Photo: Deposit Photos
If music is an interest, then Richmond is the place to be. Spread around the city are venues with the right atmospheres to have a fun time out at. Here is a list of five places that have their calendars packed with performances over the summer and offer affordable tickets. Visit their websites for more information.
The Camel, 1621 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220
The Camel is on the outskirts of the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. The entry door is covered in stickers, the windows are decorated with posters and their signature logo of a camel laying down.
There is a small gate creating an area that allows for patio seating out front, but more tables are available inside. Inside is split between two sections: the left side is where the stage is found, and the right has the bar and most of the seating.
Food and drinks are available at the bar. The stage for performances is about a foot off the ground, this creates a very personal performance. The walls inside are adorned with a few pieces of art and finished in a light-colored paint, the floors are classic hardwood.
The Broadberry, 2729 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220
Near the corner of North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, going down West Broad, is where The Broadberry is located. Recognizable with its all-black painted building connected to a beige Check City store. The interior follows the same dark theme as the exterior with mostly black walls. Painted inside is the slogan “Virginia is for Music Lovers” in white and red, giving a nice contrast to the black walls.
Hanging from the ceiling are chandelier light fixtures over the tables lining the side wall, this allows open space in the middle for the crowd to gather before the stage. The Broadberry has a bar that offers food and drinks, more seating is available on their outdoor patio. A show to look forward to is on July eight, Fear of Music: A Talking Heads Tribute is performing. Tickets are priced at twelve dollars.
The National, 708 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
This venue is part of the Business District, a block away from The Library of Virginia. It’s classic looking on the outside with a marquee displaying the name and date of performers. The National has a more traditional concert venue setup.
There is a large stage with plenty of room in the audience area. General admission tickets and seating tickets can be bought. The general admission section is on the ground floor, in front of the stage; the tickets for seats are on the second-floor balcony area overlooking the entire venue. There are more than one bars in The National to buy beverages and pizza by the slice.
Richmond Music Hall, 623 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Also in the Business District, Richmond Music Hall is attached to the Capital Ale House restaurant. The two places are in business together so when visiting the Richmond Music Hall website, it will say Capital Ale House as well. Inside the music venue there are wooden floors and exposed brick walls.
There is a bar to order food and drinks at, tables are against the side walls for a place to sit and enjoy while still being able to see the stage. There is open space in front of the stage all the way back to the entrance, this leaves enough room to be comfortable, even with a crowd.
The Canal Club, 1545 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
The Canal Club is in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond. The building can be mistaken for a warehouse, keep an eye out for a large colorful mural on one side. The Canal Club layout is an open concept to fit more people into one show. Tables with seats are spread out, drinks are available and a limited selection of food to choose from.
The stage is not perfectly visible from all sections, people and poles could be blocking eyesight, but screens to display the performance are in those areas. There is not much to the décor, but the multi-colored strobe lights make up for it.
Richmond is a city that embraces the differences between people, allowing for a diverse and fun area to visit or live in. This creates an abundance of activities here; everyone is sure to find at least one thing that appeals to them. Hopefully, this website helps you find things to your taste.
This story is written by Ashleigh Nail, a 20-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University student. She is a rising junior majoring in English, with a minor in professional writing and editing in hopes to enter the fields of copywriting, editing, and publishing upon graduating. She now resides in Richmond, Virginia but was born and raised in Winchester, Virginia. Ashleigh is grateful to be writing for RVA on the Cheap and is looking to gain much-needed professional experience.
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