Patios, brah!

by Ross Catrow

Ok guys, have you seen the weather out there in the wide wide world? Not only is it — what I will preemptively and foolishly call — ur-Spring, but it is also FRIDAY! Say heyyyyyy!

I’m going to suggest that we are all “coming down” with a “debilitating, although short lived, illness” and we surely have to “leave work early” to go “grab a drink on a patio.” And, because we love you like the fruit of our own loins, here’s 10 slammerjammering Richmond patio options. Make sure you get there early because nothing says sweet patio hang like the first warm Friday of the year!

1. Baja Bean Co.

The RVANews Secret Headquarters are … headquarted … directly above Baja Bean. If your destiny leads you to Baja, know that we will either a) join you! or b) stare at you creepily from within our brick prison.

2. Havana 59

I hear Cuba is warm this time of year / all times of year? Well, I’ll tell you one place that is slightly less south of the Mason-Dixon line and filled with delicious mojitos: Havana 59.

3. Water Grill

My favorite movie is The Little Mermaid, and at the Water Grill you can actually order MERMAID TAIL. That’s not true but their oysters are awesome, and you can watch all the humans walk by on, what do you call them? oh, feet!

4. Home Team Grill

SPORTS! I am tempted to leave it at that. Ok, ok, temptation won out.

5. Carytown Bistro

Every time I walk past Carytown Bistro (which used to be Bin 22 at Betsy’s) I am so totally jealous of everyone there. Have you seen them!? They’re always smiling and jocularly swishing wine glasses back and forth. And, I’ll tell you what, you can never have enough jocular swishing.

6. Siné

If you follow the rainbow to its inevitable end behind Siné not only will you find a nice patio and Irish nachos, BUT AN ACTUAL LEPRECHAUN. If you’re nice he’ll dance a jig on your table for a pittance.

7. Alamo

Alamo doesn’t necessarily have a patio, but can you think of a better place to hang out on warm Friday afternoon than a walk up BBQ joint that’s bathed in pork-smoke?

8. Ipanema

Wanna see what the dang kids are wearing these days? Ipanema’s the best place to hang, drink one of their well chosen draft beers, and peoplewatch. Peoplewatching: it’s, like, my mom’s most favorite thing to do!

9. Phil’s Continental Lounge

Update: Phil’s has moved down the street! 5704 Grove Avenue is its new home.

Phil’s is the most hiddenest gem the near-West End has to offer (except for maybe Bernie’s). Not only have they been a UR student staple for innumerable decades, but they serve beer in pitchers! Pitchers on a patio! Rejoice!

10. Legend Brewing Company

What do you even say about the most perfect patio in Richmond — nay, the UNIVERSE? Other than: “Get there early because it’s going to be crowded.”

Photo: Legend Brewing Company

January 27, 2012 11