University of Richmond
- Nightlife

BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon

The best place in the city to dance; always packed on Friday and Saturday nights. There are rooms to rent for private parties and three bars to belly up to (the main bar is usually very crowded). The coolest part about BlackFinn is that they play great music with videos to go along with them on the big screens situated all around the bar.

Have A Nice Day Café

Thursdays are ladies’ night and are always crowded. This three-story club features a bar on the first floor, top 40 music throughout the dance club on the second floor, and hip hop and trance music on the third floor. Wednesdays are college nights, and even underage students are allowed in with a cover.

The Tobacco Company

This upscale steak house turns into a fun club at night. They have a dance floor located across from the bar and tables with a “Las-Vegas feel” in the atmosphere. The entrance is separate from the restaurant’s, and the club is underground.

Baja Bean Company

The second most popular off-campus bar for UR students (behind Potter’s)—it is the place to be on Thursday nights. The building is huge and features an outdoor deck, pool room, and an indoor and outdoor bar. Most nights, it is full to capacity.

Bottom’s Up Pizza

Located in the middle of the bar district, the bar is large and never all that crowded, and you are guaranteed a good time. There’s an outdoor deck with a view of the train station, as well as live music and karaoke nights.

The Doghouse

One of Richmond’s shadier bars, the Doghouse is a favorite because of the cheap booze and the televisions all over the bar. It can be a bit sketchy, and there are rarely that many women, but it is a great place to stop in and throw back a few dollar bottles with the boys before heading to another bar down the street.

Richbrau Brewing Company

Richbrau is a microbrewery offering a wide assortment of hand-brewed beers, but also has a great restaurant. Dress to impress, the bar can get very crowded, and it is usually an older, upper-20s scene. There are a bunch of pool tables and the music is top 40.

Starlite Lounge

Just like 3 Monkeys---you can usually see friends at both venues, as they are right across the street from each other! Again, good music, relaxing place to grab a beer.

Three Monkeys Bar & Grill

This is a casual place to grab drinks with friends, listen to music, and relax on the weekends. The atmosphere is dark and cozy in the winter and there is a great porch for summertime hanging out. Perk: They have amazing cheese fries.

Tiki Bob’s Cantina

Your best bet with Tiki Bob’s is to visit on Tuesday nights when you can buy all the tacos you want for 10 cents apiece and beers go for a quarter. It’s a bit of a mixed crowd, but the music is top 40, and is geared toward college students. Live bands occasionally play. Tiki’s is tough on fake IDs, so only go if you really are 21.

Most of the clubs will let you in, but you have to pay a cover charge. Also, count on the Row and apartment parties.