Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone via Shutterstock.
The quaint little city of Richmond, Virginia, may be best known for its many local breweries, but it has a thriving wine bar scene, too. From the bustling village of Carytown to the up-and-coming historic neighborhood of Church Hill, there are plenty of unique and friendly spots to enjoy a glass of wine and a snack, or three, in the Virginian capital.
Here are five great wine bars in Richmond Virginia:
Photo courtesy of Secco Wine Bar.
1. Secco
Sleek, stylish and centrally located along the thoroughfare of Cary Street, Secco is a highlight on the Richmond wine scene. Settle in with a bottle of one of their small-production, terroir-driven wines and a charcuterie plate for a relaxed yet sophisticated wine bar experience. Plus this Carytown bar is open late seven days a week, so it’s the perfect spot for a night cap, too.
Photo courtesy of Dutch and Co.
2. Dutch and Company
With pressed-tin ceilings and vintage mirrors strung wall-to-wall, relative newcomer to the Richmond fine dining scene, Dutch and Co, embodies a classic atmosphere of Southern elegance. Though the space is small, the food is brilliant and the drinks list even more so. Dutch is known for its cocktails above all else, but the wine list is a highlight, too. Located on a calm corner of the historic district of Church Hill, Dutch and Co is one of Richmond’s treasures, to be found just slightly off the beaten track.
Photo courtesy of Can Can Brasserie.
3. Can Can
With quaint booths, louvre windows and a great, wide bar, Can Can is a slice of Paris in Carytown. The French flags might be overkill, but their French wine list is a force to be reckoned with, and the food is excellent, too (keep it simple and order the steak frites). Chic, softly-lit and full of mirrors and vintage posters, Can Can is the perfect place for date night in Richmond.
Photo courtesy of C’est le vin.
4. C’est le vin
A hop, skip and a jump from Downtown, in the trendy Shockoe Bottom district, lies C’est le vin, a relaxed bar-meets-gallery with a great range of local and international wines. Perfect for an after-work drink or a lazy Saturday afternoon chat over a bottle of crisp white, C’est le vin serves up tapas-style snacks to go with your wine, with plenty of options for Richmond’s large vegetarian and vegan crowd.
Photo courtesy of Postbellum.
5. Postbellum
On the edges of the fashionable Fan district, Postbellum captures Richmond’s distinctive mix of sophisticated and relaxed, North and South, bar and restaurant. (Virginian bars must serve a range of food by law, meaning even a casual drink out can turn into an unexpected meal.) Come for dinner, stay for drinks, and while the night away in this atmospheric space. The antlers over the bar mean you won’t forget you’re in the American South, either.
What’s your favorite wine bar in Richmond? Please share in the comments below.
By Gemma King
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
