If there's one thing Richmonders claim to care about, it's their city's history. If there's one thing they really care about, it's their favorite drinking spots. Now, both of these tastes can be indulged at the same time; welcome to the Richmond history and bar tour.
Whether you're a dedicated drinker looking to expand your horizons or a history buff trying to let loose, select from these pairings of iconic Richmond historical sites and drinking establishments. Recapture the synergy of alcohol and knowledge that makes university education so effective. Go forth and learn, Richmond.
Church Hill: St. John's Church and Patrick Henry’s Pub
Be sure to start with St. John's. Despite being Richmond's oldest church, St. John's is still in operation. And, as we all know, bars should really be saved for after church.
As host to Virginia's second revolutionary assembly, St. John's witnessed Patrick Henry throwing down the eminently badass “liberty or death” gauntlet.
So, say a little thanks to the man that you're not talking funny and slapping Union Jack magnets on your SUV. Or, even better, mosey down the street to the subterranean Patrick Henry’s Pub and raise a pint to its namesake. Then roll down the hill to...
Shockoe Bottom: The Poe Museum and Poe's Pub
Edgar Allan Poe was a great writer, great drinker and great adopted Richmonder. Honor his memory with a visit to the appropriately quirky Poe Museum.
Check out various Poe artifacts and a special exhibit on Poe in the movies, then peruse Poe paraphernalia in the gift shop.
Right down Main Street is Poe's Pub. Friendly wait staff and outdoor seating make this bar the perfect place for a post-Poe Museum pow-wow. Do take the opportunity to learn from Poe's own words and be wary of any friends who “insist upon the juleps” because you still have to make it to...
Downtown: Tredegar Iron Works and Legend Brewing Company
A one-stop shop for your Civil War needs, the former Tredegar Iron Works now boasts both the National Park Service's Civil War Visitor Center and The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, a museum dedicated to exploring the Civil War from Union, Confederate and African American points of view.
When you experience Civil War overload, take the Manchester Bridge to Southside, then U-turn on Semmes Avenue toward West 7th Street, where you’ll find Legend Brewing Company. Challenge your friends to recite the full names of the museums you’ve just visited while you sip a local draft on the patio overlooking the James. Next, head back north toward…
The Valentine Richmond History Center and Gibson's Grill
The Valentine is Richmond to the core. Imagine your grandmother's attic if your grandmother was an eccentric hoarder of 19th century Richmond-related odds and ends.
Don't miss the display of Valentine's Meat-Juice (not available for consumption) and a timely exhibit on Richmond during the Great Depression.
Afterward, wash off the musty residue of history with a cold one at Gibson's Grill. Take a moment to enjoy the music-themed décor and bask in the warmth of neon wall hangings, then split for...
Jackson Ward: The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and Mama J's
Ever tried starting a bank as a black woman during segregation? Well, neither had anyone else before Maggie L. Walker did it in 1903, placing her up there with Patrick Henry in the ranking of revolutionary locals.
Discover more about Maggie Walker and other Jackson Ward heavyweights at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, a brimming storehouse of Jackson Ward information, with special exhibits on the second floor.
Follow up with a stroll down the block to Mama J's, a restaurant with a perfect balance of elegance and comfort—do yourself a favor and get some wings with your drink. Digest and proceed to...
The Fan: The Virginia Historical Society and Cafe Diem
Expand from The Valentine's Richmond focus to a statewide view. The Virginia Historical Society's current marketing pitch, “Neat Stuff Inside,” proves accurate, if lacking in pizzazz.
An impressive Bizarre Bits exhibit (a display of bizarre objects) is supplemented by galleries filled with several centuries' worth of Virginia knowledge and, well, neat stuff.
Celebrate the end of the tour at Cafe Diem, located in an area known just decades ago as the Devil's Triangle, due to its rowdy bars and clientele. While Devil's Triangle is now a safe haven, even for families dining out, Café Diem channels a West Coast '60s beach motel vibe that warrants a visit.
Congratulations, Richmond, you've done it. Be sure to pass the keys off to a designated driver (or historian), because if you get pulled, no police officer will ever believe you're coming home from the museum.
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