Ed 373: WINE STROLL, RIFF TIX, CUSHY UPGRADES
Powered by Bingo Beer Co — new menu items have landed, Cheat Code Bevs are flowing, and the weekly lineup is stacked: trivia every Tuesday & Thursday, plus bingo every Wednesday & Sunday 🎉 Plan your visit now!
Hello!
Back with another week of RVA social scoop. My family was in town this past weekend, so naturally, I took them on a little tour around the city. We caught live music over dinner at Brambly Park, sipped cocktails at Cirrus Vodka, had a hearty meal at LUNCH.SUPPER!, and wrapped the night with drinks at Jardin. But the highlight? Shooting pool at Don’t Look Back 🎱 My parents play in a few leagues back in PA, so it was the perfect spot — pool’s $10/hr before 5 pm and $15/hr after. Highly recommend for a fun night out!
That was my weekend highlight reel — but the real fun is what’s ahead.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including run club grants, a savory addition to Carytown, s sneak peek of a new Scott’s Addition spot, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: AM clouds/PM sun; high of 71°, low of 56°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 79°, low of 55°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 80°, low of 55°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6:35 - 10 pm: RVAX MEMBER MEETUP: RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS VS HARTFORD
Thursday, 5:30 - 8 pm: MUSIC AT MAIN STREET STATION
Friday, 1 - 5 pm: HAMMERS & ALES: CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
CITY GUIDES
1. THE TRENDSPOTTER: SEPTEMBER 2025
2. THE FAMILY CALENDAR: SEPTEMBER 2025
3. THE BEST RESTAURANTS & BARS IN RICHMOND FOR CATCHING THE GAME
Image Source: Maymont
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Barb: Maymont’s baby porcupette now has a name: Barb. The little porcupine, sister to Sandy, officially got her moniker this past weekend after more than 10,000 people voted. You can visit Barb and Sandy at The Robins Nature Center—admission is $10.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Celladora Wines
Image Source: Richmond Animal League
Image Source: Babes of Carytown
Image Source: Little Nickel
SOCIAL NEWS
Run Clubs, Rejoice!: Sports Backers just launched a new Run Club Grant Program to help local running and walking clubs grow, connect, and inspire active lifestyles across RVA. Clubs can apply for reimbursable grants of up to $300 (September 2–16), plus gain access to extras like Sports Backers’ Warehouse Day this October, featuring hydration, race swag, and more. Awards will be announced later this month—apply here. Thinking of lacing up, but not sure where to start? Kelsey rounded up 15+ run clubs across Richmond in our guide—perfect for finding your crew. (Press release)
Double the votes, double the paws: Richmond Animal League’s beloved Calendar Contest is in its final stretch, and thanks to a $10,000 match, every vote (just $1 each!) now goes twice as far to help pets in need. The top 12 pets will earn a spot in the 2026 calendar, with the top vote-getter snagging the cover. Voting closes September 27 at RAL’s Fall Fest—cast your vote or enter your pet here. (Press release)
Sip your way down Lombardy: Every Tuesday, The Lombardy Wine Stroll invites you to sip $8 pours (full & half) at Susie’s, Celladora, and Jardin. Each month features a fun theme with wines you won’t usually find by the glass—a perfect chance to explore the block, sip something unique, and enjoy a rotating selection of special wines with friends. (Susie’s)
Richmond lost a true icon last week: On September 2, 2025, Vicky Hester, longtime owner of Babes of Carytown and devoted LGBTQ+ advocate, passed away at 71 after a long battle with cancer. For nearly five decades, Hester kept one of the nation’s oldest lesbian bars thriving, creating a space that held a community together and touched countless lives. She is survived by her wife, Ashley Rueger-Hester, and their dog, Charlie. On September 14 from 4–8 pm at Babes of Carytown, friends, family, and the community will gather for Vicky’s Disco Dance, a heartfelt celebration of her life, legacy, and the incredible influence she had on Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community. (Babes of Carytown)
Sit Back and Relax: The Byrd Theatre just leveled up its comfort game with brand-new seats—goodbye, tiny 1928-era chairs, hello roomy, cushy upgrades! After months of balcony-only seating while crews tackled the downstairs sections, the theater is back to full capacity, and moviegoers are loving it. Executive Director Ben Cronly says that better seats were the number one request from visitors, so this was a big win. Next on the Byrd’s wishlist: a replica of the iconic vertical “BYRD” sign in time for the 100th anniversary in 2028. (Richmond BizSense)
Petersburg favorite Griffin Lounge is expanding to Carytown! Owner Faris Sanabani is opening Griffin Coffee and Bakery in the former Claudia’s Bake Shop space. The new spot will focus on specialty pastries and Middle Eastern-inspired coffee, featuring chocolate, pistachio, and strawberry croissants, baklava, Turkish delight, and unique drinks like sand-brewed and husk coffee. Sanabani sources coffee beans from Yemen and brings bold, distinctive flavors to every cup. Slated to open this fall, Griffin Coffee and Bakery promises a sweet and savory addition to Carytown’s evolving food scene. (Richmond Biz Sense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🌴Little Nickel is now open for dinner on Sundays. (Little Nickel)
🐬Get a sneak peek of Bar Buoy this Thursday, September 11, from 5–9 pm at Black Lodge. (Chef Brittanny Anderson)
🍷Dinner Party launched a wine club. (Dinner Party)
Image Source: Richmond International Film Festival
Weekly Giveaway
Richmond International Film Festival
RIFF, one of the largest international competitive film festivals in the Mid-Atlantic, brings more than 160 cutting-edge film premieres to Richmond, plus nightly local, national, and international music performances, panels and Q&As, the red carpet awards, mixers, and more, all of which usher the spirit of Hollywood into RVA.
This week, we’re giving away four tickets to the red carpet opening film premiere of OMAHA, featuring special guests, on Tuesday, September 23, at 7 pm at the Byrd Theatre. You’ll also get four tickets to TASTE THE REVOLUTION with special guest Mahershala Ali and director Daniel Klein on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30 pm at the Byrd. Plus, enjoy another film premiere of your choice during festival week!
To enter, tell us: what's your favorite movie?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Meredith D., for winning the Parlay giveaway!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 14 new members this week: Robby R., Laura W., Monique A., Liz B., Jessa M., Robert M., Alison C., Ru P., Courtney T., Carolyn L., Amanda G., Justin H., Brooke L., Michael S., we’re so glad you’re here!
It takes a village, so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 373 of The Weekly Insider.
See you on the ‘gram!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Bingo Beer Co for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
