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Home Sweet RVA | Nest Realty

In Defense Of The Humble Dive Bars Of RVA

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Fall is here. It’s brought with it some overcast & rainy vibes. Sometimes, the best way to ride out this weather is with a drink. Richmond has a ton of great choices for high end drinks – just take a walk through Scott’s Addition and there’ll be no shortage of places to grab a fancy beverage.

Today, though… That’s not why we’re here. We’re visiting our favorite watering holes to return to time & time again.

Leigh Bowling

Curbside Richmond

  • 2525 Hanover Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
  • Happy Hour: 5 pm – 9 pm
  • Open until: 2 a.m. Monday – Sunday

“I’ve been going to Curbside since 2010, and have made so many memories there. Mostly good, some bad…. but I always come back! I love their tater tots and their rail drinks. Nothing beats hanging out on the patio. The best part though is the consistency. I’ll always come back for the same great vibes every time!”

Curbside Cafe opened in 2002 in Richmond’s Fan District. Their iconic outdoor seating offers some great vibes all year round.

Scott Andrews

Patrick Henry’s Pub

  • 2300 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223
  • Open until: 2 a.m. Monday – Sunday

“In the winter when you go down there, and the fireplace is going, you get to drink cheap whisky by the fire… It warms my heart. And my belly.”

Nobody knows when it opened. Legend has it that Patrick Henry left a bottle of whisky at the site and a pub naturally apparated around it. We’ll never truly know, though… We just know that it’s in Church Hill and it’s good.

Jess Houser

Patrick Henry’s Pub

  • 2300 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223
  • Open until: 2 a.m. Monday – Sunday

“Scott can’t have Patrick Henry’s Pub, I live there. It’s my neighborhood watering hole. My partner Ron refers to it as ‘an extension of my living room.’ I’ve never once seen Scott there, if that tells you anything. I don’t know when he’s there, but it ain’t when I’m there!”

Jess Houser, Part 2

Sidewalk Cafe

  • 2101 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
  • Open until 2 A.M.

“Sidewalk Cafe is never a dull moment. The portions are generous, and the food is wonderful. I always leave with some leftovers for later! They have a fantastic spicy Bloody Mary – I recommend it with extra olives.”

Sidewalk Cafe is a classically kitschy dive bar. All walks of life feel comfortable here. Located in the heart of The Fan, Sidewalk is like your favorite college hoodie. It may not be in the best shape, it might have a few holes, but nothing fits quite like it.

Vanessa Dieterly

My Screened-in Side Porch

  • [Address Redacted]
  • [Hours Redacted]
  • Every Hour is Happy Hour

“Richmond’s hottest dive bar is my screened-in side porch. It’s got everything. String bistro lights, boho chairs, leopard throw pillows, a porch swing, plenty of side tables to set your drinks on, and best of all – it’s open for business whenever I want.”

If you’re up for hosting, sometimes the best place to have a drink is at your own home. It’s the best dive bar to show up to in your PJs.

Experiencing Existential Dread? Consider First Fridays

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Around here at Home Sweet RVA, we’re constantly looking for ways to distract ourselves from the inevitable ennui of being a person during 2023. A great option for you and your loved ones is a first Friday. However, with so many to choose from, which one is right for your particular worldly anxiety? We’ve done some Love Connection-esque dating profiles for each First Friday coming up this weekend to help you temporarily cure your particular brand of ennui.

MANCHESTER MANIFEST: FIRST FRIDAYS SOUTHSIDE

  • Friday, September 1, 2023
  • 3:00 PM  – 12:00 AM
average person working from home in richmond

Here’s the quintessential First Friday for Richmond. This follows suit with the origins of this grassroots tradition – it’s a block party that celebrates the local arts community. This is perfect if you’re feeling isolated. We recommend this first Friday if:

  • You haven’t talked to anybody outside of your remote job recently
  • Your screen time has increased by 30% or more since July
  • You are younger than 30
  • You want to feel younger than 30

GALLERY5 PRESENTS: SUSTAINABLE RICHMOND 2/SEPTEMBER FIRST FRIDAY

  • Friday, September 1, 2023
  • 5:00 PM  11:00 PM

Gallery5 since ’05 – they’ve been rocking out First Friday since before it was cool. This month, they’re partnering with Richmond Moon Market to do a sustainability-minded event with lots of local farmers, food trucks, CSAs, and food justice initiatives. Consider this First Friday if:

  • You’re passionate about food insecurity in the community
  • The lack of Virginia snow has you fearing climate change
  • One of your exes has called you ‘crunchy’
  • House plants are part of your extended family

FIRST FRIDAYS AT VMHC

  • Friday, September 1, 2023
  • 5:00 PM  8:00 PM
Average Richmond VA Baby on a leash

Okay, we get it. If the first two didn’t resonate with you, the next two are for you. The RVA tradition of First Friday is, traditionally, a sensory overload. The First Fridays at the VMHC are a great option for those of us looking for something more tame. You’ll get discounted beer & wine, mocktails for the kids, and free access to the exhibits. Consider dating this eligible bachelor if:

  • The idea of an actual party has made you sweat for the last few years
  • You have kids who like to wander off
  • Air conditioning is a requirement for you to leave the house
  • Your brand of ennui thinks that history repeats itself

AFTER 5 FRIDAYS AT VMFA

  • Friday, September 1, 2023
  • 5:30 PM  7:30 PM
Average party with kids in Richmond VA

Once again, we offer a more tame First Friday offering for you and your family. The VMFA will offer access to their exhibits & galleries, dancing, and refreshments. This would be a great option if:

  • Dancing won’t throw your back out
  • Gazing at art exhibits helps you unlock the keys to the universe
  • You don’t want to keep your kids on a leash
  • You want to post heavily on Instagram to look cultured

Carytown Watermelon-less Festival?! Local Expert Concerned

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We just received a tip from a local watermelon enthusiast who wishes to remain anonymous about some concerning data points pertaining to the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

carytown watermelon festival graph photo


For those who don’t know, each year, Richmond is flooded with tons of folks from the counties to celebrate watermelons. You can get food, drinks, and more in a watermelon theme. It’s ALWAYS muggy, it’s ALWAYS the hottest day of the year, and it’s ALWAYS paying too much for something you can just buy at the supermarket.

So imagine enduring all of this discomfort just to not even get a slice of watermelon at the end of it all? Well, based on The Carytown Watermelon Festival’s own figures and some conservative estimates, 40,000 could go without watermelon at all this year. 115,000 people and 3,000 watermelons?! That’s only 70,000 slices – a GENEROUS estimate. That’s almost 35% of attendees who won’t get a single slice. And, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never just eaten one… The numbers don’t add up.

Just think about it. You won’t be able to find parking, you’ll overpay for a very cheap and accessible fruit, and you’ll probably just wind up going into your favorite Carytown stationery store, Mongrel, to cool off.

We here at Home Sweet RVA want to protect and advise Richmonders at all corners. Our recommendation is to simply go to the grocery store and buy a watermelon. Just call up some friends and have a potluck at home. You will have a 100% watermelon success rate, and run a more successful watermelon-themed event than the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

Pocket Parks of Richmond

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If you’re looking for a new casual date spot or a place to let the kids run around right here within the city, we’ve compiled a list of Richmond’s pocket parks. These teeny parks are often hidden in alleys between side streets and behind row homes in the Fan and are located near many of our favorite local restaurants and shops.

Scuffletown Park

We have to start with the quintessential RVA pocket park. Snag some brown sugar cookie dough ice cream from Scoop and a pizza from 8 ½ on Strawberry Street and head across the street to the alley between Park and Stuart. There are several picnic tables, and a nice grassy space if you’d prefer to lounge on a picnic blanket. Couples have even been married here surrounded by a rose arbor and colorful native blooms.

Meadow Park

This park at the corner of Meadow and Stuart is a great spot for a lunch break if you need to get out of the office. Feeling romantic? Check out the date night special from Garnett’s – choose any two menu items and a bottle of wine for $33.

Paradise Park

Tucked in the alleyway off of Grove Ave. between Allen and Vine, this park is a great spot to bring your little ones. Also known as Geometry Park, it’s chock full of sculptural triangles, tunnels, and sand boxes perfect for exploring and climbing.


Lombardy Park

This is another great spot for kids, with a cute playground nestled under large shade trees right at the intersection of Lombardy and Park. After burning calories on the swings, check out Kuba Kuba across the street for delicious Cuban food.

Brian’s Spring Sippers

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Gathering with friends for drinks and a barbecue in some of Richmond’s best neighborhoods is an amazing way to spend time with the people you care about. There’s something to be said about the communal experience of cooking and conversing as you enjoy each other’s company. With a cocktail in hand, you can kick back, relax and unwind as the day’s stresses fade away into the background. Whether you’re sitting on a deck, patio, or by the pool, the ambiance is always welcoming, and you can’t help but feel at ease.

Perhaps the best part of these gatherings is the chance to explore Richmond’s diverse neighborhoods. From the fan district to Carytown or Scott’s Addition, there is always something exciting to discover. You can take a leisurely stroll around the block or venture out to meet new people and discover new restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of Richmond or new to the area, there’s always something to discover.

As the sun sets, and the grill begins to sizzle, the smell of delicious food fills the air. The sound of laughter and glasses clinking together become music that provides the perfect backdrop for the evening. As you savor each flavorful bite, you’re reminded of the value of camaraderie and the joys of being surrounded by those who matter most.

The city’s diverse neighborhoods offer an array of options, providing a sense of community and fun that’s hard to find anywhere else. So, grab your grill, invite your friends, and get ready to have an unforgettable time!

SPRING COCKTAILS

Strawberry Basil Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz fresh strawberry puree
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 3-4 basil leaves
  • Salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle basil leaves and then add tequila, lime juice, strawberry puree, and simple syrup.

2. Add ice and shake well.

3. Rim a glass with salt (optional).

4. Strain the cocktail into the glass.

5. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.

Grapefruit Rosemary Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • Sparkling water

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle rosemary and then add gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

2. Add ice and shake well.

3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.

4. Top with sparkling water.

5. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

SPRING MOCKTAILS

Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz fresh strawberry puree
  • 2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Club soda
  • Ice
  • Strawberry and lemon slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine strawberry puree, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a tall glass.

2. Stir to mix well.

3. Add ice to the glass and top off with club soda.

4. Garnish with a strawberry and lemon slices.

Ginger Limeade

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz ginger syrup
  • Club soda
  • Ice
  • Lime slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine fresh lime juice and ginger syrup.

2. Stir to mix well.

3. Add ice to the glass and top off with club soda.

4. Garnish with lime slices.