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The Lion's Den

4.4 (44 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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THE LION'S DEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Classy
DJ
Happy hour specials

Recommended Reviews - The Lion's Den

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Leah M.

I loved everything about this place the food, the ambience, and the people! While visiting my cousin in Richmond, my husband and I decided to stop here a little something for him to enjoy aside from me and my cousin chit chatting. She suggested this place said, it was a nice vibe and the food was really good. She was absolutely correct! This business is beautifully decorated. The staff is friendly and efficient. The customers were grown, sexy and engaging. A place where the boys can hang out together or when they feel like bringing a woman they can do that too or us girls. Just as long as you are grown no foolishness here. It's a great vibe, that kind of place! My cousin had the chicken and waffles. I didn't taste that chicken, but it smelled absolutely delicious and she loved it. And baby, those dry rub wings are the thing to get! My waffle was one of the best that I've had, a little firmness with flavor, the bacon was crisp without being burnt. I loved the pineapple mimosa. Kierra(sp) our server was excellent. You couldn't ask for anyone better. Even the Commanders fans were very gracious to us Philadelphia Eagle lovers. Would I go here again? Hell yeah, I may just make a trip just to go there!

Nola Egg Rolls (2) & Empanadas (2) & Crab and Shrimp Dip
Stephanie B.

Lions Den has a cool vibe, but don't go expecting great service, at least not during happy hour. The place has a strong cigar scent, which adds to the lounge atmosphere, but the service was frustrating. Our server was impossible to track down, barely checked on tables, and kept putting orders on the wrong ones. We had to chase her down just to get drinks, and even then, they weren't as good as they could have been since she was also bartending and clearly overwhelmed. Other tables seemed to get better service, so maybe it's hit or miss. The drinks were decent but nothing to rave about. The real highlight was the food. We ordered one of everything on the happy hour menu, and not a single complaint. Everything was flavorful, well-prepared, and worth ordering. My personal favorite was the NOLA egg rolls--absolutely delicious. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The crowd was fun and lively, but the music felt way too old-school for my taste. Early 90s and older, which gave off more of a retirement party vibe than a modern lounge feel. When they have live bands, though, the energy is much better. Overall, it's worth checking out, but if you actually want decent service, sit at the bar.

Lemon Drop
Dakiesh C.

This place is for the grown and sexy. I admire the ambience and the décor(interior and exterior). We were greeted and seated immediately. We chose outside because they were having an event that day and it was very packed inside. Tash was our waiter and she was fantastic with a lot energy that you can see from other guest there as well with us. While we waited another waitress served us water as we scoped the menu for food and drinks. We ordered 2 lemon drops which were delightful and very good (i ordered another round). For the entree i ordered the Bombay fried shrimp and Cesar salad and my friend the Salmon glaze entree. The food was amazingggg and very fresh. It did take a while for the food to arrive but again the place was packed. My food was soo good the party next to us ordered my exact meal and we were both pleased. 4 stars because the patio space is just too small for the waitress to serve and the guess to attempt to dance/ party. Plenty of parking Great vibes Casual attire great music Food 5/5 (need more options)

Chell H.

Vibes on vibes! Came here with a friend while visiting the area and it was a good time! We ordered a variety of food & drinks and they were all great! There was a live band there that had everyone singing & dancing. I'll definitely be back!

a glass of water and a bottle of water
Lisa G.

Attention, Northsiders. If you think you have to go outside of your neighborhood to get a great meal, you're mistaken. There is now great food in Northside, thanks to The Lion's Den. I stopped in at The Lion's Den for lunch and was pleasantly greeted by Desiree, who presented me with the drink and food menus. I asked for a prosecco. They didn't have any, but without missing a beat, she offered me an alternative (the name I can't remember). She allowed me first to taste it to see if it was to my liking since I mentioned that I preferred a dry sparkling wine. And it was. Bonus points for Desiree! I ordered the crab cakes with rice and sauteed vegetables, which were broccolini and green beans. I thought that was a strange combination, but when they came out, to my delight, they paired very well together, were perfectly cooked al dente, and seasoned very well. The crab cakes are ALL CRAB! No filler. Perfectly seasoned and topped with remoulade. The rice was light and fluffy. It is a simple meal--elegant in its simplicity, plated well and done right. Perfect portion size. Kudos to the chef, Jose! Right on cue, Desiree suggested a dessert (again I can't remember what she called it), which she described with enthusiasm, so how could I refuse? She presented the prettiest little personal bundt cake (warm) with ice cream, drizzle and strawberries. It was as good as she promised. I really have nothing bad to say about my visit. Desiree anticipated my every need before I could even ask and gave me excellent service throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch to the backdrop of old school R&B playing in the background and a richly designed decor (check out the gold velvet fabric on the sofa). Things to note: (1) this is an intimate space, so if you want to enjoy a meal at peak time, you definitely want to make a reservation, and (2) this IS a cigar lounge. So, if you're not into cigars or smoke, then you can still come and enjoy your meal on the patio. I'm not into cigars OR smoke, but when I was there for lunch, didn't really have to contend with either even though I sat inside. They must have an amazing air purification system. Since I don't do cigars, I didn't really check out the other spaces for the cigar connoisseurs--a walk-in humidour with lockers and small private lounge area for members. (3) I was in for lunch. I understand the vibe is much livelier at night and on weekends, as they often have live entertainment. There is plenty of parking in their lot and off-street, and I understand they often have live music on weekends. Go and enjoy Northside's newest hot spot! You won't be disappointed in the service, food or atmosphere! Located right next to Tabol Brewing.

HH Old Fashioned

The decor and ambiance along with the lighting was a cozy dining experience. The fried oysters were crispy and accompanied by a remoulade sauce with blue cheese. The drinks were delicious! The restrooms were clean and impeccable!

;)
Private B.

It is beautiful inside. Very updated decor... the brunch food was delicious. The DJ was nice. The bartender really knows how to make mixed drinks. I enjoyed my visit. Food ordered: Shrimp and grits, French toast

Cognac Pasta with Salmon
Emily K.

The food is great and the band is top notch. I had the salmon Alfredo pasta and wings. Service was decent. They were very busy and the staff was being pulled in multiple directions, but they were attentive. If you have even the slightest concern with smoking you may want to rethink this. I read a lot of reviews beforehand and thought there were areas that you could get away from the smoking. That's partially true. There is an outdoor area, but it keeps you from hearing the live band inside the restaurant. Also, it's only good if no one around you is smoking. As soon as someone else comes out with cigars, etc. it's over lol. I would highly recommend making a reservation to ensure you can sit inside to hear the band, if that is your preference.

Menu
James M.

It's an absolute gem of a cigar lounge! Every visit is a treat for the senses, from the superb signature cocktails to the delectable food options. The elegant ambiance sets the stage for relaxation. They have an excellent selection of cigars and occasional live bands, adding to the atmosphere; it's the perfect spot for unwinding and indulging in the finer things in life.

Bringing in 224
Deidra M.

Brought in the new year 224 my friends and I had great time. Great atmosphere great DJ, adult crowd. I've never been to cigar bar before this was definitely a new experience.

Aric P.

Absolutely an amazing cigar lounge. The owner and employees are exceptional in what they do and the food was amazing. They have a GREAT selection of cigars for your choosing. S/N the bathroom were emasculate and the ambiance in the lounge was on point.

a man sitting at the bar

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1 month ago

Service is trash you will wait 15 min. They only have two ladies working during the day, taking orders and cigars. This constant

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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11 months ago

This is a very classy and laid back spot. You need to like cigar smoke because it is a cigar bar / restaurant.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

The atmosphere is cozy... a lot of smoke and not a lot of room to sit and mingle... it's a tight little hangout spot.

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

The shrimp and grits are AMAZING!!!! I highly recommend. The decor and atmosphere is nice The service is great as well.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

The vibe was nice, but it was over crowded. No where to sit. I couldn't order food because I couldn't get a seat.

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Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - The Lion's Den

The Emerald Lounge - Bar Area!

The Emerald Lounge

4.3(69 reviews)
2.3 mi•Church Hill
•$$

My date and I had never been here before and had the most amazing experience. The drinks? 10/10…read more.. the service 10/10... the ambiance? 20/10!! The patio outside was really cute and cozy, the various seating areas is really great because you get a different feel from different angles. Our server recommended a Mexican lager.. it was SO GOOD! Try the lager!! My only gripe, the downtempo music changed to club music around 12am and got much louder. My date and I had to raise our voices to continue our conversation, we wanted to take our drinks outside but were told the patio closes at 11 :( We got lucky as the crowd was really thin but most weekends our server said it gets packed.. it's such a small place, I can't imagine what it would be like with 100 people inside!!

Not sure what this place thinks they are but it's not a 2026 customer service award contestant…read more Open the door for an elderly couple to leave and was literally yelled at to close the door, like the hostess almost physically accosted me to close the door. Yes, it's hot outside but c'mon, will the entire clientale die within 30 seconds of heatstroke? Fine, no worries, let it pass, walk in just wanting to grab a quick drink at the bar, AGAIN, accosted by the hostess that DEMANDS that I go back to her command center to talk to her, whereupon she really happily informs me that I can't even stand at the bar to have a drink and she would reluctantly put me on the bar waiting list which would be a minimum of one and a half hours... to grab a drink at the bar. tldr; AVOID unless of course, you love being judged at a low rent tiki bar...

Photos
The Emerald Lounge - It's Electric - be careful, it is strong!

It's Electric - be careful, it is strong!

The Emerald Lounge - Inside

Inside

The Emerald Lounge - Spring Fling

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Spring Fling

Lillian - Lobstahh

Lillian

4.6(48 reviews)
1.6 mi•Scott's Addition

if you are going to read any of these dumb yelp review in full, this is the one…read more i once read an article describing the talent of the head chef's ability here to "cram so much bold flavor into a tiny dish". in general, i usually dread small plate restaurants expecting to pay a large bill and leave hungry. this was the exception. these were the most unique, creative, high end, flavorful, dishes i have ever had. seriously. the absolute best BITES of my ENTIRE life. i swear to god dormant tastebuds and flavors i didn't even know existed were provided here. the chef here draws spanish inspiration into each dish, and i was in there feeling like the food critic from ratatouille the way familiar flavors blended in effortlessly with extravagant flairs. and don't get me started on the presentation !!! everything was gorgeous. this restaurant was named #3 out of 100 in the city, and i honestly think it should be #1. i may be biased since my boyfriend works at a sister restaurant owned by the same guy, but this is definitely the favorite sibling for me. unreal how fresh, flavorful, and carefully crafted everything was. so so so so good. if you come to richmond, make this the top priority to visit. that being said, if you can't handle intense, innovative flavors, this isn't the place for you. also, go during happy hour

Hats off to the staff at Lillian who continue to be wonderful, but now that they have scrapped…read moretheir dollar oyster lunch specials, the food has absolutely nothing to offer. Like too many restaurants in the Scott's Addition area, this is seafood cooked without finesse and then absolutely brutalized with absurd amounts of palate fatiguing, brash, loud flavors. Every item on the menu endeavors to conceal mediocrity in the quality and handling of the ingredients with explosive, overwhelming additives meant to shock you into submission. Things like black garlic and chili oil, raw garlic, sesame seed oil, and punishing heat are inescapable on the menu, which really says to me loud and clear "we do not understand the appeal of seafood, and might have a fundamental misunderstanding about good food in general." I don't exaggerate when I say these dishes would be improved (setting aside things like inability to properly cook octopus) by scaling back the flavors to 5-10% the loudness level they are currently at, to let the ingredients speak, and to make the dining experience less of a punishing marathon with no relief. I have had much subtler and more skillfully balanced dishes at Indian and Thai restaurants, cuisines known for strong flavor profiles. I'm through listening to these Richmond restaurants trying to excuse simply bad food by claiming "that's the nature of the cuisine." In this case, Lillian claims that dishes characterized by these cacophonous competing flavors is "South American." No it isn't - the person conceptualizing the dishes is just a bad chef who doesn't know what he's doing, and at the prices Lillian charges, that's inexcusable. Drowning every dish in flavors that overwhelm the palate is not a way to respect your ingredients or your diner, and only communicates youth and insecurity. Anyone who's eaten widely and knows their ingredients will rightly feel assaulted and insulted by this overpriced, unskilled fare. To anyone who decides to go anyway: Good luck with the digestive distress, and with the taste that will still be left over in your mouth the next morning, no matter how much you brush your teeth.

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Lillian - Seafood Tower

Seafood Tower

Lillian - Banana dessert

Banana dessert

Lillian - Miller high life with Aperol

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Miller high life with Aperol

Grandstaff & Stein

Grandstaff & Stein

4.1(351 reviews)
2.4 mi•Shockoe Bottom
•$$

What a cool spot! We always seek out speakeasy venues and this one does not disappoint! My steak…read morewas prepared perfectly, the drinks were generous and timely, and the service was prompt!

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.

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Grandstaff & Stein - Atmosphere and large table

Atmosphere and large table

Grandstaff & Stein - Baked Brie

Baked Brie

Grandstaff & Stein - Hidden bookshelf door

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Hidden bookshelf door

The Lion's Den - cigarbars - Updated October 2026

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