Gonna be a long one but a 1 star deserves an explanation - Went for Friday beers and banjos two weeks ago. My gf paid for a reserved table. When arriving no one was a the host stand to direct us to our table and the only person in Camel gear said he was a sound tech and couldn't help. Went back to the bar side and told the bartender our table number, he advised which table it was. There were several of us trying to get this sorted let me add Finally seated we had the same bartender come over to ask for orders. I inquired about the HH food specials that are posted at the bar Sun-Fri 3-7. The guy tells me they don't do HH on fridays. Ok... so he leaves while we browse the menu. Then another worker comes over and says sorry we double booked your table, you can't sit here. He also said, this happens all the time!! Maybe fix your system if it's an often occurrence. Yes a refund was issued but at this point the place is full, bar and all bar tables. So we stand with our drinks (3 of us) and hover by the bar looking for an opening so we can order food bc we're starving. Luckily in mins a table opens up. We sit down and wait and wait and wait. So I go to ask if there's table service or if we should order at the bar. No, there's table service. Finally the guy comes over takes our order for food. At this point from getting there to ordering it's been an hour and we are starving. We order the quesadilla, bbq tacos and cheesesteak. This takes another 45 mins.. ugh Food comes and isn't great. Tacos are super doused in bbq sauce and cheesesteak was bland. My gf is not a picky eater and she only ate one bite. The quesadilla seemed to be alright by her mom's standards. We finally get the bill, put out the card but the guy doesn't come back. My gf takes card to the bar to pay. Person 1 hands it to person 2, gf is standing there waiting to pay- never gets the bill/card back. Then person 2 asks my gf, what can I get you to drink. She says I'm trying to pay my bill, person 1 just gave it to you. Person 2 says, I don't have your card. Minutes later they determine she put it in front of another patron. Overall terrible experience. I'd still go back for a show. One that's standing room only read more

This establishment was super small on the outside but extremely large on the inside. I went for a show and it was very well organized. The band they had , The Moment, was amazing! If I'm ever in the area, I will be returning to try the food and drinks. read more

I went to the Trapcry and Girlspit show Saturday night and had an amazing time. I've been wanting to come to this venue for a long time now and was excited to finally check it out. It's an incredible spot! There is a flattering soft light in the venue and it's really clean. There was a lot of space so it didn't feel like it got too crowded. Cover was $15 for the show. I love the aesthetic of this space. The art up on the walls is a nice touch. Ordering a drink at the bar doesn't take too long. The service was good. I ordered a PBR for about $4. You're able to go outside and come back in if you want (they stamp your hand when you buy the ticket). I loved how close it was to a bus stop. I highly recommend coming for a show here. read more

The Camel - Trapcry - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

THE best place to hear the best of the best for local music in RVA. So many numerous bands local and traveling through have graced this stage . You never knkw who you will catch here that will go on yo do great things. Top notch sound, good food, diverse beer selection. It's cozy and spread out simultaneously. Every time I have been here I've heard some amazing sets and discovered so many new bands that I still adore today. read more

I had a wonderful night here! Was playing a rock and roll show, and the hospitality was unmatched. The music venue portion was very well-run and sounded great. The food was great. I had a chicken caesar wrap with french fries and then later enjoyed a passionfruit guava cider. A great place to hang out! read more

Paid for my son to see a show at The Camel on Monday, August 8th, 2022. He was denied entry based on the fact he is 15. The website states that all ages shows are Sun-Thursday. No mention anywhere of the requirement to have a parent with anyone under 16. I'm out twenty bucks for the tickets, 15 bucks for gas, and my son was disappointed. Thanks Camel!! Go Hump yourself! read more

The Camel - Website mentions no requirement for under 16 to have an adult. - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Went to hear the fabulous Mackenzie Roark sing. Great show. I sat at the bar. It was pretty crowded but nonetheless the bartender was a pro. Everybody got great service. I had a sausage appetizer. Delicious and reasonably priced. I recommend The Camel , go , enjoy. read more

The Camel is one of my favorite places to see a show, the space is intimate, you get to interact with the bands. The staff are top notch in terms of friendliness and professionalism. I found the prices reasonable, though I did not eat the menu looks pretty good. read more

First time at this place! Always drove by it on Broad never thinking twice about it because I'd always just see people outside smoking or drinking so I assumed it was a bar of some sort. Decided to come check it out for Burger Week because their options sounded really good. Went in around 7 and it was packed. There was a band there playing some awesome music and folks were dancing and having a great time. It's a seat yourself situation so we creepily hung around this one table where a couple were paying their bill. Took a look at the drink menu while we were waiting and it's pretty extensive. It also seems like they have a decent happy hour that ends at 7 which was unfortunate for us. Ordered an IPA for 5 bucks and it was really good. Waitress got our order within 10 minutes. I went for the drunken burger with a side of sweet potato fries while one of my friends got regular fries and another got a side of spinach (healthy guy). Burger came with a fried jalapeño Mac and cheese topping. It was delicious and hit the spot. Sweet potato fries were also good and the marinara like sauce they came with was nice. Friend got the black bean version of the burger which has a thick patty and he enjoyed it. Overall would say it was a good experience. Interested in coming back and trying one of their regular entrees and checking out the happy hour deals. Thanks to Burger Week for helping us discover this place! read more

The Camel - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

So this was difficult to review. I came here for a show, but had a ton of time to kill. So the bar gets 3 stars. They have a solid list of beers and the bartenders were able to make good, strong mixed drinks. At first I thought the one bartender I had was a bit of a dick, but I soon realized that was just his resting face. Once dude and I started talking about beers that we liked, it was on and popping and kept those drinks coming! Now if you're here for a show, unless it's like spoken word or just an acoustic guitar set, I'd recommend staying in the bar OR bringing ear plugs. My ear drums almost exploded. They don't believe in scooping ANY frequencies in the 8k range out (audio engineering speak). In layman's terms...it be loud, son! My ears rang all the way back from Richmond. But I still enjoyed the show since it was my 5th favorite band that's still alive of all time. So I say all that to say this...I'd be hesitant to come back here for a show, unless I'm paid to run the sound for it, but I'd definitely come back for a beer or two. I love the dive bar feel of this place. It's not pretentious and doesn't pretend to be, and for that I can get behind The Camel. read more

Great bar staff, great food, and a great venue. I always know that a show at The Camel is going to be good and I'll show up early for dinner. Love this place!! read more

My first non-hotel stop during my weekend in Richmond, and it was a vibrant and colorful live music bar that featured an impressive brews, a better than decent food menu, and an eclectic mix of local and traveling musicians on a daily basis. And while I can only give 4 stars for now as I was an outsider looking in and grabbing a sample, I can easily acknowledge it as being everything I look for in a solid local music bar. After walking through an endless portion of open chain stores and local businesses that closed during wonky hours (the one and only thing I couldn't figure out during my first experience of Richmond), My partner in adventure and I were instantly drawn to the sound of live bluegrass, stained glass windows that resembled elaborate tattoo art, and the steel camel sign that instantly made the place stand out. And upon entry we were instantly welcomed by the warm servers and 15-20 taps of brew that were ready for indulgence. the only flaw I could give to such a number of taps was that there were no mention of what they were on a menu or wall. But they did yield plenty of something for everybody; including plenty of local drafts, imports and well known craft brews; and NattyBo and a coupled special taps for those who were looking to drink on the cheap. Walking in around 7:30pm led to a free bluegrass/folk music session to enjoy, but you could also see a couple of young indie/alt bands getting ready to setup for the evening and live it up for on stage. To give an idea to the Philly Phaithful I'd consider it a cross between an old school Tritone meets Khyber of yesteryear. AKA a strong eclectic stage that gave everyone a chance to play on it, while offering good acoustics. Combine all of the above and the Camel is an instant destination when and if I'm ever in Richmond again. read more

I know the Camel to be a hot music venue, and for that, it probably deserves five stars for promoting "underground" talent alone. It is also a home for the James River Writers, which had an event with the Richmond International Film Festival last week that was a triumph. So, as a person attending events at the Camel for entertainment, you'll probably have a five star experience. Unfortunately, booking events and getting what you agreed upon isn't always seamless, so just be sure if you do, you have your i's dotted and t's crossed. Food wise, it's a bar. Don't expect much. Mostly local beers on tap, which is also good for the local businesses, and good for you if you can find something you like. I ended up with something in a bottle. Bartenders are friendly and fast. In short, come here for the music. read more

First night at The Camel, and I really enjoyed myself. I can't say I went for the food, I went for the live music and the drinks. Also thought it was still $5 Burger Week, because of a discrepancy in the website, so I guess I did go for food... $5 Burger Week is what introduced me to The Camel. My boyfriend got a burger and he said it was good. Only complaint was that it was cooked to medium vs. medium-rare. I didn't try it, but I tasted the sweet potato fries and they were delicious. His meal was also presented very well. I ordered a Caprese Salad + added chicken, and was expecting chunks of mozzarella. It was a good looking salad, presented very beautifully and I enjoyed it, just not what I had in mind when I think of caprese salad. There was very minimal mozzarella (and I was craving mozzarella hard), just a few sprinkles of shredded cheese. (I accidentally deleted the photo while making room on my phone). So just keep that in mind when ordering (maybe request chunks vs shreds). Like I said, I didn't go for the food, so it really wasn't a huge deal. Service was nice, we enjoyed our time, the extensive choice in beers, clean restrooms, live music (local and out of towners) made up for any small issues with our meal -- we will definitely be back! read more

The Camel - Burger + with a peak of salad in the back + added chicken. - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

If you eat here, get the burger. It has an egg, some havarti cheese, and there's a bunch of garlic and spices mixed into the beef. Also it's really big. I picked it up and found I couldn't converse with anyone until it was done. The potatoes were good, a little undercooked, but who cares. It's probably one of my top 10 burgers. I'm looking forward to another Stay Sweet Fest, but really I'm looking forward to that burger again. Beer selection is good too, staff are nice as well. read more

The Camel - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

When we first arrived it took a few mins for a waitress to get our drink orders- or even water being brought to us. It was pretty dark inside and local artists were on stage performing. My friend and I ordered our food. I got the chicken and waffles which was pretty good. The only thing that I would change for the next time I go- would to ask for the syrup on the side. The waffles were soggy and too sweet, but that was my fault for not thinking through. The other order was caprese Benedict. It was good but needed a wee bit of salt. Otherwise a good place to support local bands. A very chill atmosphere. read more

The Camel - Caprese Benedict - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

After several nights of "rocking" in Penn and DC, my band made our way to Richmond to play The Camel. The bandmates I rode to Richmond with had been talking in depth about the different chain restaurants and subpar service we typically get. Hmm..sounds like we are sort of a snobby band...LOL Nonetheless, when we arrived at The Camel we eagerly wanted to check out the venue. The stage and sound were awesome.The icing on the cake is that the menu and bar had a great selection. I ordered a Veggie Panini with salad. The other two bandmates ordered a sausage sandwich and a pesto chicken sandwich. The food was amazing. I often order veggie panini's from Tonic in DC and Cosi. However they tend to be a bit greasy. That wasn't the case at this restaurant. The wait staff was awesome, and they poured a large tequila shot for me. Yum I will definitely go back again. read more

The Camel - The Camel - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I cannot say enough great things about The Camel and the beautiful souls that keep it running. In a nutshell, their food is so tasty (if you haven't had their Sausage Stars then you still have a box to check to become a true Richmonder), they showcase a variety of Live music and art on a daily basis, and their staff are some of the most polite and incredibly heartfelt people you'll ever encounter. They run this establishment proudly employee-owned, and do it well. The Camel has been a part of my life since I first starting venturing into Richmond in my 20s and a part of my husband's life for even longer while playing residency shows there. We call them family and even got engaged on their lovely patio. We hoped to have them cater our wedding in 2020, but alas we downsized tremendously due to the circumstances. It's important to note that they were extremely forgiving and helpful during such a chaotic and saddened time for us, and even helped us still celebrate in a special way so we could include them in our big day. If you have any events coming up, I'd highly recommend them for your catering needs (Talk to Georgia she's the best!). Whether you need to grab a quick drink on their patio and unwind, indulge in a bowl of Havarti Mac, or let loose to some good live tunes, you will always be greeted with a smile and good conversation at The Camel. It's by far our fave watering hole in the city! read more

The fish and chips were awful. They were over fried on the outside, but doughy batter on the inside still because the batter was so thick. The result was they tasted like flour. There wasn't a hint of salt, pepper or seasoning - just flour. Couldn't even eat they were so bad. The chicken and waffles weren't good either. The waffle itself was excellent. The chicken again no seasoning, very bland. The steak and cheese was also bland and just boring. The burger was mediocre at best. Maybe this was because of the pandemic and they are off their game? So I'll give them another chance. But our entire meal was just not good. read more

The food and drink specials here are great. The menu is diverse and the daily entertainment is eclectic and fun! My favorite dishes are veg or seafood options, but my brunch favorite is the Bayside Beni. Cheap MIMOSAAAAAAAS and bloody Mary options. read more

The Camel - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I came to support an artist who was performing at this venue and I brought them Throatcoat (a tea that singers use before they perform). No drinks are allowed inside which I didn't know but one of the employees told me that I had to pour it out. I was frustrated because it's expensive but I respected their policy. About an hour later a member of their staff came and snatched the EMPTY cup off of my table and denied giving the expensive to go mug back to me. SO.. don't bring a drink or anything that a drink could go in. Or better yet, don't even go at all. read more

So happy to have found this place! After moving from Colorado I was convinced I would never find good beer again! We went early on a Sunday so we were the only customers there. It was great! I love a comfortable bar when you spend most of the time talking to the bartender and cook like they're old friends. The Camel offers a ton of beer on tap. I ordered the beer flights Virginia Play and the Pumpkin Play. Finally!! A place in VA with good beer! We ordered the Southwest burger and the Creole burger (black bean). Both were delish. Unfortunately we went too early and didn't get to hear any live music so that was a bummer. If you're in the area, you can't go wrong grabbing a beer here! read more

The Camel - Bring on the flights!! Virginia Beer and Pumpkin!!! - Music Venues Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

Great music venue. Two women's bathrooms (THANK YOU) great service, and well made drinks. Told the bartender I was cutting calories by drinking vodka and soda but hated them because they were tasteless and she offered to squeeze a half a lime into each of me and my friend's drinks. Very nice of her and it did taste much better! Didn't have a chance to try food but saw some of it. Super nice people sitting next to me told me their fried macaroni and cheese balls were awesome. They looked awesome so maybe I'll try their food when I come back. I will definitely return! read more

The beer was cold was the only good thing about this place. Service was the worst for a date night with the wife. Got one beer each and then sat down at a table. We sat there for over 30 minutes and no one came up to us asking about ordering more beer or food. Worst part was that I asked what was recommended to eat and they still did not check on us. This ruined our evening and will never go back. read more

I have been here multiple times to watch bands play. I have never had food here, just drinks and to watch the concert. The bar is set up pretty well with an area for the band and plenty of room for dancing, walking around and talking, as well as seating, while the bar side has plenty of room as well and is pretty clean too. The beer choices are on par with other bars of this type and the drinks seems to be pretty easy to get and the bartender is pretty attentive. I will try food the next time I come in and possibly update my review. Overall the experiences I have had here have been fine and the atmosphere is enjoyable and just a good place to come hang out and chill. read more

I've only been here once with a friend, but it was a great experience! Great prices and drinks I especially love any where that has a live band, and that night there was some pretty great live music. The outside patio is a plus, it was a great summer night so it was perfect! Definetly coming back soon! read more

Good music, good food. Portions are very generous, food is good quality and reasonably priced. Had the fish and chips and it was real, not previously frozen, fish on a mountain of fries. Happy hour is an awesome deal too with $3 drafts! Watch the calendar for free happy hour Blues Fridays! read more

The Camel is a top-notch small venue for live music. Locally owned and operated, the owners have created a most welcoming bar/restaurant atmosphere showcasing a diverse array of bands. Over the years the owners have been supportive of the RCBS - River City Blues Society, have showcased numerous established bands, and have also provided local budding young musicians with the opportunity to perform on stage in front of a live audience. Over the years I have noted the Camel's support of visual artists as well as musical artists. The artwork featured on the walls has been as varied as the genres of the bands performing on the stage. Additionally, the Camel's food is delicious. The menu offers many options and the havarti & mushroom burger is the best burger I have ever eaten, hands down. Beer from local craft breweries is available on tap. Waitstaff is attentive and takes the time to get to know the repeat customers. My husband and I have seen countless quality shows and have eaten many a delicious meal at the Camel. To the Camel owners and staff: we appreciate all that you do to make this a most enjoyable venue. read more

I can't believe I have just now checked in to the Camel. Shows you just how often I go... Now, it's not that the Camel is a bad venue. Far from! It's just sort of shoddy in comparison to some of the other venues in town. The stage is very small, and the concert "space" is basically the other side of the bar. What is sort of neat is that they have live music EVERY NIGHT. While some people may think that's a good thing, I guess I prefer quality over quantity. Not that there aren't some great bands that play here (last night we saw Beach Slang), but over the last three years, there just haven't been as many. I don't know, maybe my tastes have changed. The food is great, they have a lot of beer, and the staff is pretty friendly. Check it out if one of your favorite bands comes through. B read more

Love this place. First of all, this is an ideal place for a first date. You can test a lot of personality traits here, like taste in music, alcohol tendencies, and culinary gusto. This is one of the best venues in town, and always has something going on. Went to see That1Guy last night, loved it as always. They pour a strong drink, and have a great selection of beers. The owner is usually there, making sure everyone is having a good time. Fairly decent sound quality for the divey feel of the place. P.S. the food is not really an afterthought like it is in the review. Its all simple bar food, just done well and correctly. Like I said, please please utilize this as a date spot. read more

The Camel rocks! My past review was positive, but I went there again last night with some people who hadn't been there before and it reminded me what a special thing we've got going here. I love the layout of the place. I love the secret bathroom around the corner from the others. I love that they keep the Red Stripe flowing, with lots of other choices for cheap, delicious beer. I love the stage. I love the band side door that everyone uses when it's unlocked. AND I LOVE NO COVERS! ;) If you can, play a show here and receive half off drinks and food all night. I got a different sandwich this time (chicken roasted garlic?) and the garlic aioli was damn tasty. The crust on my sourdough was a bit hard but I ended up eating it like french fries after I tore it off my sandwich. The bartenders are good at being responsive, and will come and tap you on the shoulder when your food is ready. One of them even came by the wooden booth I was sitting in when I was eating and asked how my food was. Such service! Street parking only, though across the street in front of Lowe's always seems to be empty so its almost like they have a makeshift parking lot. :) read more

My cheap skate spidey sense tingles on the expensive side here. The Camel has a high and mighty beer list, but their clientele are usually the PBR and got-my-flask-down-my-pants type. No, seriously when I go here I'm compelled to carry my flask in my pants to help offset the booze bill at the end of the night. Yes, even when I'm the stone sober DD. But somehow despite the stage that is merely 3 inches taller than the rest of the dining room floor and tables that are always in the way of the standing crowd, this place gets some decent acts. The music area has a terrible reverberation problem and probably needs some actual sound absorbing material in there. It makes a lot of bands sound like that terrible band that played at your prom, if you were so [un]lucky. The cover charge is usually pretty cheap, which is probably subsidized by the slight price bump in refreshments. And just be aware that it isn't unusual for someone to come running into the place yelling about parking across the street. DO NOT PARK IN THE LOT ACROSS THE STREET. (Unless you have a crush on the guy/gal at the impound lot.) I'm sure the poor staff here are tired of hearing about how your ride was towed the last time you were here. All in all it's a very Richmond place to go, have a few beers, some warm booze that your crotch has been keeping nice and toasty, and lose some hearing to the latest and greatest sounds that RVA has to offer. read more

Amazing Live Music Venue for the Wombats I came here to see the Wombats. A week before, I couldn't get into their set at Bumbershoot because more than 500 people had already filled the venue and hundreds more were still in line. At the Camel, I didn't have to deal with any such crowd. 30 people filled the venue twice the size of a living room. The show was the most intimate I've seen out of 50+ shows that I've been to. Their weren't even able to leave before their encore, so instead just hit behind their equipment and reappeared. Unforgettable. read more

I have been going to The Camel for a few years now as my favorite small music venue in Richmond. I have seen some of the best shows there. The sound is great, the crowd is fun, the acts they get are awesome. Recently i started eating there prior to the show and i was pleasantly surprised. I thought they would just have run of the mill bar food. I was floored when i ordered the vegan risotto with mushrooms. It was so creamy and delicious i wanted to lick my plate when i was done (don't worry i restrained myself). I have also really started enjoying beer in the last year or two and they ALWAYS have something my picky pallet enjoys. I prefer darker heavier beer (and local when I can get it) so finding a bar that always has something to my liking on tap is great. They always have Hardywood. Add in the knowledgable and friendly bartenders (Colin is a doll) and the charming door guys and this is a great place to spend an evening! read more

The Camel is defiantly been one of my favorite spots in Richmond to see local music. I have been going to the Camel for years. The appreciation for supporting local music and underground bands really has no equal in Richmond, Va. Seven nights a week with bands or live music! There is always something going on nightly, and your bound to have a good time at the bar. I love how much they have grown in the past few years, Rand has done a great job of making The Camel better every year. The menu and food has grown creatively and has some awesome food and local pub grub. They have taken time to have local favorites like sweet potatoes fries with blue cheese (I LOVE), and they have many veggie options for the local vegans & veggies. The offering of over 28 beers tap is exceptional for any place, much less a place with live music. Dedication to the local brews and craft brews always goes a long way to making me happy. So its often a good place to just stop in for a amazing selection of beer. LIVE MUSIC & GREAT BEER SELECTION - what else do you need? Oh, also check out the artist on the wall. They also do a great job of supporting the local artists and showing some really underground great work. read more

pros: Whoever's idea it was to serve the lamb sandwich -- what an idea. I can't believe what a bargain it was, something like under 10 bucks. For a hearty sandwich. With lamb! Give that Camel a medal. cons: I didn't exactly love the space. The side where the stage is had completely bare walls. I dunno if it's just that they're redecorating, but, either way, they need some paintings up there. Something. Maybe sandwich serving medals. overall: Pretty good place for a smallish, intimate show. There's enough space on the other side for ppl at the bar or ppl sitting down to eat. Show or not, I wouldn't mind coming back here to hang out and stuff my face. read more

Such a great, intimate spot for taking in a show. I've been here a few times, most recently for a band showcase early in the evening. There wasn't much of a crowd at all, so it was a very different experience from my previous late-night packed visits. This time, I actually engaged in conversations with friends, whereas usually it's a lot of dancing and a little yelling. No matter when you go, the bartenders are super friendly, and the beer list is pretty darn extensive. If you're looking to catch some local tunes in a relaxed, but upbeat atmosphere, The Camel is a great choice! True, parking can sometimes be tricky... but that's just par for the course in an urban area. Just be patient, drive around, and you'll usually find street parking. read more

I went to brunch for the first time on a Sunday and they had a live band. The chicken & waffles was okay I wasn't a fan of the cheese sauce they used but I would definitely recommend them for brunch! read more

The Camel is my go-to bar in RVA! Good music, good crowd, nice environment, attentive bartenders, tastey food, and GREAT beer menu! If you ever need something to do and want to see local or touring bands play, you should ALWAYS check The Camel's events page. They have EVERY style of music rotating daily and there is always something upcoming for everyone! Surprisingly enough, I have seen some of my favorite shows here! They truly are proud advocates for local art and music talent! The environment is clean, candle-lit, current and cozy. Local artists showcase their art on the walls. There are booths and tables, a nice large bar, and an outdoor patio. The crowd is great! Many different kinds of people, lots of musicians or supporters of! My favorite place to play a show in Richmond! :) Thank you for so many fun times!!!! You will forever be my first choice!!!!!! read more

Firstly, the stars are for the food. I recently came here for a show ( which was great) the service was chill and prompt, the staff was nice, the drinks were cold and not watered down. But the food was very bland....I don't have high expectation for bar food but...have you ever bitten into something that literally barely tasted like anything at all? yeah that was my na'an pizza...the presentation was fine, everything seemed/looked freshly made there just wasn't any seasoning on anything, the chicken (I had the bacon ranch pizza) tasted like it was frozen and thawed (that watery nothingness taste). The cheese fries were a pinch better but not much. Would I come here again? absolutely, would I order food here again?...maybe...it could've been an off night ( it was a sunday evening) who knows....just wasn't digging the lack of flavor. read more