Ed 134: Tacky Lights Run, Christmas In Carver, Boozy Brunch with Santa
Image Source: @chasewanderinglight
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
There’s nothing like the first snow of the season to get you into the holiday spirit! Watching the flurries fly about was just what I needed to finally feel like winter has truly arrived — hopefully you felt the same way.
Despite the fact that temperatures may climb back up to the 50s or even 60s this week (seriously, what is Richmond weather?), we put together a few new city guides that will help you hold onto those winter vibes, like…
The Official RVAx 2020-2021 Winter Bucket List
Eat, Drink & Be Merry: Seasonal Sips & Treats Worth Tasting This Year
Get Your Gifts At These RVA Holiday Markets
Local Experiences You Can Give As Gifts This Year
Merry Everything: A Guide to Richmond’s Holiday Events
…and more.
If you’re ready to make the most of what’s left of this weird year, let’s talk about what’s new in Richmond, like opening day at the new Ukrop’s Market Hall, a must-try Christmas experience happening in Carver, where you can get boozy brunch with Santa this month, and more.
THE LATEST:
Image: @well_2_do_4me
Image: @thecobracabana
Image: @gahuss
Image: @quirkhotelrva
SOCIAL NEWS
From milk and cookies to mimosas. Even Santa needs to let off some steam once in a while, which is why you can find him downtown at Quirk Hotel for Boozy Brunch this Saturday, December 12 and next Saturday, December 19 from 11 am - 2 pm. Be sure to make a reservation for The Lobby Bar at Quirk if you want to clink Bloody Marys with the man in red himself.
And hey, may as well order one of The Lobby Bar’s Holiday Wine Packs while you’re at it. Each pack is $70 and includes three Quirk Private Label wines: the Quirk Love Red, the Quirk Happiness White, and the Barboursville Vineyards Cuvee Brut. Sounds like a fabulous holiday gift to give (or keep!).
Christmas has arrived in Carver*. You can find it at Cobra Cabana in the form of dare we say, over the top (in a good way!) holiday drinks. I’ll give you two examples:
The first is “The Belsnickel,” and if that makes you think of Dwight Schrute’s Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired anti-Santa character from The Office, then we are on the same page. It’s reminiscent of a peppermint patty — made with vodka, mint simple syrup, almond Bailey’s, almond milk, and vegan chocolate syrup with a crushed peppermint rim. Very impish.
The second is “Electric Sex,” a nod to Ralphie’s description of his father’s “major award” gleaming in the window in A Christmas Story. This one is actually hot buttered rum, served in a mug under the warm glow of an IRL leg lamp on the bar.
There are almost certainly even more festive drinks on the way from this vegan-friendly rock’n’roll bar, so stay tuned to their Instagram for more.
*UPDATE: In the time since this edition of the Weekly Insider was published, Cobra Cabana announced that a member of their staff has tested positive for COVID-19. They are closing their establishment until all other staff members are tested and the entire space has been sanitized. We’re hoping that everyone is safe and they’ll be back up and running soon!
We’ve talked about taking tacky lights tours on buses, TukTuks, and bikes, but what about on your own two feet? Enter the CarMax Tacky Lights Run, happening this Friday through Sunday. Everyone's favorite holiday-themed fun run from Sports Backers is taking on a new format to keep the tradition alive while also supporting the safety of all participants.
Just register online, then choose your night and head out on one of our official CarMax Tacky Light Run courses anytime between 5 – 8 pm. Sweater, costumes, and lights are encouraged, especially so you can make sure you’re safe and visible to all! All race participants will receive a long-sleeved shirt, and the option to add a tacky ornament onto your registration to keep that yearly ornament collection going strong.
Not into racing, but still want to see the lights for yourself? No worries. You can marvel at the magical holiday lights all around the city with the new RVA Lights The Way self-guided walking tour map from Venture Richmond. The map’s course will take you on a tour of holiday lights and festivities, starting at Brown's Island and ending at the tree at Kanawha Plaza with 8 more fun and festive stops in between. You can even download a printable PDF of the map to bring along with you on your advent adventure. Happy exploring!
Once Richmond starts to get chilly, you know it’s time for some chili. Snag some this Saturday between noon and 9 pm at Tabol Brewing in Northside. Jackie Wayne Beef Co. will be on site serving up some delicious chili made with their grass-fed, Virginia-grown beef. It’ll be $8 for a bowl. Be sure to pair your bowl with a pint of Tabol’s “Top Pilsner” to wash down all that spicy, meaty goodness.
While we’re talking about food, we should probably mention the exciting new opening this week. Ukrop’s Market Hall officially opened its doors on Tuesday, December 8 at 7250 Patterson Ave in the West End, near Corks & Kegs.
They’re offering dine-in as well as carry-out, for all of the Ukrop’s favorites you know and love — like fried chicken, potato wedges, Slidinis, custom salads, pizzas, and a full selection of chilled prepared entrees, sides, deli salad, and fresh baked goods.
Beyond that, you can satisfy your sweet tooth at the Ukrop’s Market Hall with Dot’s Pastry! For background: Ukrop’s bought Dot’s Pastry Shop, a beloved local Richmond bakery, back in 1976. From then on, Ukrop’s carried on the Dot’s tradition of making great-tasting cakes, pies, tarts, Danish, cookies, and more.
But my favorite feature of this new market hall might actually be The Icebox, where shoppers can stock up on hundreds of individual and family-sized entrees, sides, deli salads, and convenient meal solutions. Freshly made and chilled for convenience, these items are pre-packaged and ready to heat and enjoy in minutes. Honestly, I may never cook again. And you can ask my husband: that’s a good thing.
You can swing by to check it out the new Ukrop’s Market Hall for yourself Monday through Saturday from 7 am - 8:30 pm. Enjoy!
HAPPENINGS
Kick off your weekend with Holiday Lights & Music on the Riverfront. This display of decorative lights, happening this Saturday, December 12 from 6 - 8 pm, is totally free to the public. Attendees can enjoy food and drink from Espresso-A-Go-Go while listening to acoustic holiday music from the Trombone Trio on Brown’s Island — or take a festive stroll along the Canal Walk to the Turning Basin.
Looking for more happenings that will get you into the spirit of the season? Check out our guide to all of Richmond’s most festive holiday events here.
Weekly Giveaway
Sunday Table Co.
This local company is owned by Richmonders Virginia and Emilie, two BFFs who have been friends since middle school. They started Sunday Table Co. two years ago, and they named the business after another close friend of theirs who passed away a few years ago who continues to inspire them today.
In addition to selling simple, playful paper goods like postcards, stickers, and prints, they also have coffee cups, magnets, tote bags, and more featuring beloved spots all around RVA. And they do custom artwork if there’s a particular spot in town that is special to you or a person you love. Hello, meaningful gift idea!
I keep hoping my husband Andrew will surprise me with a custom print of our Northside home. Someone drop a hint to him, okay?
Anyway — this week, we’re giving away one of their gorgeous RVA Collage Mugs!
To enter to win: Tell me your go-to winter drink of choice! I’m a sucker for hot cocoa with loads of whipped cream.
Last week: Congratulations to Lindsey B. for winning last week’s Hardywood giveaway!
Member Perks
‘How to Pitch Yourself’ Workshop with Golden Word
Public relations is an incredibly powerful, cost-effective marketing tactic. Effective press coverage drives traffic, interest and sales, while boosting your reputation. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, this is music to your ears.
But PR and securing press coverage are also a bit mysterious. How do you contact media, and how do you get them to cover your business?
In this two-hour, virtual “How to Pitch Yourself” workshop, you will learn how to land meaningful press coverage, taught by Golden Word founder and 15-year PR veteran Elisabeth Edelman.
You will leave the workshop with the “How To Pitch Yourself” workbook including a pitch checklist, a developed first pitch and strategy going forward, as well as contact information for 3 target media of your choosing.
RVAx members can use code RVAX to receive 10% off the How to Pitch Yourself workshop on Thursday, December 10!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
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Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 45 new members this week: Tyler S., Laura R., Kaitlyn H., Kristi H., Brittany H., Sarah S., Jamie A., Margaret B., Ryan J., Lilac R., Michelle D., Chloe M., Maria F., Cheryl P., Amy C., Grace C., Abigale W., Sara C., Emily T., Samantha L., Christine B., Alex L., Carly M., Winston C., Jessica P., Christine F., Alex L., Morgan K., Kira J., Alexis D., Ashley W., Andrea H., Jansen C., Sara R., Kassidy H., Diane S., Beth B., Olivia F., Audrey N., Kyra M, Brittany D., Joelle A., Sara S., LJ M., and Sheetal M., 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 134 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Riddle Me This Escape Rooms for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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