RJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar

Live music, cheap drinks, friendly staff, pool tables, darts, smokey atmosphere and slow service.

Ok.

There are not a lot of options in this area on a Sunday night. (Maybe there are, and we tourists just can't find them, equals out to the same thing.) However RJ's did not blow me away by any means.

We ended up here after going to another bar which was completely dead, so at least I can say this must be a decently popular place because it was fairly busy. They had PBR & Landmark on special. Neither very appealing to my personal tastes, but whatever. The bartender wasn't setting any land-speed records, but had a friendly attitude.

RJ's is split into a pool hall on one side and a bar/dining area on the other. The bar area and the pool hall were open; the tables were not. Since we had a big-ish group and not everyone wanted to play pool, that was kind of lame, especially as the only tables in the pool area are little 2-tops.

All of the pool tables were in use and there was a wait to use them, so if you're into playing pool, this place might be for you! Unfortunately coming from NC I was really put off by one major thing- it was SO SMOKY inside. I'm not used to people being allowed to smoke in bars anymore, and this place was packed with chain-smokers, there was no non-smoking section at all. Going outside was not an option because it was sleeting. I woke up with the worst sore throat imaginable.

Needless to say this is probably the MOST AWESOME BAR EVER for a certain type of person, it's just not my scene, so I won't be back.

RJs is a Sports Bar locally owned and operated in Newport News. There are two sides to the establishment with a bar in the middle. Both feature seating, but the left side has all the pool tables and darts whereas the right side is primarily focused on the entertainment. They have a really fun karaoke night that I definitely suggest checking out if you're into Karaoke.

RJs is located within a strip at the intersection of Jefferson and Denbigh. It's an unassuming place, but it's pretty large on the inside and there is a good mix of regulars and sports fans, and pool players, etc. The food is good, too. I would suggest checking out the chili, but be forewarned; it's pretty spicy!