Ed 182: Thanksgiving Events, Heated Patios, Holiday Markets
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Hey, y’all! Alicia here 👋
Just a heads up that The Richmond Experience team will be off next week for Thanksgiving, so this edition of The Weekly Insider and this Friday’s edition of The Weekender will be the last ones you’ll receive from us until after the holiday.
Don’t worry, though — we’ve put together plenty of useful City Guides to keep you busy over the next two weeks. Let’s dive in!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 71°, low of 54°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 75°, low of 38°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 50°, low of 30°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6:30 - 9 pm: Tango Night at the Richmond Wine Station
Thursday, 6 pm: Chili & Wine Dinner at Perch
Friday, 10 pm - 2 am: Britney Spears Night at Kabana Rooftop
CITY GUIDES
1. The Trendspotter: November 2021
2. Music Roundup: Concerts & Shows Happening in Richmond Now - December 5
3. Your Guide to RVA Happy Hours, Every Day of the Week
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Anthony Nemetz: Creator of Belle Isle Adventures, aka the original Belle Isle Scavenger Hunt. The "prize" for completing this scavenger hunt is simply exploration — and hopefully, time well spent outdoors with loved ones around the city. Just make your way to Belle Isle, then follow the clues from your phone or device to make your way through the hunt to the finish line.
Pro tip: This is a perfect activity to enjoy with friends and family you’re hosting over Thanksgiving! The Belle Isle Scavenger Hunt is password-protected, so click here to purchase a code to access the clues for this two-mile tour, which takes about an hour or two to complete. Enjoy!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the top events to keep you and your guests entertained during Thanksgiving break, an updated list of Richmond’s covered and heated patios, the must-visit Mexican restaurant now open in Carytown, a just-opened tasting room serving incredible cocktails (and whiskey flights) in Scott’s Addition, and more.
THE LATEST:
THIS WEEK
Just opened in Carytown: Lolita’s, a Mexican concept from Rosio and Karina Garcia (the same sisters who brought us Little Mexico in The Fan), officially opened its doors last Tuesday with a menu featuring innovative takes on traditional Mexican flavors. From perfectly glazed and crunchy pork belly pibil tacos to the equal parts tangy-yet-salty Lolita’s Clásica Margarita (and spicy, if you opt to add their infused chile nectar), everything on the menu has our mouths watering already.
Lolita’s is currently open Monday through Saturday, 4 - 10 pm, at 2929 W Cary St — and consider this your heads up to swing by soon, because we’ll be featuring them on our Instagram later this week!
Meet me at the bar: The brand new bar in Reservoir Distillery’s just-opened tasting room, that is. This distillery in Scott’s Addition officially opened its newly renovated tasting room doors to the public just last week with a new cocktail menu, limited-edition pours, flights, and more. We recommend the Reservoir RyeCar, their take on a Sidecar (made with Reservoir Rye, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a lemon twist).
The tasting room is now open Wednesday - Saturday, 1 - 9 pm and Sunday, 1 - 5 pm at 1800A Summit Ave — more info here.
Sips and songs: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is celebrating its 10th anniversary (!) with a performance by The Richmond Symphony in the Barrel Room at its Hardywood Richmond location this Thursday, November 18 at 6:30 pm. You can expect chamber classics and fantastic orchestral favorites in one-hour informal shows in a fun and relaxed setting, paired with some of Hardywood’s most beloved brews like the highly anticipated Gingerbread Stout, Christmas Pancakes, and more. Snag your tickets here ASAP, as this show is bound to sell out fast!
Shop ‘til you drop: Craft + Design is returning for its 57th year this Friday, November 19 through Sunday, November 21! This museum-quality show is produced by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and acts as the unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping season in Richmond. Spend the weekend browsing the works of artists from all over the country.
This year, you have the option to shop Craft + Design online, or opt for IRL browsing with a pop-up shop featuring local artists at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond on Saturday, November 20 from 11 am - 4 pm.
A different kind of drive-through: The Richmond Holiday Light Show kicks off this weekend at the Richmond Raceway. The only drive-through light show in Richmond, the Richmond Holiday Light Show features dozens of dazzling lights displays to delight the entire family.
Tickets are priced per car, and reservations can be made every hour on the hour (from 5 - 10 pm), beginning this Friday, November 19 through Thursday, December 30. Reserve your time slot here!
Dining al fresco, but keep it toasty: Have you seen the patio glow-up at Pizza & Beer of Richmond in The Fan? The restaurant’s ever-busy outdoor space now boasts a massive tent dripping with string lights, lanterns, trees, ornaments, and holiday cheer — and perhaps most importantly, heaters.
We actually put together a whole list of spots in Richmond that offer covered, heated patios (organized by neighborhood) to keep you warm and toasty as temperatures continue to drop. A few of our favorites? Blue Atlas, Lillie Pearl, MOSAIC, Cobra Cabana, Boulevard Burger & Brew, En Su Boca, and Perch, but there are literally dozens more where those came from in the article linked above.
COMING SOON
Shop small this season (and always). Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, and we’ve put together a few gift guides to help you #supportlocal during the holidays this year:
12 LOCAL GIFTS FOR THE RICHMOND-LOVER IN YOUR LIFE
10 LOCAL HEALTH & WELLNESS GIFTS WORTH GIVING (OR KEEPING!) THIS YEAR
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland. Not to get too Game of Thrones, but winter is coming — and we want to help you make the most of it! A few city guides that can help:
HEATING UP: 15 OF THE BEST LOCAL SPOTS FOR SOUP
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE HOLIDAY SHOWS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS (& HOME DELIVERY OPTIONS) TO GRAB YOUR FESTIVE FIRS THIS YEAR
Weekly Giveaway
Fall Line Kitchen & Bar
Have you checked out the newest dining experience in town? Inspired by Virginia’s most prominent geological feature, Fall Line Kitchen & Bar is an upscale-casual restaurant in Richmond that's dedicated to ingredient-focused comfort food, regional craft brews, and creative cocktails.
We’re giving away a dinner for two to Fall Line Kitchen & Bar (including two drinks, a starter, two entrees, and a dessert) to one lucky member of The Richmond Experience!
To enter to win: Tell me something you’re thankful for this year! I’m thankful for coffee, candles, cozy sweaters, and Richmond’s small business community.
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Lauren D. for winning two Early Access Shopping Tickets to Craft + Design!
Member Perks
Wine Stork
The holidays are a busy time of year, and they're just around the corner — but thankfully, you can skip adding "pick up wine" to your to-do list this year when you order online from local biz, Wine Stork.
Choose your favorite bottle(s) from their carefully curated line-up, place your order, and they'll deliver your wine(s) of choice straight to your doorstep within two business days. Just make sure someone 21 years of age or older will be home to sign when your shipment is delivered, and you’ll be all set!
RVAx memberes can use code WelcomeRVAX for 10% off of their first Wine Stork order — shop here!
P.S. Wine Stork is hosting A Friendsgiving Tasting this Friday, November 19 at River City Roll. Snag your $15 ticket here to taste six wines on the heated, covered patio from 5 - 7 pm to kick your weekend off right!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 65 new members this week: Ariane M., Story H., Ashleigh B., Gustavo D., Dakota S., Melissa H., Skylar C., Amber M., Elizabeth C., Amber S., Tamara T., Hala A., Christian A., Maizah R., Shreyas B., Teresa L., Cate G., Kate B., Mia E., Megan F., Chris E., Ariel N., Luis S., Reena P., Michelle E., Quinlyn H., Sophie R., McKenszie M., Cecile M., Gina S., Kristen H., Stephen M., Becca N., Melanie A., Khwaja M., Laura H., Jessica B., Kristopher B., Kennedi H., Lauren R., Dillon W., Julian H., Danielle R., Claire H., Andrea G., Sarah M., Colleen J., Kristen G., Ashleigh H., Lauren S., Frances P., Jasmine S., Justin B., Amanda M., Brian S., Jabria C., Caitlyn W., Kelsey F., Micaela W., Brittany M., Elyzha C., Jordan S., Kevin T., Andrea C., and Gage 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 182 of The Weekly Insider.
Talk to you in two weeks!
- Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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