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

Ross loves his family, Richmond, and beer (in that order). He is the master and commander of the good ship RVANews. Occasionally he takes a picture or two.

10 Responses to “Patios, brah!”

1. 1. onioncloute says:

   Man, we sure could’ve used this yesterday when we made the mistake of getting bad service and letting weird business-man-types encroach on our space at ol’ Buddy’s…

   Why didn’t I think about Bin 22!? Why didn’t I remember the jocular swishing!?!?

   on February 18th, 2011 at 11:04 am

2. 2. Ross Catrow says:

   My question: how could you FORGET the jocular swishing!

   on February 18th, 2011 at 11:45 am

3. 3. Jarman says:

   Also, Northside Grille! Their patio gets a nice breeze, in between two buildings.

   on February 18th, 2011 at 12:06 pm

4. 4. Bill Martin says:

   And don’t forget the garden at the Valentine Richmond History Center. There is Sally Bell’s in the cafe!!

   on February 18th, 2011 at 1:25 pm

5. 5. David L says:

   love the Legend patio, but my friends and i aren’t thrilled with $18 pitchers.

   on February 18th, 2011 at 1:38 pm

6. 6. Kyle S says:

   I’ll be at Caliente!

   on February 18th, 2011 at 5:59 pm

7. 7. RVAfoodie says:

   Mom Siam. Thai food and sunshine go well together. And they have some decent drinks to choose from.

   on February 18th, 2011 at 11:05 pm

8. 8. Nicole says:

   “you can never have enough jocular swishing”

   Seriously. You never can.

   on February 19th, 2011 at 3:57 pm

9. 9. Shannon says:

   Love me some Sette Pizza patio and their Martini list as well.

   on April 29th, 2011 at 4:11 pm

10. 10. Paul Hammond says:

    You have left out Ettamae’s excellent 2nd floor balcony. The perfect place for chocolate chess pie and coffee.

    on January 27th, 2012 at 2:44 pm