He Said: 5 Points is the perfect venue. Incredible staff, an amazing selection of music (especially…read morethe dank jam bands), great sound, a bouncy dance floor, and an all around amazing vibe. She Said: He forgot to add that they also have good quality drinks available at reasonable prices. Plus the bar minders are kind and patient and awesome. We go to a LOT of music venues, and the beauty of this aspect of 5 Points cannot be overstated. Potty Points: 4/5 potty points. Do I wish there were more? Yes. Do I have to stand in line sometimes? Also yes. Do I meet some really interesting people in line and appreciate that as well as the cleanliness of the bathrooms once I finally get to use one? Absolutely yes.

Really cool place to see a band play. Gets crowded. Their drink service area could really be better…read moreorganized such as using a line organizer/velvet ropes - no one knows where the line is and you're constantly in someone's way or randomly standing in the middle of the bar line if you're in the back. That part was annoying. Also plan to be squished like sardines when watching a show if you haven't paid for seating. Of course some clutz/drunk guy spilled his drink on my shoes while standing towards the back watching the show. Definitely buy a seat upstairs if you want your personal space and don't want to constantly be in other people's way. General admission style on the ground floor. It also got super hot with crowded capacity of people they allow in. Downstairs bathroom and basement area was nice and cool. Outside the front area for smokers and fresh air. There was also a food truck parked outside the front of you get hungry. The building itself was really cool, old but maintained and remodeled to keep the antique architecture preserved.

I was told to check this place out while I was in town. When I arrived they had a trivia contest…read moregoing on, I didn't participate but sounded like fun. The service was good. Sat at the bar and had a burger which was pretty good.

When I first reviewed this Downtown Roanoke Restaurant, I focused on their drinks and food. But…read morethis time around I couldn't help it to discover why this place is the center of Roanoke's night life. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. I arrived on a Thursday evening with a 6:15pm reservation which I'm glad I had made because later I found out that this place gets to be a full house on Thursdays. A young lady host greeted and welcomed me at the Host's station as soon as I arrived. She checked my reservation and had my table all ready for me. Located in the middle of this very popular Restaurant Bar, gave me a nice view of the entire place, and with a light high above I had a perfect lighting to photograph my drink and food as part of my review of the place. My server Jillian arrived soon after I was seated. She had a wonderful personality and welcomed me with a friendly smile and very pleasant attitude. After answering me some questions about their Mocktails, I ended up ordering their Raspberry Burro. For dinner I ordered their BBQ Bacon Chicken Kababs with a side of their special fries and a salad. While I was waiting for my food to arrive I observed the place quickly filling up and I found out that tonight was Music Bingo and Live Music at 9:30pm with no cover charge. It brought me back to my college days in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the night life was a thing to look forward to. Suddenly I discovered the key of Martin's popularity and the important role it plays in contributing to making the City of Roanoke a Star City indeed. I enjoyed my drink and the Chicken Kababs with the side of special fries were amazingly delicious, as well as the salad. They have a good variety of quality items on their menu and their chefs amazingly deliver. I invite you to read my first review where I celebrate their Cuban Sandwich and Slaw, and view my photographs that accompany my review. What a night. Besides the food, I enjoyed playing the Music Bingo, which one of the card titles was The 1970's. One of the best years of my life, when I attended High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico and College in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. During that time I also won a Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the young age of 17 by catching a 405 pound Blue Marlin off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. It was the best of times for me. My server Jillian provided exceptional customer service, checking on me at the appropriate times. For dessert I ordered their Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding, and it was so good, I can't wait to return to have it again. What an extraordinary dining experience I had that night. I highly recommend this restaurant and bar for when you feel like having a good time, alone or with family and good friends. I promise you will be able to sabor what a Five Star review is all about, and experience for yourselves why Martin's is one of the City of Roanoke's most precious gems.

It is said that valuable things come in small boxes, but never in my wildest imagination did I…read moreconceive of a place like Stellina. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Stellina, in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Stellina (which means "Little Star" in Italian) is a secretly hidden little bar within the very popular Italian Restaurant Fortunato, but with its own entrance through a door on the right of the restaurant. Its only indication of its name is a small letter board behind one of its front windows, stating its name and hours of operation. This bar was constructed with reclaimed wood from the Old Crow distillery and opened in December of 2016. Since then its gain a reputation as the ideal spot for hand-crafted cocktails in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. It seats only about 20 people, with 7 at the bar. Not that long ago it gained recognition by being featured in the New York Post as one of the world's best small bars. All that I can tell you about this place doesn't do justice to the experience of visiting the place for the very first time. After stepping inside, I was mesmerized by the simple yet effective, elegance of the establishment, complimented by the beautifully dressed young lady, server/bartender. Her elegant style and mysterious personality contributed to the character and ambiance of this one-of-a-kind relaxing place. The very hospitable young lady welcomed me and handed me the drink menu, while asking me if I also planned to dine there. I answered in the affirmative and asked her if they had any Mocktails. To my surprise, she pointed out that one side of the Drinks Menu were all non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails, bottled mocktails, wine by the glass, and beers. I ordered one of the mocktails and by the end of my meal, I think I must have tried a few. She then brought me Fortunato's menu, and I ordered the Fritto Misto as appetizer and the Pork Milanese as my main entrée. I enjoyed both course immensely. A lady employee brought me the food from Fortunato's Restaurant through a door that led to the restroom area of Fortunato's Restaurant, pass the kitchen. For dessert, that Which I consider the "Grand Finale" of a wonderful fine dining experience, I ordered their Tiramisu and Hot Chocolate. They were absolutely mouthwatering. I highly recommend this place and can't wait to return in the near future.

My best friend Becca and I were looking for the perfect place to celebrate her 23rd birthday in…read moreRoanoke. We had originally settled on Fortunato's, but upon arrival at 6pm, the pleasant hostess had informed us that there was not a table available until 8:30. While she was seeing if there was space at the bar, another young woman said, "There's a table at Stellina!" We already knew that Stellina shared the same menu, so we were pleased to walk over there. A young man greeted us and said, "Sit wherever you like!" But there was only one table available. It was a great table, positioned by a window that let us see a glimpse of the city. Cocktail menus were already on our tables, and the young man asked if we wanted food menus as well. We said yes, and ordered The Obituary, a gin drink, a vodka drink that I cannot remember the name of, the house bread, Lumache a Forno, and Bucatini all'Arrabiatta. While waiting for our food, I got to admire the space. It was a small space decorated with a beautiful purple-lit wallpaper, christmas lights, and a colorful overhead light. The room was dark, but our table was tastefully lit with a small lamp. The wallpaper looked as if it had some floral print on it, but upon closer inspection, it was actually a collection of people's faces, which was charming. But perhaps the most striking element of this bar's atmosphere was the music. I immediately heard a trippy beat that was familiar to me, and upon shazaming it, found out it was Interia Creeps, by Massive Attack, one of my favorite 90s trip-hop bands. The music continued to impress me, and has inspired to start a spotify playlist called Stellina's Songs. Some of the standouts include: Army of Me - Bjork Never Let Me Down - Depeche Mode Lovesong - The Cure It's No Good - Depeche Mode The ambience of this dark, 90s music paired perfectly with the dark yet pleasant atmosphere of the restaurant. Our drinks were cold, our food was hot, and it was all quite delicious. I got to try both dishes and both drinks, and was perfectly satisfied. The gentleman that greeted us checked on us frequently, as well as another woman. Overall, the experience was classy and pleasant. The restaurant seemed popular among an older crowd. Nevertheless, this is a great place for anyone of any age to grab a drink or a bite to eat while feeling like an elegant member of society. This is truly a gem that Roanoke has to offer, and my experience could not have been greater.

I have been in many Sports Bars and Lounges, but none of them can compare to The Hangout, which I…read morevisited today for the very first time. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And The Hangout Sports Bar and Lounge in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located on Williamson Road, in the Hollins area of Roanoke, Virginia, The Hangout is a sports bar, restaurant, and lounge, with a casual, friendly, and lively atmosphere, offering a mix of food, drinks, and entertainment like pool tables, live music, and karaoke, among others. People gather there for lunch, for dinner, or just to have a drink or two as they spend some time chatting with their friends. I arrived around three o'clock to have a late lunch and visit the place for the first time. The bar was completely full with customers drinking and having fun conversations. Other customers were enjoying themselves playing pool on one of the many pool tables. During the day, customers are welcomed to play pool for free and in the evenings for a small fee. I walked over to the bar counter and asked the friendly bartender, Mitch, if they were still serving lunch and if I could seat at one of the booths. He told me they were and to go ahead and have a seat at the booth of my choice. Soon after he came by with the menu and took my drink order. I asked if he could make me a Piña Colada Mocktail and he did. It tasted amazing. Beside the regular menu they also had an All Day Specials menu for every day of the week from Monday through Friday. To dine I ordered a BBQ Burger from the regular menu. It was served with fries. Meanwhile everytime a customer came in, you could immediately tell he was a regular by the warm greeting he received from the bartender and other customers there. When my server/bartender brought my burger, it looked wonderful. Fresh burger buns with an all beef 1/3 lb burger, topped with white American cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, and onions. I poured some ketchup on it from a squeeze bottle by server had brought me and put on my table. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. My server introduced me to the owner of the place, Lori, a very warm and welcoming lady who opened this establishment in 2021and since then has made it a very popular place focusing on making it a casual environment and a fun spot where locals and visitors can socialize and have a good time. After all, its slogan, written under its front sign, states: "Good Food, Good People ... Great Times." Featuring a full bar, including draft beers, hard liquor and cocktails, quality comfort food at affordable prices, entertainment such as indoor and outdoor stages for bands to play live music, karaoke, and games like pool and cornhole, and a friendly crew to top it off, the only negative thing that I could find was tight parking, but at night customers can park on the parking lot of the business on their left and in a space across the street. I highly recommend this place for some good times and can't wait for the Spring and Summer to arrive to return with friends and enjoy all the creative things they have to offer.

Looks like MyNewHangout. Went originally to play billiards (complimentary until 17:00/5pm)…read more The manager, Lori Edwards, is very outgoing/socially energetic! Andrew the bartender was very proficient and friendly, along with a great, fun Karaoke DJ, Libby! I've also enjoyed excellent Salisbury steak, roast beef, and chicken tenders for lunch, and, I returned for karaoke & dinner. "Ambiance"; this place is relaxing/cozy/comfortable.

The buffet is always good and has enough food to please everyone's palate . Desserts are good as…read morewell .

I just attended a wedding here last night and couldn't get over how lovely it was! The staff was SO…read morenice, the grounds were beautiful, the food was awesome, LOVED the dance floor and how they still had the up lighting outside with the covered roof. The waterfall outside during cocktail hour was such a nice touch and so were the twinkle lights and beautiful benches that went from the ceremony to reception as the perfect places to sit and relax. I can't wait to see the photos from this wedding. Bravo to the entire team that made this happen and congratulations to the beautiful couple!

Great casual restaurant in the Hotel Roanoke. The lobby bar is also great and I had a terrific…read morecocktail there (Virginia Vardier, maybe?) with super service and a very chill vibe. This review will focus on the actual restaurant, where I had lunch with my husband and our friend. It was quiet the day we were there so we got a lot of personal attention. We started with unsweetened iced teas and then since we weren't starved, we ordered some appetizers to share. We had: -deviled eggs (good but the filling was too solid and cold...I like the yellow to be a little creamier and light); -fried cauliflower-the star of the show; it tasted almost like a sweet Korean fried chicken; -Butternut squash salad- also delicious, with nicely roasted butternut squash chunks and a really good dressing; -Pimento cheese dip- excellent dip served with toast. Pimento cheese isn't much of a thing in NYC where I live so I've been trying it every time I see it in Roanoke. We really liked everything we had and the service was so nice. The room itself is gorgeous and feels historic. I'm a fan.

Our server was Angela and she was a delight! We had the…read moreHearth Pumpkin salad & loved it. I had the Reuben (lotsa meat) with a side of mashed sweet potatoes that was awesome.. we fought over that. Virginia Ground Burger was tasty, it is grass fed so a bit gamey compared to grain fed in case you're not used to that. The fries were fine & the fry sauce was yummy!

Best pizza in the valley. Love it all!!! Very friendly staff. Comfortable ambiance. Our favorite…read morerestaurant for our night out.

A nice place for dinner after a long day on the road! The service and ambience was excellent! I…read moreappreciated that the bartender gave me a taste of two wines before committing to a glass. My husband enjoyed The Mediterranean Salad which was nice and fresh. I had the Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomatoes pizza and it was good and paired nicely with my glass of Rehmgotte Chenin Blanc.

Soumas on Shenandoah in Roanoke is one of those places that feels more like a neighborhood living…read moreroom than a "destination restaurant"--and that's exactly the point. Now run by the son, Mike Dean, it's got the same down-to-earth vibe that makes locals keep coming back. If you're looking for white tablecloths and quiet fine dining, this isn't your spot. But if you want a place where you can shoot a friendly game of pool, get treated like you belong, and eat food that tastes like it came straight out of your grandmother's kitchen, you've found it. Comfort food, good company, and no pretension--Soumas is a Roanoke classic done the right way.

I ordered a Philly cheesesteak and I didn't realize that it was going to be a ribeye on a bun…read moreliterally a steak, not chopped up on a bun! Don't get me wrong it was tender.Also it could've been bigger, for the price! The veggies all had the same taste like the pans were old or dirty. Will not be revisiting this restaurant again.!!

I love coming to sidewinders to dance! The food is delicious especially the Sidewinder fries!read more

It was a great time with the guys. Line dancing karaoke and line dancing. The food here is good as…read morewell would recommend

really solid bar food!…read more I love the vibe here and the atmosphere makes you want to stay awhile. Definitely a great local spot if you're looking for good bar food and a fun, relaxed place to grab a drink.

We visited the Yard Bird Tavern in downtown Roanoke. Finding a spot can be a bit of a gamble;…read moreunless you're lucky enough to snag a space at the curb, you should expect to pay for parking. ​Atmosphere & Menu ​Upon entering, we found the restaurant pleasantly sophisticated, though it was nearly at capacity. While we opted not to explore the drink menu, we were eager to see what the kitchen had to offer. The menu itself is concise, focusing primarily on wings, sandwiches, and pizzas, supplemented by a few small appetizers. ​The culinary style is quite eclectic. They feature several unconventional toppings and flavor combinations that might seem a bit eccentric at first glance. ​The Culinary Experience ​I decided on a flatbread-style pizza topped with: ​Smoked chicken ​Pickles ​Peppadew-style peppers (which resembled small cherry tomatoes) ​A tangy, zesty sauce reminiscent of an enchilada base with an extra "zing." ​My wife opted for a "build-your-own" pizza featuring red onions, pepperoni, and bell peppers. Although she realized too late that she had forgotten to request light sauce, she noticed the oversight immediately upon the dish's arrival. ​Service Observations ​The service was a bit of a mixed bag. Our waitress was professional but remarkably brisk. She lacked the usual pleasantries or "small talk" one might expect, focusing instead on efficiency. While her haste felt a bit impersonal, I couldn't complain about her attentiveness--she was incredibly prompt at refilling my iced tea the moment my glass was empty. Make sure you bring your pocketbook this pizza brings a sting at the register.