This is a great place to see a show. Â You can choose to go down on the floor, where, depending on what band is playing, you may get trampled..... or sit up top, where you can likely sit down through the whole show (I am an old man, what can I say) and enjoy yourself. Â The drink prices inside are not bad, and this place is super easy to get to, with plenty of parking nearby. Â If you haven't seen a show here yet, check them out.
Review Source:EXPERIENCE: Â 6/18/13 Tame Impala
I like small venues, they have more energy and get you closer to the acts. That being said, I like the National. Â There is, however, one thing that grinds my gears. The bathroom attendant.
I won't say I have a vendetta against bathroom attendants (a guys got to make a living, right?). What I have a problem with is a guy who hassles a grown ass man for money under the assumption that he's providing a valuable service by providing one with products one doesn't use and helping one manage the incredibly challenging task of dispensing paper towels.
At a high-end venue I'll let a bathroom attendant slide, but last time I checked the Richmond Symphony didn't have one. So, why would a place than commonly features popular music acts throw a wrench in the gears of what should be a simple piss-and-go operation? All this guy accomplishes is creating awkward social encounters and lower hygiene by incentivizing toilet goers to intentionally pass on washing hands to avoid being hassled for a buck...for a paper towel.
Pro Tip: Â If you use the bathroom entrance facing the bar inside the main room you can easily slip in and out of a stall without making eye contact with this guy.
PROS:
- Small venue for great performers
- 3 bars with quick service
CONS:
- Overzealous bathroom bouncer
- Drinks range from $6 for domestic to $7 for craft and $14 for mixed
- The interior bars have a larger selection (not a bad thing, but you should know).
BOTTOM LINE:
Go. Remember the secret bathroom entrance.
Oh wow - this place totally reminds me of the old American Theater in St. Louis. Â It's been rehabbed & the bathrooms are clean, and the bars are plentiful. Â There's plenty of seating/standing options. Â I saw the National here recently, and the size and acoustics of this venue were top notch. Â Really, really impressive small-medium sized venue. Â There's pretty much a bar every 2 feet, so that's a real bonus.
Wish STL had an option like this!
I went to the National for a show once. "Yo Gotti" was performing that night! I had fun & the place was  kinda packed. I had heels on, so my feet was killing me the whole time. I had no idea that we could have sat down upstairs. Drinks were good. Music was on point!  I haven"t had a chance to go back.
Review Source:This venue was awesome. I loved how it was smaller and had a great sound system. I took my wife to watch The Dirty Heads and Shiny Toy Guns. If I lived up here I would visit this place often for concerts. There are plenty of bathrooms and the local areas didn't charge too much for parking.
Review Source:I've been to The National a few times and I've always had a blast. My favorite experience was probably The Legwarmers, but that's just because I'm totally obsessed with 80s and any excuse to wear neon.
If you're craving a beverage, the bartenders are swift and friendly. Plus, multiple bars = shorter wait times for drinks. And I'm a fan of that.
And the bathrooms? Way cleaner than most music venues I've visited. It might be a weird thing to notice, but the fact that I'm still remembering their pristine condition means they definitely made an impression. I've seen some nasty restrooms, and thankfully this one doesn't make me feel like I need to shower for days after using it. Thank you, maintenance.
As a non-smoker (who has nothing against smokers, promise!), I really appreciate the smoking patio outside of the first floor. I think it's a great way to accommodate everyone.
If you've never been to The National, you gotta check it out... even if only once, to say you've been. Although I'm guessing you'll probably want to return again.
I went to the National with my sister for BET's Music Matters tour. The tour featured Marsha Ambrosius, Melanie Fiona, and Anthony David. The show was excellent. I sat at the top of the venue. I had a good view from the top. The bottom of the venue has open space for standing. You can get really close to the stage. The venue sells food and drinks (alcohol).The food can take a while to come out. If you're hungry, order before the show starts. The National has a bar area to enjoy a drink before going into the immediate show area. I really like the vintage feel of the National. It's important to know that seating is first come, first serve for most shows. It's vital to arrive early if you want good seating or front row by the stage. There's a parking deck close by the venue. You may find street parking around the venue (hit or miss).The National is a good venue to enjoy a show.
Review Source:Great venue in downtown Richmond VA. Â The acoustics are great, and you can see the stage from anywhere in the building. Â The bartenders were nice & the drinks weren't too pricey. Â The only complaint I have is the slow coat check- Â my friends checked their coats, and took about 15 minutes to check them in and about 45 minutes to get them back.... and they stopped serving drinks during this time, so that was a bummer.
Review Source:I've seen thousands of shows and concerts. This is by far my favorite place. It has absolutely everything going for it:
Excellent view no matter where you stand or sit. The floor is sloped so that even a vertically challenged person such as myself can see. There are tiers in the side and the back for unobstructed views.
And though I can't fathom going to a concert and not dancing, there's a seating area upstairs for those who find the need to sit. In Chairs. At a concert. Anyway.....I digress.
Multiple bars -- I counted at least 6 -- ensuring that service is quick and efficient. I don't recall ever waiting in line for more than a minute.
And speaking of lots of drinks --- that leads me to the restroom situation. There are plentiful restrooms conveniently located in multiple sites downstairs and upstairs. I never had to wait. Best of all, restrooms are CLEAN!
The lighting at the show I recently attended (Carbon Leaf) was stellar. The lighting and sound people really know what they're doing.
And of course, most importantly, the sound quality. Top notch.
Though I suspect the prices of the shows vary depending on the artist, the ticket prices for the shows I've seen have been very, very reasonable.
Parking is a breeze - there's a cheap parking deck directly across the street ($5 for the night, I think) Â and there is ample street parking that's free after hours.
I cannot think of a single thing that would've improved my experience.
We went to see Leon Russell at the National! . I've been a L.R. fan for a very long time. He's just fun R&R...he can also move anyone w/ the Blues.... He's one of the few singers who can cover a song and then own it! Ray could, Van Morrison can, Sinatra and Eva Cassidy could. It's not easy!   So, let's talk about the National; first the sound system is as good as any on the east coast. I could stop there, but its been referbished and just looks great, both inside and out. Period!!!  For our concert there was floor seating. We choose the balcony..I think It's probably the best place to see a show...as Bob Uecker  would say.....FRONT ROW......We had use of the private bar, very nice. I've think the ushers were as helpful and courteous as anyplace I've been, including Major League Ball Parks. Great place for a medium to small sized venue to catch a good music group!... Richmond has lots of great local bands, so go hang a while! So very cool!
Review Source:I saw Beach House at the National the other day. Â The venue is super nice on the inside. Â Surprisingly clean bathrooms for a nightclub/concert venue. Â Parking is simple. Â There's plenty of street parking right nearby, and most of the meters expire at 630 so you won't even have to pay. Â Be sure to check your individual meter though - I don't want to be the one responsible if you get a ticket!
If a show isn't sold out, I definitely recommend checking Stubhub for ticket prices. Â I landed Beach House tickets for $14 each the other day - nearly 10 bucks UNDER face value. Â
My friend and I decided to check out the balcony first, particularly since Beach House is fairly low key. Â While it was nice to have a seat, I felt SO disconnected from the action. Â For those of you who have been to the 930 Club in DC, this balcony feels so much higher and further away from the stage - even though the venue probably fits a similar number of people. Â It could be because there is a VIP section in front of the balcony on the same level. Â It's pretty distracting. Â After the first half, we made our way down to the main floor level - SO MUCH BETTER. Â The sound is better down there, as well as the light setup. Â I suppose that's to be expected - shows aren't going to be set up to play to the balcony. Â
I'll definitely be back next time a band is sold out in DC!
Great place to see a show! I've seen Streetlight Manifesto and They Might be Giants here and both times I was thoroughly impressed with the sound guy's talents. Â Every instrument was balanced and it wasn't so loud your ears were bleeding.
The layout of this place deserves to be mentioned as well. They have it laid out so that there's not really much congestion at the bar or at the merch tables. That's a big thumbs up for me as I can't really stand to be in the middle of a bunch of sweaty concertgoers. Oh and there's a back door for all you smokers as well!
Definitely try to catch a show here. The decor is fancy and the sound is great. You won't be disappointed!
LOVE small, intimate venues!! This one reminds me of places I frequented in LA & SF. Top floor is a balcony seating & floor is open general admittance with blocked off area behind the sound guy in the back. I love that the floor is slanted almost to the front so the view is great unless you are first 20 deep. There are at least two bars but I didn't explore so there are probably more. Fast service & drinks weren't rubbing alcohol quality so that was a plus. Â Sound system was great my ears are still ringing ;) another plus for a small venue... You get to FEEL the music! Â Overall, I had a great time seeing Michael Franti and I will definitely come back hopefully very soon.
Review Source:Probably one of the better small venues that I've been to. Entry was streamlined and didn't take too long. I like this place: you're able to get down with the crowd in front of the stage or watch the action from the balcony. Beverages were easy to purchase as well, despite the bar area being super crowded. The prices for drinks were fair, too.
I'd definitely come back for a show.
The National has pretty good sound. They have a floor space in front of the stage and also a balcony that wraps around half of the space. Â They have a couple bars and a lounge/sitting type area with televisions. I think you can also get food upstairs in the bar. The staff seem friendly. There's also a VIP section which is great if you have a way to get in.
Review Source:I've caught three shows here now, the most recent being the Megadeth concert on 09 May 2012. Overall I really enjoy this venue a lot. It has a nice intimate feel without being really crowded.
The staff is generally polite and don't get seem to be rude or disrespectful to patrons like at other venues i've been to.
The bar is easily accessible and not outrageously priced for a concert venue. The bathrooms are kept in reasonable shape despite the chaos and traffic of the shows.
Nice place to catch a show and will definitely be back again.
I always had a good time at the National, I feel it's a good Richmond institution and they have a pretty decent calendar all year round. That said if you are a Richmond resident with a green card like me, beware the National doesn't like your beer money. I realized there are not that many non Americans in Richmond but after I spent 43$ on tickets, it was a little bit ridicolous that they made a stink about me not having another form of ID. I've been in the states for a while and never had a problem before this. Not cool.
Review Source:While this is a great spot for bands to come and play in Richmond, I have only been there a handful of times. Â Why? Â Because I don't want to see the crap bands they bring in. Â Not to mention, when a fight broke out at one of the concerts I had to ask a bouncer to stop trying to pick up a chick and breakup the fight that was going on. Â Then, at another concert these idiots decided slam-dance with each other and kept hitting me. Â That's when the husband and friend, who are RPD, got involved since once again, the bouncers where no where to be found. Â
Maybe when the venue decides to protect its patrons I will return...if they ever have any decent acts come through again.
I love The National - great atmosphere and they often pull really great shows. Really really love that it's non-smoking! I especially love that they're not only using Ticketmaster for online sales, because those guys are jerks.
The only complaint I have is that during some shows, people talk so loudly it's hard to hear the performers. I know some chatter is unavoidable, especially with the bar areas in the back, but it's rough. I heard The National staff were going to start enforcing people to be a bit quieter, but I have yet to see it actually happen. Still, though, fantastic venue.
I love The National. It is by far the best place in Richmond to see a concert. If a band you like comes through here, go see them. Intimate old theater with a sloping floor and seats in the balcony if you like. Most, if not all shows are GA. A number of bars are scattered about with a fair selection of beers. The National has some type of high quality sound system as well. I believe the sight mentions that their sound set up is one of three like it on the east coast. Â Smokers can smoke in a small area outside.
Review Source:Great place for a concert. Â My wife and I, along with another couple drove down from Alexandria Sunday Nov 13th for the Hank III concert and I was pretty impressed with the layout. Â My buddy and I were worried about the safety of our wives because the Hank III concert can get crazy, but the balcony solved that problem.
My buddy smokes and that was a great set up for him. Â The drinks were a good price.
I can see myself driving 2 hours to see a band here. Â Great place!
Hands down the best indoor venue in VA, imo. Â Incredible and consistent lineup of regional, national, and international acts of all genres. Â I've recently enjoyed seeing Chromeo, Minus The Bear, and Primus there all with-in the past month and have had the pleasure of playing there several times myself. Â VIP and backstage are as swanky as it gets.
Richmond NEED's the National like baby's need milk...
Saw Foster The People on 9/23/11 at The National. Drove up from Raleigh, NC to catch the show. Completely worth it just to see a show at this venue. Great lighting, great sound, not too big, real character. Best of all, the temperature was about 65 degrees inside before the show started so it never got too hot. Spotted security throughout the venue taking action, which was terrific since this was an all-ages show.
The National is my #1 choice of venue for a band that skips NC.
Great job, keep it up!
From beginning to end, my visit to The Nation was almost flawless. The gruff-looking door staff turned out to be quite congenial, and smartly checked IDs down the queue rather than waiting til I reached the door. The bar staff were friendly and efficient, and remembered me by name. Being from DC, I found the drinks to be cheap ($5-$6 a beer), actually. Also, the parking was only like $10 or so, and was right there on 7th Street. And I like that shows start at the time listed on the ticket (and am glad to have Yelped the place to discover this in advance).
The dramatic uplighting accentuates the decor and architecture beautifully. And the sloped general admission floor is a stroke of genius as it allows all but the shortest a view of the stage. Patrons were generally respectful of one another's space, and are civil during the reshuffling that happens during intermission.
The sound is impeccable, comparable to the best venues there are, including LA's Avalon and The Roxy in Atlanta. The sweet spot is upstairs, though the centerline of general admission is also good. The elevated standing room area flanking the soundboard is okay, so long as you're at the rail; the area isn't sloped and the sound gets too bassy the further under the mezzanine you are. As far as I can tell, there are no silly no-stand areas, even upstairs ... instead, patrons simply have the common sense not to block someone else's view.
As a bootlegger, I'm thrilled with The National's recording policy: "We do allow audio taping BUT (and this is a big BUT) only if the artist approves. We discourage, however, the use of video cameras and film cameras because the bright lights and flashes distract the artists and also disrupt other patrons' experiences." Another example of trusting patrons rather than forcing rules down throats.
Practically the only posted rule (at least at the show I attended) was that it had a "no talking" policy out of respect for the band's quieter tendencies. Unfortunately, a group of drunks kept chanting the song they wanted to hear. Frustratingly, none of the staff went to quiet them down, so by half way through the show the rest of us were left shouting at them to shut up. The staff should really have be more proactive and nipped this in the bud.
While there's a wonderful bar upstairs that chill and quiet and has a separate lounge area, it's a bummer that you can't continue your tab from one bar to another ... wherever you leave your card is the only place you can get a drink at. Network the tills, please!
Lastly, the gig I attended was sold out, so I wasn't surprised that it got hot. However, as amazing as this place is The National should explore upgrading their HVAC to better moderate the air temperature.
In the end, I've been telling friends that Bon Iver at The National was "the finest rock show (and venue) I've attended." I'm looking forward to returning soon in hopes that it can earn that fifth star.
I'm not sure how in the hell this place can be labeled a "small venue" but somehow it won and award for being so recently... I dunno, a theater with a large floor area, side and upstairs bars, and amphitheater seating... sure it's not a sports arena but it's definitely not a hole in the wall dive bar.... perhaps there ought to be a mid-size venue award.
In any case, this place is absolutely beautiful and was remodeled to look as it did way back in the day (that's my way of avoiding how I forgot the specific year). I love the strong pours in the bars and I love that (mostly due to Virginia's liquor laws) that I can order a damn cheeseburger at a venue without getting a, "Ha! Yeah right!" in response. I also love that I can take said cheeseburger up to the seating on the second floor to finish it off before heading back to the floor to see the headline band.
This is truly one of those venues you have to see to believe. Pictures won't do it justice.
Of all the wonder, I have but one complaint.
I'd venture to say that 99.9% of venues list the time of DOORS on their ticket. The National does not. The National prints the SHOW TIME on their tickets. So if you're a first timer, you should know that it is imperative that you're in the building at the time posted on the ticket if you're trying to catch the first band. I assumed it was a door time, walked in about thirty minutes late and only saw two songs from the band I was most interested in seeing. Extremely lame. You don't even get a note of (Show) printed on the ticket. Just a time. Guess you learn your lesson the first time. Unfortunately I don't live in Richmond will likely never be back to this theater to try to get it right.
A really good location for music. You can get down on the floor for hard rocking and escape up into the balcony for rest and to let your ears recover. The cost and availability of drink is about what I've found at other places, which means very limited and more than you'd pay elsewhere. But they do have Dale's Pale Ale on tap, which is a bonus.
This place does serve food, but I would only recommend it if you are REALLY hungry (like you haven't eaten all day and it's 8 pm). It's not bad, it's just not good.
sure, it looks pretty and the sound is nice for a medium large club. the problem is the washed-up mainstream crappy bands & inflated prices. Richmond already had Toad's Place come & make a mess of itself before shutting down, and i wager that this place won't last either.
at the National you can pay $60 to see ZZ Top (that is, if you aren't bright enough to pay $40 to see ZZ Top AND Tom Petty right in nearby Raleigh). Â or choose from smashing pumpkins with 25% of their original members for $50. not enough for you - how about Devo for $45? other nights you might get a treat like Vanilla Ice, the Black Crowes, or a Sublime cover band. maybe that works for some people who have never lived in a town where good bands make a point to play circa 2010 (not referring to under the radar DIY music here). seriously, save up your dough & go to Chicago for Lo-lalalala-PA-looza 2011 before you go here a few times - it'll cost you the same
yes i have seen a few shows here. VIP as a matter of fact... woowoo I got to pay $12 for a Knob Creek. maybe it tasted fine since i never paid an entrance cover. yes, the National does have great sound & a very cool feel to it, but the washed-up-pastprime or johnny-come-today acts they showcase lag compared to all sorts of venues within driving distance.
try Irving Plaza, the 9:30 Club, Trocadero - maybe even The Ottobar or  Black Cat if you want better rock music.
This is a tres fab venue to see a concert and there's not a bad seat in the house, except maybe on the floor at a packed show. It's a gorgeous old theatre from about the same period as the Byrd.
Gibson's Grill is great and it makes it really easy to do dinner there before a show, but there are lots of other places within walking distance of the theatre as well. Just be aware that on nights of a sold-out show, you'll need to go really early to eat before as every place will be jammed.
The balcony seats are the best and worth the extra money.
The National is old-school, and very cool. Â I saw Tracy Morgan do his comedy routine there, and I loved that they restored the building and kept a lot of the original details. Â The seats are close together but not unreasonable, and there are some seats with tables where you can get food service I think, if you don't mind sitting against the balcony railing. Â
We sat in the balcony section and I was really pleased to discover that there weren't any obstructed views, and it was actually probably easier to see from our seats in the balcony than if we were sitting on the floor.
The bathrooms weren't bad either- a little worn but clean, and it was nice to see a bar on both floors with a designated area where you could enjoy a beverage. Â I wish you could have taken the beverages outside of the bar area, but I guess that would junk up the place.
A little tip- the restaurant next door (Gibsons) is awesome, and if you eat there before the show you can get priority seating for your show.
The National also has an email list so you can keep up on the upcoming shows... I have been on it for a while, and I find it really helpful...
I finally made it out to the National a couple of weeks ago to see Gogol Bordello. It was an awesome show and one of the best parts was that even though I am short I was able to see the stage from everywhere because the floor is slanted. I also liked that there are multiple bars, a seated area in the balcony, large clean bathrooms and multiple doors so that you don't get smashed when everyone leaves at the same time after the show. What I don't like is that Ticketmaster and their ridiculous fees are in charge of tickets.
Review Source:I enjoyed the overall experience of a concert at this place. The band (All Time Low) was great of course. The sound could have been a bit better (mics seemed to stop working at times during the show), but the venue itself is very nice and the staff is basically friendly. They make sure the crowd doesn't get too rowdy. But strangely they told us all to turn off the flash on our cameras - that wasn't happening, I kept mine on and wasn't given any trouble. Just watch out though, if you want to meet the band(s) afterward, they set up barricades outside which makes it significantly harder.
Review Source:I love this venue. The sound is amazing, the stage is huge but the floor space is surprisingly shallow, meaning the chances of being far from the stage and getting a poor view are almost 0.
I've seen Pinback and Alkaline Trio here and both were really amazing, and I'm super excited to see The Shins in May and Avett Brothers in July.
Did I mention there is a bar at every corner of venue? You never have to wait too awfully long.
They are drawing better and better acts too. Since Toads Place shut down, plleeeasse support this place so Richmond can keep getting amazing bands to play, instead of having to travel to DC or Norfolk.
This is exactly the kind of venue that Richmond needed to start bringing some better names to the area. Â The building is amazing inside and has sort of a ballroom feeling. Â The concert area is non-smoking which is amazing for the few of us left in Richmond that hate smoking. Â Drinks a little too pricey but that's expected at a concert venue. Â
I'm also happy to see the lineup they are pulling in. Â Seeing people like Minus the Bear make me smile about Richmond again.
This place is absolutely gorgeous. Â Went there for the first time this past Saturday to see the Denali reunion, and I wish this had been open when I lived in Richmond. Â Loved the balcony seating, which is a bit tight-fitting (tall people might be uncomfortable) but provides a terrific view of the stage. Â I initially thought the acoustics seemed a little muddied upstairs, but I'm not an expert by any means, and I thought the final act (Denali) sounded wonderful so that's all that matters.
I would have given it 5 stars if not for the extremely rude employee on the 2nd floor who was a total b*&ch (pardon my language) about flash photography. Â Now, I'm one to always follow the rules, but 1) I didn't know flash photography wasn't allowed (I don't recall seeing any signs) and 2) Â I took only two flash photos (and of those two, only one was pointed at the stage; the other was of my sister and her boyfriend during an intermission). Â
Is it really that difficult for an employee to speak to an adult ticket holder maturely and without an abrasive tone? Seriously.
The National is a much needed Music Oasis for Richmond. Â Although many have been working for years to bring live music to Richmond, The National use their expertise to bring bands to Richmond on a much larger scale than has ever happened before.
While perhaps they opened before they were truly ready and all amenities for customers and bands were truly ready, every show I've attended has been an ideal experience from the moment I walked in the door. Â The venue looks and sounds amazing, and I know that as the continue to put the finishing touches on the club (Marque, restaurant, much touted band amenities) the experience will only improve.
I love that it's smoke-free! Very rare for Richmond venues of any type. The room is deceptively small -- packs in quite a few people, and thanks to the slanted floor, most everyone can see the performers on stage just fine.
The drinks are over-priced ($5 for a plastic cup full of Yuengling) and the beer selection is poor (Yuengling being the only tolerable one), but you kind of have to expect that in a place like this.
The bathrooms are clean and sufficiently large. I like that there is a parking deck next door -- made getting in and out of the neighborhood quick and relatively painless.
Kudos to the security folks for responding quickly to problems and booting drunk jerks out of the venue. Go to listen and have fun, not to be an ass and start fights!
Went here for the first time tonight.  I was surprised to find  it  was much smaller than I thought it was going to be from the outside.  Big balcony and boxes upstairs.  The main floor is slanted so shorties can see from 10 or 15 deep.  And it's smoke-free.  NICE!  There are two bars, with ladies bartending near the men's bathroom and men near the ladies' room.  Co-winky-dink?  I doubt it....  The bathrooms are huge and clean.  That can be hard to come by here in the RVA, so I always appreciate that. The sound was good and the historical rehab was tastefully done.
My only caveats- 1) It needs some kind of signage out side! Â You could drive right by it several times before you realize it. Â
2) I took my son to see his dad play. Â One bar charged me $4 for his pineapple juice, the other bar gave it to me for free. Â Hmmmmm...
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