The Camel

My first non-hotel stop during my weekend in Richmond, and it was a vibrant and colorful live music bar that featured an impressive brews, a better than decent food menu, and an eclectic mix of local and traveling musicians on a daily basis. And while I can only give 4 stars for now as I was an outsider looking in and grabbing a sample, I can easily acknowledge it as being everything I look for in a solid local music bar.

After walking through an endless portion of open chain stores and local businesses that closed during wonky hours (the one and only thing I couldn't figure out during my first experience of Richmond), My partner in adventure and I were instantly drawn to the sound of live bluegrass, stained glass windows that resembled elaborate tattoo art, and the steel camel sign that instantly made the place stand out. And upon entry we were instantly welcomed by the warm servers and 15-20 taps of brew that were ready for indulgence. the only flaw I could give to such a number of taps was that there were no mention of what they were on a menu or wall. But they did yield plenty of something for everybody; including plenty of local drafts, imports and well known craft brews; and NattyBo and a coupled special taps for those who were looking to drink on the cheap.

Walking in around 7:30pm led to a free bluegrass/folk music session to enjoy, but you could also see a couple of young indie/alt bands getting ready to setup for the evening and live it up for on stage. To give an idea to the Philly Phaithful I'd consider it a cross between an old school Tritone meets Khyber of yesteryear. AKA a strong eclectic stage that gave everyone a chance to play on it, while offering good acoustics. Combine all of the above and the Camel is an instant destination when and if I'm ever in Richmond again.

Such a great, intimate spot for taking in a show. I've been here a few times, most recently for a band showcase early in the evening. There wasn't much of a crowd at all, so it was a very different experience from my previous late-night packed visits. This time, I actually engaged in conversations with friends, whereas usually it's a lot of dancing and a little yelling. No matter when you go, the bartenders are super friendly, and the beer list is pretty darn extensive. If you're looking to catch some local tunes in a relaxed, but upbeat atmosphere, The Camel is a great choice!

True, parking can sometimes be tricky... but that's just par for the course in an urban area. Just be patient, drive around, and you'll usually find street parking.

Great venue for local bands. Incredible beer selection. Epic food. Some nights the bands can draw a interesting crowd.