Empire

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  Certainly wouldn't consider this to be a "dive bar". No frills? Yes. Dive bar? No. It has a chill vibe and great drink prices. Can't go wrong with that.

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  Posted on 09.03.12 Chris B.

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  being located on the doorstep of vcu has it's advantages....namely $1 high life cans on a wednesday night.  
  
  definitely a hipster bar.  tattoos, piercings, black clothing on most the other patrons.  great music, newer alternative with a little classic (rolling stones, etc) mixed in.  and yes, even with $1 high lifes, many are still drinking $3.50 pabst 24 oz cans.  
  
  enter thru the side door (front one is probably locked), the bar will be on the right and wooden booths on the left.  past the bar is one video game and a few lower wooden eating tables and high tables.  the booths along the left are against a brick exterior until about halfway down, where the side windows start.  windows are great and open the place up.  the booths themselves look uncomfortable, no padding and 90 degree backrests.  the bar is a laminated wooden top with no rail.  the footrest is a large wooden cube, very nice.  17 or 18 adequate bar stools, all with backrests.  
  
  only 1 working TV on top the bar back.  rest of the bar back is simple shelves filled with liquor, ledgers/books, etc.  classic stamped ceiling, though it's been horribly painted, kinda fits the place though.  there's a kitchen behind the end of the bar, but i never checked out the menu.  lower lighting, but far from dark, really just perfect.  a great red "EMPIRE" sign over thew front door and a black EMPIRE sign over the bar. slight industrial look with the exposed hvac, brick, and floor.  overall solid bar.

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  Posted on 10.25.11 D h.

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  Richmond's best dive bar, hands-down.
  It's a theme in my reviews ... I lament the lack of authentic honest bars. Empire is a solid, down to Earth joint.

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  Posted on 07.16.11 Matthieu K.

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  Visited Richmond with a good friend for the weekend and was looking for where the punks and rockers hung out in town. Was referred to Empire by a number of people at other venues and stopped by on a Friday night. We met the co-owner of the bar, Jason, who made us feel super welcome and was a great conversationalist. We also met a few other really warm and cool folks, all freaks and down to earth. I wish DC had a bar like this, it makes me miss the Midwest and smaller towns..
  
  The drink prices were amazing - but, living in the "big city" will make you jaded. Suffice to say I paid a mere $6 for a La Chouffe which is a good and bad thing, I love that beer, too much.
  
  If you're looking for the spot for punks, rockers, indie, freaks, pierced, tattooed beauties and boys this is the place. Friendly staff, fooze ball and no problem finding a seat at 11 pm on a weekend.
  
  Really made our Richmond visit worth it!

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  Posted on 02.13.11 Sarah S.

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  Empire is funny in that "Weren't you in H804?" kind of way. Oh, right, you still have those tattoos.

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  Posted on 12.08.08 Heather M.

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  I finally found a bar in Richmond with some character. The Empire is a dark, loud, dive bar full of friendly, pierced and tatted up people. I honestly didn't know that Richmond had any bars like this. Totally reminded my of my favorite bar from college. The downside is that the area is a little sketchy and cops are tow happy so be careful where you park.

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  Posted on 04.26.08 Alison M.

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  Good cheap drinks with good cheap people.  You can be loud and play the scene or chill in a booth watch the shenanigans.  The food is pretty tasty and they have specials most nights.  $2 burgers on Sunday are the way to go.  Beware they have a $10 credit card limit.

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  Posted on 04.25.08 Tee-tee B.

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  This is the best dive bar I've found in Richmond. Casual, reasonably cheap ($3.50 for a 24oz. pbr), low key. A little pretentious, certainly too many hipsters for comfort, but still a nice bar with some good shows. A note: pbr's a better deal than I thought- $1 for a 12oz. SO what's up with the over priced 24oz? Maybe it looks really cool?

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  Posted on 01.06.08 P O.

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