GAYRVA.COM's Best of Gay Richmond 2012 by Kevin Clay

BEST OF GAY RICHMOND TAKE A SEAT FOR YOUR FAVeS IN NIGHTLIFE, SHOPPING & MORE 1 2012-2013, ISSUE 1, GAYRVA.COM

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THE BEST OF GAY RICHMOND 13

CONTENTS

Studio Arielle

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We saved a seat at the table for you. In these pages are the most affirming and most entertaining places to be seen and people to see as selected by our readers. By Kevin Clay & Karen Newton

ABOUT THE COVER

From left to right, Sharon Husbands, Raul Cantu, Ayana Obika-Clairborne, Phil Clark and Amy Alderman celebrate over dinner. Photography by Brianna Townsend | Studio Arielle studioarielle.com Photo Shoot was held at the home of Michael L. Maszaros, owner of Cabin Creek Interiors www.cabincreekva.com Styling by Michael L. Maszaros Creative Director: Christopher Murphy www.christopherlmurphy.com

FEATURE

RICHMOND TRIANGLE PLAYERS

BEST OF GAY RICHMOND

14 LIVING 18 SHOPPING 25 FOOD AND DRINK 28 NIGHTLIFE

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Susan Segura and Hermelinda Cortes paint the town pink!

CONSUMER GUIDE

Your inside guide to

MUSEUMS, RESTAURANTS AND MORE. GAYRVA.COM

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EDITOR & PUBLISHER Kevin Clay CREATIVE DIRECTOR / DESIGN Christopher Murphy ONLINE ARTS EDITOR Matthew Miller

LIFESTYLE EDITOR Holly Gordon

NEWS & VIEWS EDITOR Jessica Shook CONTRIBUTORS Nick Artrip, Annie Brown, Karen Bowman, Chad Brown, Brian Burns & Judd Proctor, Kenneth Byrd, Anthony Chatman, Josh Epperson, Francis Foy, Natalie Gates, Robin Gorsline, Michael Hamar, Jon Henry, Kimberly Hollon, Erik Lampmann, Jonathan Lebolt, Justin Lowenhagen, Jen Maciulewicz, Michael Maszaros, Shawn McNulty, Richard Medford, Gary Nelson, Karen Newton, Natalie Anne Porter, Apryl Prentiss, Edward Strickler Jr., Shera St. Clair, Sterling Stokes, Lilian Studevant, Annie Tobey, Jerry Williams, Jason Yu PHOTOGRAPHERS Jesse Harper, Beth Harris, Wolf Spirit, Studio Arielle, Dawn Yilmez ILLUSTRATOR Jamie Douglas ADVISORY BOARD Phil Crosby, Holly Gordon, Andy Hudgins, Bill Martin, Robey Martin, Matthew Miller, Stanley Moreira, Christopher Murphy, Ruth Perkinson, Jessica Shook, Jason Yu ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Rachel Whaley & Ted Gregson | advertising@gayrva.com WEB TEAM CO+LAB Multimedia

INTERN Rachel Williams

CONTACT US G MAGAZINE | GAYRVA.COM PO Box 6212, Richmond, VA 23230 804.453.0359 editor@gayrva.com The views expressed in the following pages and advertisements are not necessarily those of GAYRVA.COM.

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Dawn Yilmez

20 YEARS

Founding Managing Director Michael Gooding at the Richmond Triangle Player’s 1300 Altamont Avenue Theater

The show must go on:

Richmond Triangle Players celebrates two decades as the only theater troop in the Mid-Atlantic dedicated to the LGBT genre. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: By Karen Newton

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Michael Gooding is a man with staying power. Back in 1992, he and his friend Steve Earle were working at Fielden’s when Earle complained that he didn’t get to do the kinds of plays he wanted to, namely gay-themed ones. Richmond was so conservative at the time that it just didn’t seem possible.

Gooding approached Fielden’s management and asked if they could do a three-night run on the third floor, preferably a gay play that would appeal to their clientele. Gooding, recently relocated from Florida, remembered seeing Harvey Fierstein’s “Safe Sex” there, a trilogy of one acts about the ravages of AIDS on the gay community, very much a hot topic. After figuring out how to get the rights to the play (at a whopping $40 per night), they built a rudimentary stage, got two kitchen light strips for a lighting system and rented chairs, they sold out all three nights, donating the proceeds to the Fan Free Clinic. Gooding, Earle and Marcus Miller had done the unthinkable. They produced the first gay play done in Richmond and on the top floor of an after-hours club. And it had been an unqualified success. Gooding, who had a career background in restaurants like Bill’s Barbecue and teaching, had found his new calling. Their audience wanted them to keep it up, so over that Spring and Summer, they decided to start a non-profit theater company. By Fall, they had selected three plays and created the Richmond Triangle Players. The triangle logo came from the Fierstein play’s cover: two guys on a see-saw with a triangle as the fulcrum. Going forward on a shoestring, each of the three founding members would put in $300 annually to cover the costs of production rights and materials. The only problem was that each night they had to put the

stage together, set up fifty chairs and then take everything down afterwards. It was a lot of work and time-consuming, but they persevered. When Fielden’s got into financial trouble, Gooding went to the owners, concerned about not being able to do their upcoming play schedule. They worked out a deal to get a lease at a reduced rate and hung on, but the writing was on the wall. An after-hours club was a dying business and receipts were dropping. By 2007, they had a $20,000 reserve and Gooding had semi-retired. “My position was, we’ve been doing this for 15 years but we weren’t developing a new and growing audience. The bathrooms were terrible, we couldn’t sell alcohol because of it being an after-hours club and we weren’t ADA-compliant, so we couldn’t qualify for grants,” Gooding recalls. The board had a study done about what was needed and a big gala was held to gauge interest and promote fundraising. They lucked into getting Phil Crosby as Managing Director and his background in theater and nonprofit management was another step forward for RTP. Gooding and company set a goal of a half a million dollars to get RTP a new home. As a result of the gala, Robb Moss came to Gooding, saying he had an option on a building in Scott’s Addition. It was a former car radiator repair shop with no air conditioning, but it would be perfect with a major renovation. “Sam Daniels of Daniels Construction came up after a show talking about how bad the bathrooms [at Fielden’s] were. He’d done the renovation of the Governor’s Mansion. I asked him if we could get a better price than half a million to redo the building. He

said he could do it for $350,000 and we figured it would take two years to raise those funds. We discontinued shows at Fielden’s while we began fundraising. And then the recession hit,” Gooding explains. Not sure where the economy was going, they got with Daniels and trimmed the budget even further. And while they missed the target date for their first show in the new space, the benefitted from a lot of donated labor and by using a lot of what they already had in terms of materials. “Every bit of painting was done by volunteers, mostly the Richmond Men’s Chorus,” Gooding shares proudly. Gooding was adamant about attracting theater goers. “We didn’t want to become everyone else’s theater company. People want a total experience. We wanted to be able to have cocktail hours, receptions, have people able to sit at a table and have a drink during the play. Then for those who want a more typical theater experience, we have regular theater seating, too.” Their mission was simple enough. “We wanted to do plays that were funny, that were serious and that looked back at our history,” he says with passion. With six main stage productions a year, RTP has only six weekends a year where something is not going on. They even lease their space to other theater companies. “For a little company like us, we’ve done amazingly well,” Gooding says with obvious pride. “We’ve been very resourceful.” He would know because even after back surgery which severely limited his mobility, he would be sitting in a chair among the contractors working to finish the building, asking questions and

directing them. “Once we opened, a woman came up to me and asked if I ever thought it would turn out so wonderful. Yes, I told her, it’s exactly what I’d imagined. Just what I wanted,” he says. “I consider it my legacy. If I never accomplish anything else, this is my legacy.” It’s a dream come true.

For more information about the Richmond Triangle Players, visit: www.rtriangle.org

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WINNER: MAYMONT Favorite Place To Take Kids/Favorite Park A nature center, historic buildings, a petting zoo, gardens and plenty of other green make the 100-acre Maymont our reader’s favorite park and a family-friendly destination. A must-see during your visit is the Japanese Gardens with waterfall, bamboo forest and coy pond. 1700 Hampton Street, 804-358-7166, maymont.org

BEST OF GAY RICHMOND

“We absolutely love Carytown. It’s such an open an environment. There’s no judgement when we go there. We love going to Cartwheels & Coffee. We also love going to the museums, park and the zoo.” - Marilyn Collazos

Marilyn Collazos, Melissa Hartley with daughter Addison Collazos-Hartley at Maymont. Collazos and Hartley moved to Chester in January 2011 and gave birth to Addison in May of last year.”

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STAFF PICK: Favorite Way To Meet People The Richmond LGBT Meetup Group Since 2008, this group has been hosting unique meeting opportunities for its membership of 500. With carpools and caravans to out-of-town Prides, field trips to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, cocktail hours, dinners and concerts, there are plenty of chances to make friends while exploring the city. meetup.com/gaypros-296

Favorite LGBT Non-Profit

Winner: ROSMY

ROSMY’s Executive Director Beth Panilaitis & Youth Programs Director Lee Steube 2300 Westwood Avenue, (804) 644-4390 Dawn Yilmez

News That Makes You Most Likely To Flee To DC

Winner: Ultrasound Bill 2. Bob McDonnell & Ken Cuccinelli Headlines 3. Tracy Thorne-Begland Judgeship Controversy

2. Fan Free Clinic 3. Diversity Thrift/Gay Community Center of Richmond For over 20 years, ROSMY has provided support for LGBTQ youth in Central Virginia. As a youth center with facilitated group meetings, the non-profit also provides sensitivity training to professionals. Executive Director Beth Panilaitis says the organization resonates with the community because so many understand what it’s like to be an LGBT teen. “Everyone wishes they had a place like ROSMY when they were a youth,” she says. “Now, we have former youth who are adults coming back to serve in a variety of volunteer capacities.” 2311 Westwood Ave., 804-644-4390, rosmy.org

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Virginia knows how to get in the media spotlight and make “The Daily Show”. During the 2012 General Assembly, a bill that would require women to get a transvaginal ultrasound prior to having an abortion, stirred women’s rights groups and began making the late-night comedy circuit. Gov. Bob McDonnell backed off the bill’s original language encouraging lawmakers to lighten it up after protests and a national uproar. A modified version of the bill passed.

Jamie

Dougl

“I believe there is a very lively spirit of creativity in Richmond not only in the LGBT community, but in the wider community.”

- Robin Gorsline Pastor of MCC Richmond

Favorite u-haul ready neighborhood

WINNER: THE FAN 2. Museum District 3. Church Hill

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Jamie

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When you’re ready to take that relationship to the next level fast, Richmond’s Fan neighborhood is tops for new couples. Maybe it’s the charming assortment of restaurants and bars scattered between historic row houses and parks. Also - check out one of the district’s hidden gems - Paradise Park through the alleyway by 100 N. Allen St. Regardless lovebirds, when you make that move, just be sure to abide by those parking signs.

Favorite Faith Community

Winner: Metropolitan Community Church MCC 2. First Unitarian Universalist 3. Richmond Friends Meeting Richmond’s Metropolitan Community Church celebrates its 35th anniversary next year. The key to its longevity according to Rev. Robin Gorsline? “We have a very open spirit. From the moment you walk in the door, all are welcome, there’s a real sense of joy in our diversity and in our openness to all points of view.” Gorsline moved to Richmond nine years ago to begin serving as pastor. Today, MCC worldwide continues to help the Christian church understand the connection between spirituality and sexuality. 2501 Park Avenue, 804.353.9477, mccrichmond.org

Dawn Yilmez

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favorite Spot For A Grindr Meetup

Winner: Starbucks

Grindr - also our reader pick for Favorite App - allows users to geo-locate other gay men through their social network of over 4 million users worldwide. Oh child - play it safe and grab that skinny non-fat latte at Starbucks when meeting a new boo.

Party Planner with A Purpose

STAFF PICK: With her company Gratitude Rising Events, Ayana Obika-Clayborne knows how to draw a crowd. Her All Girl White Party in July 2012 raised money for SAGE Central Virginia and filled a gap for women-centric events. @gratituderising on Twitter

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Favorite LGBT-Friendly Doctor

Dr. Robert Mayfield Favorite LGBT-Friendly Workplace

Winner: Capital One 2. VCU 3. University of Richmond This Richmond-area employer supports LGBT associates internally through an employee resource group, the LGBT Network, and externally by providing benefits that help to meet the specific needs of the community. “Capital One has created an environment where LGBT employees feel heard, valued and respected. Through the LBGT network, Capital One provides a supportive forum for associates, where they are able to see that they are cared for by their employer,” says Kelly Rosato, network lead for Capital One’s LGBT Network.

Favorite Gym

Winner: Golds Gym Willow Lawn 2. VCU Cary Street Gym 3. Am Fam Richmond’s Willow Lawn location keeps the focus on fitness by always upgrading its facilities. The recent addition of a pool, new cross-training facility, and renovated group fitness rooms make this West End gym a state-of-the art place to work that body. 1601 Willow Lawn Dr., 804.285.4653, goldsgym.com

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With an early enthusiasm for learning, Dr. Robert Mayfield found his passion in caretaking. “A great physician truly cares about their patients, listens to them and does the best they can for them,” he says. His advice for an LGBT person looking for a new physician is awareness of comfort-level. “If you cannot share what is important to you with your doctor, you shouldn’t see that doctor.” Midlothian Family Practice, 3000 Watercove Road, Midlothian, VA, 804.744.0200

Favorite Charity Event

Winner: Fun For A Cause 2. Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner 3. ROSMY Springtime The bars shut down and performers unite for this annual fundraiser each March at the Renaissance Conference Center. It’s Richmond’s biggest drag show and has raised more than $50,000 for LGBT causes since its 2009 inception. Event chair Natasha Carrington says the event has garnered support from businesses far outside the LGBT community. “We don’t want anyone to feel left out! I think that’s part of why it’s so popular,” she says. “People can come and be themselves and know for that night that we’re all there for the same reason -- to give back!” funforacause.com

Wolf Spirit Photography

Dawn Yilmez

Capital One volunteers at ROSMY

Zakia Jemaceye performs at 2012â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fun For A Cause

Ayana Obika-Clayborne

Dawn Yilmez

Studio Arielle

Dr. Robert Mayfield

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SHOPPING

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our readers would love to see more of Next Trend In/Next Trend Out What & what’s got to go.

OUT

Employment Discrimination State-Run ABC Stores AIDS Froyo Mustaches Not Going Out Until After 11 p.m. Tight Pants Hipsters Jean Shorts Smelly People Hookah Tattoos

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s by Jamie

Illustration

Douglas

Favorite Adult Toy Store

Winner: Taboo

Dawn Yilmez

Marriage Equality River Front Development Nightlife Downtown Shopping Recycling Public Transportation Topless Sunbathing Bike Lanes A True Gayborhood Pride Parades Tight Rope Walking In The Park Tattoos

If it’s legal in the sheets, you’ll find something here according to owner Alison Miller Barber. “There’s nothing that we don’t encourage people to explore.” Known for a selection of DVDs starting at $5, she keeps a big selection of gay, lesbian, and bi titles in the mix and Taboo also carries products geared towards gay men and lesbians. Barber opens a second Taboo in late 2012 turning the former Broadway Books in Midlothian into a two-story space. 6021 W. Broad St., 804.440.8228, taboolicious.com

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FAVORITE Place For A Gift

Favorite Toy Store For Kids of All Ages

Winner: Mongrel

2. For The Love of Chocolate 3. Chop Suey This RVA mainstay opened 20 years ago to give sophisticated consumers an alternative to bland Hallmark sentiments. With an array of gay-themed cards and gifts, they have become a destination for locals. “It is a real joy to be able to offer things that we find humorous, edgy and challenging, beautiful and utilitarian and have customers respond with appreciation. We really enjoy hearing laughter all day long while we work,” says owner Stan McCulloch. 2924 W. Cary St., 804.342.1272, mongrelonline.com

Dawn Yilmez

World of Mirth,

Jeff Kroll works the Crossroad’s Truck

Staff Pick: South of The James Market

The South of the James Market lets shoppers buy local from a mix of farmers, artisans, and fresh food vendors. Jeff Kroll, owner of Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, is a vendor at the Saturday morning market and says he loves the energy of the crowd each week. The secret to this event’s success? Size matters. “They allow it to be big,” Kroll says. “The organizers and participants feel it’s important to have a lot of local suppliers and participants.” Saturday mornings from May through December, 8 a.m. - noon. Forest Hill Ave. & 42nd St., sojmarket.com

Every city should have a store this fun because where else are you going to find a robot when you need one? Whether you’re four or forty, don’t be surprised to find yourself chuckling and smiling as you browse. From squirrel underpants to dashboard hula girls to gay-themed merchandise, this is the place we need to buy the toys we never had. And the funhouse mirror is guaranteed to make you think twice about how you look in those pants. 3005 West Cary Street, (804) 353-8991

Favorite Organic Market

Winner: Ellwood Thompson’s Ellwood Thompson is offering up local produce and products while developing a loyal following for eating and shopping local. From bulk spices to local honey to Virginia wines, ET has always made it easy to eat sustainably and deliciously. As a bonus, vegetarians, vegans and the gluten-intolerant are guaranteed an array of options at the daily hot bar. 4 N. Thompson St., 804.359.7525, ellwoodthompsons.com

Dawn Yilmez

2. Whole Foods 3. Trader Joe’s

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Hermelinda Cortes Field Organizer, Southerners On New Ground (SONG) SONG has been reaching out to LGBTQ people in rural southern communities for 20 years around racial and economic justice issues. Hermelinda Cortes is a Virginia field organizer for the Atlantabased organization. “We work hard to be a multiage, multi-cultural organization,” Cortes said. “We don’t feel like queer issues are just queer issues.” In 2012, Cortes and her team issued a report on the community needs after spending 12 months interviewing 500 LGBTQ Virginians. songrva.tumblr.com

GIRLS

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Byrd TheatRE: Favorite Theater

Susan Segura Volunteer, Girls Rock! RVA Girls Rock! RVA empowers girls age 8-16 through music during a week-long summer camp. In 2012, they completed their second camp that involves creative writing and live performance. Susan Segura has helped produce fundraisers since the group started in 2010 and helps coordinate the annual camp. “Knowing that there are kids within the Greater Richmond area that are low income and wanting to give those girls a space to express themselves creatively and giving them something that I didn’t have when I was younger. It’s a positive creative space where no one will let you give up.” girlsrockrva.tumblr.com

We followed two women actively involved in the community on a journey through Carytown when they caught a moment of downtime.

NIGHTOUT

PHOTOS: Beth Harris

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Babe’s of Carytown: Favorite Spot To Witness A Breakup

Babe’s of Carytown: Favorite Spot To Meet Lesbians

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FOOD & DRINK

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Owner, Todd Boyd

Favorite Restaurant For A First Date

Favorite Restaurant For An Out-of-Towner

Winner: Selba

Winner: Can Can

2. Ipanema 3. Avalon When you’re talking about impressing someone new, you need a restaurant with options. At Selba, you can choose from the lively vibe at the enormous bar, take a cozy table in the dining room or head to the garden room in the back, where everyone looks good under the hanging Tiffany lamps. If it’s a Saturday night date, it’s even better because there’s live music at 10 p.m. You’ll practically be guaranteed a second date. 2416 W. Cary St., 804.358.2229, selbarichmond.com All Photos by Dawn Yilmaz

2. Bottom’s Up 3. Comfort With its true Parisian atmosphere, zinc bar and extensive menu, this place will impress even visitors from bigger cities. And since it’s open every day, all day, you can bring your guests here for a continental breakfast, lunch, dinner or even drinks because the bar stays open late. Like any good French brasserie, the mussels and frites are outstanding while the breads and pastries worthy of even a European visitor. And the true French hot chocolate is positively ooh-la-la. 3120 W. Cary St., 804.358.7274, cancanbrasserie.com.

Favorite Hot Dog Favorite Taco

Winner: Nacho Mama’s Chicken, beef, pork and bean tacos all rule at this longtime Carytown spot with the hottest patio under the sun. But regulars insist that the grilled mahi-mahi tacos with sour cream lime sauce and the tender and flavorful carnitas cubanos are the way to go. But let’s be real here; having over two dozen flavors of margaritas is a powerful incentive to stop by for lunch, dinner or just a cocktail, no matter which taco you choose to eat. 3449 West Cary Street, 804.358.6262, nachomamasva.com

Winner: City Dogs No surprise here, the top seller is the Richmond Original, a marinated Thurmann’s dog with mustard, onions and chili (and a steal of a deal on Tuesdays when it’s only a buck all day!). Coming in second is the Cincinnati Dog which boasts Cincinnati chili and shredded cheese, the perfect dog to enjoy with their array of bottled and draft beers. Not a suds lover? Their milkshakes are top notch and make a perfect sweet/salty pairing with a dog. 1316 East Cary Street, 804.343.3647 or 1309 West Main Street, 804.359.3647.

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Muy caliente:

dfrey’s Gigi Monroe, Go

Favorite Spot For Brunch Beverages

Winner: Godfrey’s 2. Millie’s 3. Tarrants Nothing beats the original. According to co-owner Brian Thomas, it’s the atmosphere and energy of the crowd that makes this the place to be every Sunday. “We have great performers but we can’t do it with just the performers,” he says. The key to any good brunch? Drinks! Here try a Bacon Bloody Mary or Malibu Mimosa for twists on the original. Sundays by reservation. Godfrey’s, 308 E. Grace St., 804.648.3957, godfreysva.com.

hy Wolf Spirit Photograp

Liz McGaha, Babe’s

Studio Arielle

Favorite Spot For Day Drinking

“Since I’ve been here over 20 years, it’s grown a lot culturally...It’s so easy to live in Richmond. It’s smalltown oriented and focused on supporting local businesses. I love to travel, but it always feels good to come home.” - Raul Cantu - Nacho Mama’s, Owner

Winner: Babe’s of Carytown

It’s not just that Babe’s has a great patio, which, of course, they do, but it’s what you can do on that patio. There’s a volleyball court, you can play cornhole and the cheap drinks start at 4 p.m. On really sunny days, umbrellas may go up and at other times, customers forgo the umbrellas and use the afternoon to soak up some sunshine. Our readers apparently love a drink and a chance to work on their tan. 3166 W. Cary St. 804.355.9330 Dawn Yilmez

Honorable Mention: The River

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Soda a k d o 1. V Island g n o L 2. olitan p o m s 3. Co ini rt 4. Ma on Ginger rb 5. Bou

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Several readers love grabbing a cooler and hopping over to the James. With easy access to riverside parks whether through the Belle Isle foot bridge, Pony Pasture or Texas Beach, who could ask for a better view when sipping on your -- umm -- fruit punch? Jamie

Dougl

Girl’s gotta watch her figure. The Vodka Soda is a safe-bet and guilt-free according

to Barcode bartender and reader favorite Matt Butler. “Vodka’s extremely versatile. You can dress it up with a splash of cranberry. People are shying further away from the processed stuff.” Butler says he’ll have a vodka soda to cleanse his palette. Grey-Goose and Smirnoff have also started producing premium vodka flavors that pair nicely with soda that a Sprite would overpower.

SOUTHERN CHARM

When it comes to southern cuisine, Richmonders have been flocking to Comfort and, since late last year, to Pasture. The affable man behind both places is Chef Jason Alley, who is the first to admit that he really enjoys what he does. “I really love being with the guests and watching them enjoy their experience.” If you’ve been in one of his eateries, you probably noticed how good the music was and that’s no accident. “It is really important. We like to listen to pretty specific stuff, like hip country, new school R&B and rock. You just have to gauge the feel of the room and do what you can to create the best environment for the guests.” So guests are happy and so is Alley. “My life is supremely rad. I get to travel for work regularly, my wife and kids are amazing, I have two restaurants, and a third soon, that I’m super proud of. I’m a really lucky person. I can’t say it enough.” - Karen Newton Comfort, 200 West Broad Street, 804.780.0004, comfortrestaurant.com. Pasture, 416 East Grace Street, 804.780.0416, pasturerva.com. Jason Alley opens a second

Pasture in Charlottesville this winter.

Dawn Yilmaz

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Staff Pick

Favorite DJ,

Amy Alderman <<

Dawn Yilmaz

his Richmond native discovered her love for house music on the Florida party circuit. As a drummer with background in music theory, Alderman produces her own beats. Listen to her online weekly radio show Fridays from 8-10 p.m. at LegendsofFreeStyle.com

Dawn Yilmaz

Favorite Restaurant After A Night Out

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NIGHTLIFE

Winner: Third Street Diner

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2. Galaxy Diner 3. McLean’s

When the bars close on a Friday or Saturday night and you need to carb up after all that dancing or even just soak up the alcohol, this is the place to go. An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet runs from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and ensures that you’ll leave full and not be hungover in the morning.218 E. Main St., 804.788.4750, 3rd-street-diner.com.

One of Richmond’s favorite bartenders Matt Butler serves many happy hours at Barcode

Favorite Happy Hour

Winner: Barcode 2. Babe’s Of Carytown 3. Joe’s Inn Owner and general manager Brian Harris says the formula for a good happy hour is pretty simple. “It’s a good drink at a good price.” For over ten years, Barcode has served up one of the best happy hours in town. 6 E. Grace St., 804.648.2040

“You can stir somebody up just by clicking that like button.” Drag Queen Most Likely To Cause Drama on Facebook

Winner: Sharon Husbands “Somebody has to do it,” this plus-sized diva & DJ declares. Husbands says people take things too seriously on the social network when she’s simply calling people out when they’re in the wrong. Oh girl! Catch Husbands hosting the Fourth Friday Show at Babes of Carytown. sharonhusbands.com

Favorite “Straight” Place That’s A “Gay” Place

Favorite Event To Get Tipsy

Winner: Virginia PrideFest 2. Fourth Friday 3. Friday Cheers

National LGBT Pride Month may be in June, but Richmond gets another round of celebration in September with Virginia Pridefest. The outdoor festival brings together community supporters, non-profits, vendors and artisans. Beer, wine, food and live entertainment keeps the festival going into the evening and the bars keep the party going even later with their own offerings. VAPride.org

Winner: 2113 2. Mars Bar 3. New York Deli The nightspot on Tobacco Row screams South Beach and Manhattans. Readers have found something special behind the glowing orange bar. Welcoming to all, co-owner Justin Ayars said they didn’t target market the clientele although the doors are always open to all for special events and fundraisers. 2113 E. Main St, 804.343.2113, 2113main.com Honorable Mentions: Starbucks on Robinson, Whole Foods, Ellwood’s Market

2113

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“

It’s people watching and interaction in an adult environment, so you get to see the looser side of people. People are out to have fun so you get to experience that with them.

”

Favorite Bartender

Winner: Phil Clark, Godfrey’s 2. Matt Butler, Barcode 3. Liz McGaha, Babes of Carytown Tall, dark and tattooed, we watched Clark grow up as he made the transition from barback to bartender. “Godfrey’s was pretty much the first place that gave me a chance.” As for his favorite, he likes it simple. Stoli and soda. We’ll drink to that. Catch Clark Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Godfrey’s, 308 E. Grace St., 804.648.3957. godfreysva.com

Studio Arielle

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CONSUMER GUIDE

Bars & Clubs

Barcode 6 E. Grace St. Richmond, VA 23219 804.648.2040 barcodeva.net

Club Colours 534 N. Harrison St. Richmond, VA 23220 804.353.9776 facebook.com/pages/Club-534

Health & Wellness Massage Envy Spa - Willow Lawn 1601 Willow Lawn Dr. Richmond, VA 23230 804.440.0004 www.massageenvy.com Massage Envy Spa - Short Pump 4346 Pouncey Tract Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060 804.612.0540

Massage Envy - Commonwealth Centre 5201 Commonwealth Centre Pkwy, Suite D Midlothian, VA 23112 804.744.8440

Insurance & Financial Planning Shauna Brown New York Life 804.935.5367 shbrown@ft.newyorklife.com

Museums & Attractions Richmond Men’s Chorus & Richmond Women’s Chorus www.monumentcitymusic.org Richmond Symphony 612 E. Grace St. #401 Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 788-1212 richmondsymphony.com

Science Museum of Virginia 2500 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 804.864.1400 smv.org Virginia Opera 600 E. Grace St. Richmond, VA 23219 804.644.8168 vaopera.org

Real Estate Robb Moss Virginia Realty & Relocation 6726 Patterson Ave. Richmond, VA 23226 804.402.3504 robbmoss.com

Richmond Triangle Players 1300 Altamont Ave. Richmond, VA 23230 804.346.8113 rtriangle.org

Jamie Douglas

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Restaurants Bottoms Up 1700 Dock St. Richmond, VA 23223 804.644.4400 bottomsuppizza.com Capital Ale House Downtown 623 E. Main St. Richmond, VA 23219 804.780.2537 capitalalehouse.com Capital Ale House - Innsbrook 4024-A Cox Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060 Capital Ale House - Midlothian Village 13831 Village Place Dr. Midlothian, VA 23114

Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream - Forest Hill 3600 Forest Hill Ave. Richmond, VA 23225 804.355.3510 crossroadsrva.com Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream - VCU 26 N. Morris St. Richmond, Virginia 23220 804.231.2030 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Look Back 2929 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 804-353-8226 dontlookbackrva.com New York Deli 2920 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23221 804.358.3354 ny-d.com

Shopping Diversity Thrift 1407 Sherwood Ave. Richmond, VA 23220 804.353.8890 diversitythrift.org Mongrel 2924 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23221 804.342.1272 mongrelonline.com World of Mirth 3005 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23221 804.353.8991 worldofmirth.com

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