's rare to find a place that elevates something as simple as water to an art form, but Barcode has done just that. Their commitment to quality extends beyond their impressive drink selections and into the very basics, making even a glass of water feel like a luxury. Barcode's water was not just a thirst quencher; it was a highlight of my evening. It's a testament to their dedication to providing the best to their customers, regardless of how simple the item might be. I highly recommend Barcode to anyone visiting Richmond - come for the unique ambiance, stay for the best water in town! Cheers to Barcode for making even the simplest things extraordinary! read more

Kevin D.

2

1

0

1 year ago

a gay bar turning away a friend after one unfortunate situation. used to work there, had been going there for years, used to recommend it to people who live in town and people visiting. no more. 1 star read more

Jai G.

16

6

1

16 years ago

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Stiff drinks, good bar food, and very easy to strike up a conversation with just about anyone in this lad back bar =-) read more

Charity R.

19

27

0

17 years ago

These are great people. I eat there once and week. It is always great with great people. Thanks Andy. read more

Kamen V.

425

3

0

10 years ago

Great staff/patrons.

Barcode - gaybars - Updated September 2026

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City Beach

3.6

(34 reviews)

Fun bar! Food is overpriced but good. I mostly go to play games and drink with friends. Music and…read morekaraoke is a lot of fun here as well!

I was invited here to try the pasta however, I definitely stayed for the people and the ambience. I…read morewas a little skeptical at first eating pasta and seafood from a bar rather it has "beach" in the name or not. I am happy, however that I was persuaded to take a chance. The Pasta was absolutely mouthwatering, and the portion size was not only filling but gave me enough for another meal. While I sat and ate by myself I wasn't alone for long. The place was filled with many friendly regulars and workers. I enjoyed the conversation and even stayed for a few drinks. In the back there is a game room that has basketball, pool, darts, and corn hole. Throughout the inside there are many tv scattered around. In one area you will find a collection of tv and about 6 couches. One thing I also thinks deserves mentioning is that they have two women's bathrooms. I have never had to wait which I feel is a common problem in bars for women.

Thirsty's RVA

3.6

(45 reviews)

This was my second visit to this little place. The previous visit was at night and they had a…read morelimited menu so I decided to return during full menu hours. To my jubilee it was happy hour and I was excited to drink and eat some yummy Cajun chicken pasta. Well their happy hour is nothing to write home about. It's 1 dollar off their cocktail menu.. disappointing. They do have $3 rails. The service is bleh. We weren't given much attention despite being 2 of the 3 people at the bar. I order the Cajun chicken pasta of course and 30 minutes later it arrives. Let me tell you... it did not come through drippin. I took one bite and was disgusted. There was no sauce whatsoever on this pasta. The chicken was hard and gross. I was hurt so hurt I didn't even order anything else. I sat there and drank my water while my partner in food ate his shrimp po boy which was mediocre. The fries are lit. To my surprise, while waiting for him to finish up they brought out a brand new pasta for me to try. The guy said he made it himself and I was so shocked. He gave it to me free of charge and I'm very appreciative of his effort. The second pasta was better still not for me. I ate some of it and he let me know they would be taking it off of the menu in three days which is probably for the best. I wanted to like this place but unfortunately they just don't cut it.

This bar is a pretty cool place, Cajun/New Orleans style here in RVA. I came here with a group on a…read moreSunday around 1230pm, so we were the only people there. But the waiter greeted us with a smile and took good care of us! The interior is decked out with bourbon street para. I didn't get a drink but I ordered the beignets, which I were told were made in house with a yummy raspberry cream. They were really tasty, a little bit sweeter and not as fluffy as NOLA beignets but good in their own. My friends enjoyed their Nola style drinks as well. I have to come back to try some other dishes and drinks!

Daddio's Grille

4.0

(30 reviews)

Well, dive bars of the world unite. I really do love finding places like this in America because so…read moremany places are very restrictive and you're not allowed to have fun - Daddio's lets ya smoke inside and their music is so loud you have to yell to talk to each other, but you're not here for conversation, you're here to drink and have a good time; shoot some pool and avoid getting a DUI on the way home. This is the kind of dive bar you remember dragging your alcoholic parents out of as a kid If you don't drink alcohol then you can drink Pepsi! My favorite soda, bonus cool points for that. Service is prompt and friendly no complaints there If you're just passing by this might be a bit foreign to you, but if you're a local this is your go to dive bar to get drinks after work or to escape the spouse nagging you at home with a honey - to do list If you get offended or if you've filed a complaint with HR in the last 90 days you might not like it here, but if you can throw back a 6 pack you could stop in and say hi to some friends

Food is delicious and well prepared. Service is friendly and courteous. Great place to take a date…read moreto play pool or go alone.

Rose Marie Inn

3.2

(33 reviews)

Great Dive Bar and prices are pn the less expensive side. Liked the regulars I met and bartender…read morewas kind. I was just killin' time on my wat to grab my dogs fro. the groomer, but I'll be back. Country music playin' inbackground, a few TVs, so.e games, booths, and bar seating. Cool little covered area outside too.

I've known of this dive bar for a long time, but never went until this past weekend, when a friend…read morewas supposed to be hosting karaoke. Needless to say, his schedule got switched and there was no karaoke, but instead a disco night. We stayed anyway and got a few dances in with what appeared to be regulars, and it was a decent time. Everyone was nice and welcoming. Older crowd (50s+). We didn't eat anything, so I can't speak to the food. Is it in desperate need of a renovation? Yes. Keep your mind open, and you might enjoy yourself on one of their themed nights.

Grandstaff & Stein

4.1

(351 reviews)

The Cost: May seem exclusive but very affordable. The vibe was literally like a 1920s secret…read morespeakeasy. A hidden gem behind the bookshelf door; completely candle-lit, dim, cozy, and very romantic with jazz music playing. My husband is highly allergic to shrimp and has an aversion to onions. They took our concerns into consideration and offered some suggestions from their vast menu selection featuring excellent roasted chicken options, steaks, and pork chops. Everything was made entirely to order. My husband ordered the chicken piccata and was able substitute the asparagus for mashed potatoes; I ordered the pork belly, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts. This was the BEST meal and perfect ending to our day. We spent the entire day celebrating our 19 year anniversary! Grandstaff was actually our second option and being disappointed at a previous restaurant (whose name is not worth mentioning). We will DEFINITELY visit this beautiful restaurant again. Special thanks to Rebecca, Dolly, and Francis for making this day memorable

The parking is a sh*t show around here. We walked here, so I can't fault them for that…read more Upon entering, we were greeted by an enthusiastic young man dedicated to his role. He asked for the password and we, unprepared, had to tell him a joke or an interesting fact. Luckily, my partner had one on hand. The atmosphere was lovely, very reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy, or at least what you'd imagine it to be like. Our server came by within a few minutes of us being seated. She lacked enthusiasm, unlike the host, unfortunately. Her service turned out to be lackluster as well. We ordered the chicken pot pie and the filet mignon with asparagus. For drinks, the Grape Gatsby and Maine root beer. The food, like our server, lacked appeal. The saving grace was the host and the atmosphere. The view was lovely and the intimacy of the setting was a welcome experience. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding, and it was tasty, though nothing special. The burned odor that we smelled prior to its arrival turned out to be the bread. I can recommend Grandstaff and Stein as an experience, but you should not expect much in the way of culinary delights or exemplary service. We probably won't be back, but if you've never been, it's worth trying at least once.

Lakeside Tavern

3.7

(24 reviews)

Though the name doesn't allude to it, I've heard many people say Lakeside Tavern has the best…read moreKorean food in the area. I decided to invite a large group and give it a go during a weeknight. It is very much a neighborhood dive bar so I would set your expectations for atmosphere/service/prices from that standpoint. It seemed like there were a lot of regulars. They have bar seating, high tops, and tables. They have karaoke every weeknight and live music during weekends. The kitchen is run by an older Korean lady so be patient and give some grace. They have Korean food and normal American bar food. She makes the Korean food from scratch. I really enjoyed my bulgogi and Korean wings. If I return, I'd try calling to get my order in earlier so I don't have to wait as long.

I admit, I have not yet tried any of the food. I'm still trying to adjust to the culture shock but…read morethat's another story. If you're looking for a cool little dive bar that does nothing but karaoke you found your destination there.

Cahoots

3.2

(15 reviews)

The building and people create a Great atmosphere. friendly upbeat service. reasonable prices…read more really enjoyed the music

Got to step into Cahoots Neighborhood Bar in The Fan, and I am obsessed with the atmosphere. The…read morepeople running it pretty cool too. It's the kind of place where the lighting is perfectly dim, the live jazz is smooth, and the classic cocktails are just what you need. If there isn't live jazz, the playlist is on point. It's giving grown, moody, and sophisticated; perfect for a date night or a vibey drink with friends. A huge welcome to the neighborhood for this gem! Go check them out y'all!

The Jasper

4.3

(193 reviews)

I had been looking forward to experiencing Jasper's, so I decided to treat my husband to his first…read morevisit--and it was an absolutely lovely evening. The ambience is sophisticated, intimate, and effortlessly alluring. Sitting toward the back of the restaurant created such a dark and sexy atmosphere that was perfect for a relaxed date night. Knowing how much my husband enjoys a well-crafted Old Fashioned, I knew he would appreciate the cocktail selection, and he certainly did. I opted for the Caribbean Queen, which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced with just the right touch of a delightful kick. Jasper's offered exactly the kind of atmosphere we were looking for--elegant, intimate, and inviting. Between the sophisticated setting and delicious cocktails, it was a wonderful first experience, and one we'll certainly remember.

I doubt we will return. Everyone was satisfied with the…read morefood. I ordered the kimchi egg rolls that was supposed to have bulgogi, mushrooms and kimchi, but we didn't taste any bulgogi. Only mushrooms and kimchi. Several people from out group ordered the burger and wing appetizers and all said it was good. So the food was 4 stars, but service was a 2 stars. The waitress Katie was so short with us, seldom came back to check to see if we needed anything once food was dropped off. I wanted a second cocktail and had to wave down another waitress who did not acknowledge me, but did talk to our waitress in the side to get her to go to our table. Side note: Happy Hour drink specials are good, but a very limited selection for food specials. Music was a bit loud so it was hard to hold a conversation.

Benny's Tavern

3.5

(31 reviews)