Best Pubs in Richmond (Franklin, Forest: house, movies, live)

[AJNEOA]

Ok, so I've had the chance to get some feedback from a bunch of you on good restaurants around the Richmond, VA area. Now I want to see what everyone thinks about the pubs.

What are some of the best pubs around. Some criteria would be based on the following:

1. Drink selection (beers, liquors) and quality
2. Environment - including the people, staff and location
3. Music - whether it's live or just a great selection
4. Price - Maybe this matters, maybe it doesn't, but just in case it does.
5. Food - If there's good food-fare at the bar, then that's always a plus!

[richmondpics]

I went with British/Irish pubs...

My top three in order:

Rosie Connolly's - very authentic (I have family in Wales) and Tommy (the owner) is a really great guy. 17th street next to the Farmer's Market

Penny Lane Pub - 4th and Franklin, 2 floors, good fish and chips etc

Sine - but you already know about that

And totally separate from pubs... if you haven't been you MUST check out Capital Ale House downtown (between 5th and 6th on Main), particularly on a Friday. They have 50 or so beers rotating on tap at all times and as well as over 200 bottled beers... the beer menu alone is like 25 pages. The food is decent as well. Reason I say Friday is because they recently opened a music hall and host "Brews and Blues" on Friday's after work... and it's free! They also have a downstairs and an outdoor beer garden. Or.. you could check the website for a night that has music you're into and go then, but to enjoy the music on the music hall side will cost a few bucks.

[vasinger]

I concur with the above list. Although I don't really favor pubs since I don't drink (Southern Baptist) they still have great food.

Also O'Tooles on Forest Hill Ave.

[AJNEOA]

I've never been to the Capital Ale House, Rosie O'Connollys or O'Tooles. I loved Penny Lane. We finally made it there last week. The owner's a great guy. The Capital Ale House always seems to be busting at the seams with people. Does it get overly crowded on the weekend?

What do you think about Legends across the river? I haven't been to it yet, but I've heard the view is great. I also like their beers...they're very smooth. I've heard mixed reviews about the food there.

[WanderVA]

Legends is great - mainly for the beer and the large deck. The food is decent but not outstanding. They used to show movies outside on the deck but not sure if they still do that. The soft pretzels are delicious.

[richmondpics]

The deck at Legend's has one of the best views in town. I highly recommend it on a nice night.

[AJNEOA]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! Is there a particular local brewer (i.e. Legends or Richbrau) that's got great beer? I liked both of those when I tried them. Didn't know if there are any others that I should look into!

[richmondpics]

While not a Richmond brew, Dominion Ale from Ashburn Virginia has some pretty good beers.

There's also a smaller local brewer called Kelvin Brewery (owned by the owner of Old City Bar at 17th and Main St). When the Richmond Cold Storage is redeveloped, Kelvin will move the brewing operations into one of the buildings and have a brewpub as well.

And for those vodka drinkers, there's also a local distillery called Cirrus that makes a verrrry good Vodka:
Cirrus Vodka - The vodka connoisseur's vodka.

[AJNEOA]

Wow, I didn't know that Cirrus was a Richmond, VA company. Very cool!