Ah, Basic City Beer! Let me tell ya, sonny, that place is like a time machine. You step in, and suddenly you're whisked away to the good ol' days when folks wore suspenders and bowler hats, and the air smelled of pipe tobacco and adventure.Now, Reilly and Tyler, those two young whippersnappers, they joined me for a tipple at Basic City Beer. We each had two beers, and let me tell ya, those brews were smoother than a buttered biscuit on a Sunday mornin'. Reilly had a stout that was so dark, it looked like it'd been brewed in the depths of Hades. Tyler, bless his heart, went for a hoppy IPA that made his mustache twitch with delight.The place itself? Well, it's got that old wear house feel, like it's been around since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The wooden beams creak, and the walls whisper secrets of bygone days. And there she was, the lovely lady behind the bar, with eyes as bright as a harvest moon. She poured our beers with a grace that'd make a swan jealous, and she even let us sample 'em before we committed to a full pint. Ain't that hospitality for ya?Now, we didn't eat a lick while we were there. No sir, we were too busy exploring the back room. And let me tell ya, that back room is a treasure trove. Ping pong tables as far as the eye can see! Reilly and Tyler, they fancied themselves ping pong champions, but truth be told, they played like a couple of drunken squirrels tryin' to dance a jig. Balls were flyin', paddles were flailin', and laughter echoed off the walls like a chorus of tipsy angels.And don't get me started on the amenities! Two bathrooms, sonny! Not one, but two! You could take your pick: the one with the floral wallpaper that smells like grandma's potpourri, or the other one with the flickering light bulb that gives you a sense of impending adventure. And that shuffleboard table—oh, it's a thing of beauty. We slid those pucks like seasoned sea captains navigating treacherous waters.But the pièce de résistance? The bean bag game! You know the one, where you toss those little bags into a hole like you're flingin' corn at a barn door. Reilly and Tyler, they were fierce competitors. Faces red, brows furrowed, they chucked those bean bags with the determination of men who'd lost their spectacles in a haystack. And when one finally landed in the hole, they hooted and hollered like they'd won the lottery.And the beer, my friend? Oh, it flowed like a mountain stream after a spring rain. Smooth, crisp, and as refreshing as a dip in the swimming hole. I tell ya, I'd come back to Basic City Beer faster than a jackrabbit on a hot skillet. So, if you find yourself wanderin' those creaky floors, raise a glass to Reilly, Tyler, and that lovely lady behind the bar. And remember, sonny, life's too short to drink bad beer—so make it a Basic City brew, and you'll be grinnin' like a possum in a peach orchard! ?
Rebecca Ward
A wide open bar with lots of space, tables and games.
Sean Lane
Had a great time here with my family. Didn't order food or anything but just tried the drinks on tap. Their award winning dark lager is great and goes down smooth. Nice to get it on tap. Had a great buzzed afternoon here and would definitely come back with friends or something should they visit.
alo ali
I usually come here for the robot noises?. Beep boop. Last night they had jokes. They were pretty good.
Elaine Sharp
Craft beer was outstanding, the pizza and charcuterie was excellent, the staff friendly and helpful.
Vonda Dyrdahl
The beer was great. The food, especially the charcuterie board, was perfect. The atmosphere was fun and the people friendly.
Chris Eide
Good beer, good pizza, great atmosphere!
Sharon-Lee Smith
Good beer. Good pizza.
Nate Cleveland
Genuinely some of the best beer in Richmond. The competition is high in the city, but Basic manages to create a great atmosphere, while serving a wide array of great drinks. Great food, great drinks, with reasonable prices. We’re always happy to see friendly staff when we stop in for a beer and a pizza. This is a sleeper hit in the Manchester area that deserves all the love!
Anna Bastian
Pizza here is so good we forgot to take a picture before we devoured it!! Thin crust with fresh toppings. Definitely coming back!
Great vibe. Pretty good beer. The "game room" is an awesome space for events and activities. Plus, it's has great parking which is always a plus in RVA!
Keegan Z.
Came here for a trivia night recently and it was a nice brewery. It's nice to be able to step away from the usual Scott's Addition options for a bit, particularly when you can find a parking place for a change!Two of my friends and I were glad to give this place a try and see how tough their trivia night was (spoiler: it was tough, but we managed to get third place, and I was very little help since many questions were movie-related). Got to enjoy a great stout they had on draft, and I saw plenty of beverage options there to keep pretty much anyone happy. The food they have there (pizza) looks quite good but is a bit rich for my blood for a personal-size pizza. Their seating is quite interesting, with most tables being different heights, designs, and seating capacities, which can be charming or frustrating depending on your needs. I rather liked it, as it could lead to you having a "favorite" table, which is fun.I mentioned it before and some people think it isn't important, but I HATE struggling to find parking. That's not a problem at Basic City Beer, as they have a private lot that has lots of spaces. For me, that's a big selling point, though if you're riding with someone else maybe it's not a big deal for you.Enjoyed my visit here and would be glad to return again!Overall: 4.0 stars----Pros:- Great draft beer selection, plenty of options there.- Charming interior with varied seating.- LOTS of parking, absolutely love that.- Didn't have too many service interactions but they seemed nice.Cons:- If you come for the trivia, be forewarned it is tough and less about general knowledge. Prizes are okay.- Pizza looks delicious (did not try my friend's on this visit), though the cost is up there for what amounts to a personal pan pizza.
Mark Cutmore
Love this bar. Super friendly staff, nice beer, relaxed vibe. Curtis was great, super friendly, gave us some great advice about other places to check out in Richmond.
Jason Wise
Basic City Beer is a hidden gem. They have many different craft beers and sodas to choose from as well as absolutely fantastic pizzas pizzas. The crust is nice and thin and crisped up with the perfect amount of char, the toppings are fresh and delicious, and the cheese flows like wine. The atmosphere is great, too. There are several different types of spaces, so whether you want to sit at the bar, grab a beer and hit a quiet corner, meet a group, or mingle on the floor the there are plenty options for you.
Bill Rippe (Life of a Boring Old Guy)
We’ve been coming here since they opened. Everything on tap has a distinct taste and quality to it.Weekends are great because there always seems to be something going on. We like the local craft markets.Top tip, go soon after they open on a Sunday. Not a lot of people. Sit, relax, enjoy a brew and good conversation.They are dog friendly with great staff. Cheers!
Ah, Basic City Beer! Let me tell ya, sonny, that place is like a time machine. You step in, and suddenly you're whisked away to the good ol' days when folks wore suspenders and bowler hats, and the air smelled of pipe tobacco and adventure.Now, Reilly and Tyler, those two young whippersnappers, they joined me for a tipple at Basic City Beer. We each had two beers, and let me tell ya, those brews were smoother than a buttered biscuit on a Sunday mornin'. Reilly had a stout that was so dark, it looked like it'd been brewed in the depths of Hades. Tyler, bless his heart, went for a hoppy IPA that made his mustache twitch with delight.The place itself? Well, it's got that old wear house feel, like it's been around since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The wooden beams creak, and the walls whisper secrets of bygone days. And there she was, the lovely lady behind the bar, with eyes as bright as a harvest moon. She poured our beers with a grace that'd make a swan jealous, and she even let us sample 'em before we committed to a full pint. Ain't that hospitality for ya?Now, we didn't eat a lick while we were there. No sir, we were too busy exploring the back room. And let me tell ya, that back room is a treasure trove. Ping pong tables as far as the eye can see! Reilly and Tyler, they fancied themselves ping pong champions, but truth be told, they played like a couple of drunken squirrels tryin' to dance a jig. Balls were flyin', paddles were flailin', and laughter echoed off the walls like a chorus of tipsy angels.And don't get me started on the amenities! Two bathrooms, sonny! Not one, but two! You could take your pick: the one with the floral wallpaper that smells like grandma's potpourri, or the other one with the flickering light bulb that gives you a sense of impending adventure. And that shuffleboard table—oh, it's a thing of beauty. We slid those pucks like seasoned sea captains navigating treacherous waters.But the pièce de résistance? The bean bag game! You know the one, where you toss those little bags into a hole like you're flingin' corn at a barn door. Reilly and Tyler, they were fierce competitors. Faces red, brows furrowed, they chucked those bean bags with the determination of men who'd lost their spectacles in a haystack. And when one finally landed in the hole, they hooted and hollered like they'd won the lottery.And the beer, my friend? Oh, it flowed like a mountain stream after a spring rain. Smooth, crisp, and as refreshing as a dip in the swimming hole. I tell ya, I'd come back to Basic City Beer faster than a jackrabbit on a hot skillet. So, if you find yourself wanderin' those creaky floors, raise a glass to Reilly, Tyler, and that lovely lady behind the bar. And remember, sonny, life's too short to drink bad beer—so make it a Basic City brew, and you'll be grinnin' like a possum in a peach orchard! ?
A wide open bar with lots of space, tables and games.
Had a great time here with my family. Didn't order food or anything but just tried the drinks on tap. Their award winning dark lager is great and goes down smooth. Nice to get it on tap. Had a great buzzed afternoon here and would definitely come back with friends or something should they visit.
I usually come here for the robot noises?. Beep boop. Last night they had jokes. They were pretty good.
Craft beer was outstanding, the pizza and charcuterie was excellent, the staff friendly and helpful.
The beer was great. The food, especially the charcuterie board, was perfect. The atmosphere was fun and the people friendly.
Good beer, good pizza, great atmosphere!
Good beer. Good pizza.
Genuinely some of the best beer in Richmond. The competition is high in the city, but Basic manages to create a great atmosphere, while serving a wide array of great drinks. Great food, great drinks, with reasonable prices. We’re always happy to see friendly staff when we stop in for a beer and a pizza. This is a sleeper hit in the Manchester area that deserves all the love!
Pizza here is so good we forgot to take a picture before we devoured it!! Thin crust with fresh toppings. Definitely coming back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great vibe. Pretty good beer. The "game room" is an awesome space for events and activities. Plus, it's has great parking which is always a plus in RVA!
Came here for a trivia night recently and it was a nice brewery. It's nice to be able to step away from the usual Scott's Addition options for a bit, particularly when you can find a parking place for a change!Two of my friends and I were glad to give this place a try and see how tough their trivia night was (spoiler: it was tough, but we managed to get third place, and I was very little help since many questions were movie-related). Got to enjoy a great stout they had on draft, and I saw plenty of beverage options there to keep pretty much anyone happy. The food they have there (pizza) looks quite good but is a bit rich for my blood for a personal-size pizza. Their seating is quite interesting, with most tables being different heights, designs, and seating capacities, which can be charming or frustrating depending on your needs. I rather liked it, as it could lead to you having a "favorite" table, which is fun.I mentioned it before and some people think it isn't important, but I HATE struggling to find parking. That's not a problem at Basic City Beer, as they have a private lot that has lots of spaces. For me, that's a big selling point, though if you're riding with someone else maybe it's not a big deal for you.Enjoyed my visit here and would be glad to return again!Overall: 4.0 stars----Pros:- Great draft beer selection, plenty of options there.- Charming interior with varied seating.- LOTS of parking, absolutely love that.- Didn't have too many service interactions but they seemed nice.Cons:- If you come for the trivia, be forewarned it is tough and less about general knowledge. Prizes are okay.- Pizza looks delicious (did not try my friend's on this visit), though the cost is up there for what amounts to a personal pan pizza.
Love this bar. Super friendly staff, nice beer, relaxed vibe. Curtis was great, super friendly, gave us some great advice about other places to check out in Richmond.
Basic City Beer is a hidden gem. They have many different craft beers and sodas to choose from as well as absolutely fantastic pizzas pizzas. The crust is nice and thin and crisped up with the perfect amount of char, the toppings are fresh and delicious, and the cheese flows like wine. The atmosphere is great, too. There are several different types of spaces, so whether you want to sit at the bar, grab a beer and hit a quiet corner, meet a group, or mingle on the floor the there are plenty options for you.
We’ve been coming here since they opened. Everything on tap has a distinct taste and quality to it.Weekends are great because there always seems to be something going on. We like the local craft markets.Top tip, go soon after they open on a Sunday. Not a lot of people. Sit, relax, enjoy a brew and good conversation.They are dog friendly with great staff. Cheers!