OK...so I didn't know this was a gay bar until I came to Yelp and read the reviews... However, the fact that it's a gay bar isn't really relevant to me! The food and service was great and that is what matters to me no matter the "orientation" of the establishment :)
Everyone was so nice and I got the crab cakes and spinach..with a Strawberry Margarita..everything was perfect! I was in the area and saw the place and went right on in... I know some people may be apprehensive since it's labeled a "gay" bar..but don't be... If You want great food and service in a great atmosphere.. This place has it.
Kinda divey, but with great food!
Fiance and I were in Richmond at the Coliseum and looking for some good food. Â Most places around the convention center are either 1. Â not serving at off hours, such as 3:30 in the afternoon, or 2. have bad reviews. Â Striking out at the first place we visited, I checked the Yelp mobile app, I saw this place had a sufficient number of stars for my liking and was open. Â
Fiance had the reuben and I had the crab cakes. Â He said it was the best reuben he's had; my crab cakes were very good--not a lot of filler--and the cole slaw was delicious (not a lot of places make good cole slaw). Â Service was good (our bartender seemed a little perplexed with us--we were attending the GOP state convention at the time and I'd gather they probably don't get piles of people wearing Republican stickers hanging around the place) and the atmosphere friendly.
Wifee loves to check out the local spots frequented by the local gay and lesbian community. Â I was initially ignorantly apprehensive about it but I have been pleasantly surprised with all my experiences since. Â The feel of community, vibe, energy and flair is addicting. Â I cant say every place we have been to will be revisited but this one is on the going back list. Â
The atmosphere was pretty chill with sounds of 80's and 90's music videos pretty much drowning thought out. Â I found myself 3 centimeters from wifee's ear trying to communicate how I would have liked a little more tonic with my vodka when I realized the genius of it! Â Super loud music, super strong drinks...forces proximity...removes inhibitions rapidly...well now, where was this place when I was in college? Â
The staff was attentive and very quick to bring out the next round. Â The bar was full of folks that looked very comfortable and happy to be there. Â We are a straight couple from out of town and we felt right at home. Â
The whole place was clean, including the restrooms. Â There was plenty of seating and I even think they had a bar menu. Â all in all a great experience.
I love barcodes! Its one of my favorite places to go to if I am craving wings or if I need to unwind with my friends. Love the martini specials on Thursdays! Also, my favorite server/bartender is always pleasant and greeting me with a smile (Sam). There are a few servers that are less than friendly but I try not to let one bad apple spoil the bunch. Great happy hour, would be nice if they added food to the happy hour menu.
Review Source:I've been going to Barcode off and on for a few years now, and the quality of this place just keeps improving.
Their beer choices are pretty good, the martini menu is great, the atmosphere is casual, the drinks are strong, and the bartenders are probably the friendliest in Richmond. I don't go out that often, but it's nice to experience that welcoming attitude in a city with such a small queer scene.
Since so many of Richmond's other gay bars are dance-oriented, I really appreciate being able to have a conversation without having to yell over some throbbing four-on-the-floor bass line. Hey, what do you want from me? I'm getting old!
My only complaint is the men's bathroom. Let me put it this way- that restroom ain't for the modest.
I caught an early dinner at Barcode on St. Patty's Day right after a workout, so I could go scurry away home and stay indoors from 5pm to 3am to avoid Shamrock the Block, which makes my part of town insufferably congested with douchebaggery. No thanks.
I needed at least 20 grams of protein, but apparently I didn't care about loading on the carbs and cheese, because I got fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken and garlic bread. Â The grilled chicken breast is probably all I really needed, but I was only eating once all day, so I went for it. Â With gusto. Â It was decent, nothing exceptional, as you can probably tell from the picture. Â Tasty, simple, hard to screw up.
It was a fun day to go, because when I walked in, a bunch of guys dressed up in leather and cop outfits looked at me like "Are you looking for our group? Â Here we are." Â I wasn't looking for a bear/leather daddy meeting though. Â Just food. Â But yeah, seeing the bear flag up and those guys strutting past me, their chains and cuffs jingling off their military and police outfits, was really fun. Â I totally respect those guys, although, when you actually see them in person, you realize it's just these otherwise-normal-looking guys wearing these shiny costumes, which is... Â Oh god, now they're coming to kick my ass and make me lick their boots...
Apparently I made it to the bottom of that plate and was still hungry from my workout, because I ordered dessert, shut up, I know. Â I got the chocolate torte. It was amazing.
Bathrooms: Men, Women. Â In the Men's, a toilet with no stall and 2 urinals with a glass partition, and sink. Â I hate that bathroom honestly.
love love the bartenders..love love the cheap mugs of vodka & cranberry.Who doesn't wanna MUG of vodka & cran for $3.50???? uuum i do! Â .LOVE LOVE Martini nite,lemondrop martinis YUMMO, who doesn't want a $4/5 Martini??? I do!!!! nice place to chill & hav a drink..its not the best looking bar inside but its something to do an friendly ppl to meet once ur there...I wish more hot chickz would b in there tho,but I'm not complaining.
Review Source:Great place to come chill, drink, and grab a bite to eat. Â My girlfriend and I were staying a few blocks away at the Doubletree and had used the Yelp monacle to see what was around us. Â It was a Sunday night, karaoke night, Â and it was getting pretty busy. Â No pretense, drinks are good, and the service is quick and friendly. Â Definitely recommended.
Review Source:My kind of restaurant, and bar all in one. Order the nachos they are amazing, and the crab cake special was incredible. Â Great service staff, and the bartenders were super friendly.
I find it interesting that as I live in Denver Colorado we can not get this kind of bar and restaurant to cohabitate. I believe its the liquor laws here that make the food so darn good, but then a bar is really never just a bar in Virginia.
Bar Code is like a gay cheers. Unfortunately Richmond is not known for gay-specific nightlife. Luckily Bar Code is there to provide a haven for those who like the company and vibe unique to gay bars. Nothing fancy, no pretense. Good drinks and surprisingly good food quality.
I would venture to say that Barcode has the best Chicken Fingers and nachos in town. The prices are moderate and portions are generous. Daily specials always satisfy.
Decor is wood bar and floors, large art prints on the walls, exposed brick etc but tends to be on the dark side as there are no windows due to it being attached on either side.
Sunday Karaoke is always fun, especially on holiday weekends. There is a wide variety of talented folks and I have never had a bad time....and I don't even sing!
The fact that they keep iced glasses for draft beer is especially appreciated and I have been known to order my mixed vodka/soda/cran in a big ol beer glass.
There is an outdoor deck in the rear which tends to be smoker centric. The staff is stable with little turnover and they are always friendly and efficient.
Absolutely one of my favorite bar/restaurant in any city I go to. Â Is it fancy? Â No. Â Is it a fine dining experience? Â No. Â It is what it is and what it is is a local downtown gay bar that serves some incredible food and great drinks. Â The front half is a restaurant the back half is a bar but you can eat in either place. Â And if Ralph is cooking and pork chops are on the menu, it would be a sin not to try them. Â The lunch menu is the best deal in town, usually offered with two sides and the burgers and fries are delicious. Â The staff has always been so friendly and welcoming that I feel right at home though I am a thousand miles away from my home.
And if you are straight, don't be afraid to step inside the doors--you will feel at home as well. Â The place is kicking on weekends but there has always been a friendly crowd no matter what night I have been there. Â Enjoy Richmond!
Update April 2010--I just learned today that Ralph passed away recently and is now cooking for the angels in heaven. Â :( Â No doubt they have gained a few pounds since his arrival a couple of months ago. Â Barcode is still great, but Ralph will certainly be missed.
My first night EVER in Richmond was Monday. Â Since I got into town a little earlier than I expected, I decided to go out to see and be seen (you know, to prepare for the weekend). Â There are a few gay bars in town, but apparently most of them are closed on Monday.
Luckily Barcode was open and only about 10 minutes from my new apartment. Â Parking was pretty easy to find on the street and once I walked in I was able to find a seat at the bar.
Pretty open feeling space with some tables and booths toward the front. Â Matt, the bartender, was very nice and not bad to look at (thanks for my drink).
Great first experience. Â It feels like this is the place to come to get your night started before heading out, but I could be wrong. Â I plan to be back to find out for sure.
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