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Eat Beat: Wi-Fi Hotspots

Technology does strange things to people.

In the late '90s and early part of the 2000s, cell phones were going mainstream. What was once a tool reserved for businessmen and the wealthy became everyone's favorite in-case-of-emergency accessory. And it was only a matter of time before the criticism started.

Cell phone etiquette dictated, according to Miss Manners and everyone else in the world, that phone conversations should be private; one should never use one's cell phone in a public place. We all scoffed, glared and cut our eyes at "those people" sitting in a restaurant having a loud, inappropriate conversation on a cell phone.

Fast forward a few years and we're all guilty of it. Admit it; you've turned in to one of "those people." One day something that started as a private conversation in the car was casually carried into the supermarket to pick up a few things. The next thing you knew it you were standing in front of the cashier mouthing an apology and trying to cradle the phone as you searched for your check card. Then it happened again...and again...and again.

Now you can't enter a store or restaurant without seeing throngs of people chatting and texting away while one annoyed customer openly glares...until his or her own cell phone rings.

And it's no longer just cell phones.

Laptops are the new must-have accessory and, just as with cell phones, these were quickly taken public. Unlike cell phones, though, you have to be wired in to use technological wonder. Luckily, plenty of Richmond restaurants and cafés have stepped in to help out.

Richmond is full of eateries that offer a wireless Internet connection for diners' surfing pleasure and at long last there's a comprehensive list of all the spots in town where you can virtually plug in without lifting a wire. We all know a few of the obvious ones, like Starbucks and Panera Bread, but here are a few more. Unless otherwise noted, all of these places offer free Wi-Fi for paying customers.

Richmond's Dining Wi-Fi Hotspots  

Fan / Carytown

 

Baja Bean Co: American Mexican fare.

1520 W. Main St., 804-257-5445

 

Baker's Crust : Sandwiches and upscale American fare.

3553 W. Cary St., 804-213-0800

 

Bin 22 & Betsy's: Coffeehouse during the day, wine bar and European fare at night.

3200 W. Cary St., 804-358-4501

 

Cafe Portico at the Science Museum of Virginia : Coffeehouse / café.

2500 W. Broad St., 804-864-1400

 

The Common Cup: Coffeehouse.

1211 W. Main St., 804-278-9333

 

Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream: Coffeehouse.

26 N Morris St., 804-355-3559

 

Mezza: Mediterranean / Lebanese.

1104 W. Main St., 804-355-3655

 

Star-Lite Dining & Lounge : American bar and grill.

2600 W. Main St., 804-254-2667

Three Monkeys: American bar and grill.

2525 W. Main St., 804-204-2525

 

Village Café: American café / diner.

1001 W. Grace St., 804-353-8204

 

Downtown / Shockoes

 

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar : American bar and grill.

1501 E., Cary St., 804-648-8900

 

Cafe Gutenberg: Coffeehouse / European fare.

1700 E. Main St., 804-497-5000

Capital Ale House : American bar and grill.

623 E. Main St., 804-643-2537

 

Captain Buzzy's Beanery: Coffeehouse.  

2623 E. Broad St., 804-377-6655

 

Lift Coffee Shop & Café: Coffeehouse

218 W. Broad St., 804-344-5438

 

Penny Lane Pub : English / Irish Pub.

421 E. Franklin St., 804-780-1682

 

Popkin Tavern: American bar and grill.

123 W. Broad St., 804-343-1909

Shockoe Espresso: Coffeehouse.

104 Shockoe Slip, 804-648-3734 

Southside

 

Bailey's Pub & Grille: American bar and grill.

11581 Robious Road, 804-560-4600

 

Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream:   Coffeehouse.

3600 Forest Hill Ave., 804-231-2030

 

West End / Northside

 

Aunt Sarah's Pancake House: National chain; pancake house.  

4205 W. Broad St., 804-358-8812

Bailey's Smokehouse & Tavern : American bar and grill.

7502 W. Broad St., 804-755-6800



Baker's Crust : Sandwiches and upscale American fare.

11800 W. Broad St., 804-377-9060

Bleu Bistro Restaurant: American bar and grill.

8982 Quioccasin Road, 804-750-1120

 

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar : American bar and grill.

7801 W. Broad St., 804-672-8732

 

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar: American bar and grill.

1090 Virginia Center Parkway, 804-553-9998

Capital Ale House : American bar and grill.

4024 Cox Road, 804-780-2537

 

Daily Grind: Coffeehouse

11655 W. Broad St., 804-360-1565

Ham's Restaurant: American bar and grill.

9498 W Broad St., 804-965-5520

 

Max & Erma's Restaurant: American bar and grill.

2160 John Rolfe Parkway, 804-754-3762

Stir Crazy: Coffeehouse

4015 MacArthur Ave., 804-864-0264

Did we miss your favorite Wi-Fi spot? Add it in the comments section below or send an e-mail to karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com and we'll add it to the list.