Barcode

Cheap, strong drinks. Friendly crowd. Cool patio. I don’t ever go in here without having a good conversation. I always have a great time. Stop by and you will too. There isn’t a better crowd in all of Richmond. Staff is always quick and friendly. It’s not fancy, but it’s exactly what you’re looking for when you want to wind down, or turn up.

I travel frequently for work and have been to many bars, but Barcode stands out as potentially the rudest staff I have ever had to deal with. I opened a tab with one bartender and upon ordering a second drink from the other bartender was yelled at for having not had my tab opened with him. This is the first bar in the world I’ve been to with such a policy, and the way they went about informing me was uncalled for. Do yourself a favor and skip this place.

I’d visited this place before, never had issue; this time it was the worst. What I’ll say is the «Confederate» disposition is certainly alive and operating at THIS establishment. BOTH of the bartenders totally ignored, didn’t acknowledge or offer to serve this customer!
I was totally floored, this in the capital of the Commonwealth, at a GAY BAR! Really? HOW can the «help» be pretentious in Richmond (of all places)? Never again; everyone can’t tell the same lie. #HORRIBLEcustomerService #HorribleHelp

I live right across the street from this place and wondered in one night with one of my friends just to take a shot, to get our night started. The bartender was not at all kind, I don’t know if it was because we weren’t regulars but he was having a conversation smiling with the people next to us and completely had a stone face while asking us for ID’s, usually bartenders make convo with new customers for obvious reasons but this guy had terrible customer service, I was really disappointed as I heard great things about this place and was looking forward to a new neighborhood bar, haven’t been back since.

Not bad if you’re a middle aged or older guy. Not realy a young crowd, fun relaxed atmosphere tho, and great cheap drinks :)

Barcode is my favorite gay bar in Richmond. Actually it’s probably the best one I’ve been to in VA.
It’s been a staple for the local gay community for years and there’s good reason. The staff are fantastic, the drinks are strong and the prices are really low.
Don’t think for a minute it’s not good as a bar in its own right without being distinguished as «gay.» I have several straight friends who really love it here and happily choose it over other bars in town.
The busiest night is Sunday for karaōke, but most nights have a decent crowd. If you like to dance it’s only a few blocks from Godfreys, where drinks are weaker and twice as expensive. So perfect for pregaming.
I’ve never actually had the food here, which is pretty standard pub fare. I’ve never heard any complaints, though, and my dad says it’s good (yes my dad has no shame in coming to a gay bar).

I come here quite frequently with friends, and I have never had a bad experience. The food and drinks are always amazing and the staff are always wonderful as well. I would definitely recommend it!

I don’t have a review for the drinks because I got here at 1:25 am and they were closing and wouldn’t serve me. I asked how late they were open and the bartender said «2 am.» We both looked at the clock, which showed another 30+ minutes and he goes, «Yeah, we’re closed.» There were a lot of people in here that would have bought drinks, but apparently the staff wanted to go home. I guess I don’t understand the math here. If you’re open until 2, doesn’t that mean you serve until 1:45? The hours for this business should actually say «Open until 1:30.»

Great food … Thursday Martini Nights. However the WORST customer service I have ever experienced … Go for average drinks, and great food. But sour bartenders

I came here on a Thursday and they had $ 4 martinis. Not crappy Martinis served in a cup or a mixed drink they want to pass off as a martini. No, real, strong, and good martinis. I would usually pay $ 9 or more for them at bars in Detroit.
Also, the food was great! I ordered a Steak special they had and the meat was tender and seasoned well. I had a vegetable dish also and that was great. The portions were decent and they didn’t charge me an arm and a leg.
I will definitely stop in here again next time in Richmond.

Barcode in RVA city is one of those kind of bars where it’s a hit or miss deal. Some nights are great others not so much. Being a native of Washington, DC overall this bar really isn’t impressive at all. Every time I’m here there’s different bartenders. There’s one female bartender which was absolutely awesome and very friendly. But for the most part, the bartenders act like they can’t be bothered. I’m probably being quite biased about all this especially considering that I don’t frequent this bar at all. They do serve food which is of course always a plus but that alone certainly wouldn’t keep me coming back here. I will say that the staff are generally nice and attentive. I don’t like giving any establishment, regardless of what it is such a low rating but unfortunately it’s just far too inconsistent to make it worth while. Between, the inconsistency of the drinks to the general unfriendliness of the bartenders, it pretty much deserves the two stars I gave it.

Came here during a weekday night with some friends and it was pretty much dead…
BUT!
1) Mixed drinks in a large beer mug… yes!
2) Fun & friendly DJ to play your requests all night long… yes!
3) Secluded back yard patio for a little more rendezvous… sure, why not?!

OK… so I didn’t know this was a gay bar until I came to Unilocal and read the reviews… However, the fact that it’s a gay bar isn’t really relevant to me! The food and service was great and that is what matters to me no matter the «orientation» of the establishment :)
Everyone was so nice and I got the crab cakes and spinach. with a Strawberry Margarita. everything was perfect! I was in the area and saw the place and went right on in… I know some people may be apprehensive since it’s labeled a «gay» bar. but don’t be… If You want great food and service in a great atmosphere. This place has it.

Kinda divey, but with great food!
Fiancé and I were in Richmond at the Coliseum and looking for some good food. Most places around the convention center are either 1. not serving at off hours, such as 3:30 in the afternoon, or 2. have bad reviews. Striking out at the first place we visited, I checked the Unilocal mobile app, I saw this place had a sufficient number of stars for my liking and was open.
Fiancé had the reuben and I had the crab cakes. He said it was the best reuben he’s had; my crab cakes were very good – not a lot of filler – and the cole slaw was delicious (not a lot of places make good cole slaw). Service was good (our bartender seemed a little perplexed with us – we were attending the GOP state convention at the time and I’d gather they probably don’t get piles of people wearing Republican stickers hanging around the place) and the atmosphere friendly.

Great bar! They don’t have a cover and the drinks are so cheap! The gay crowd is a bit older but fun nonetheless. Great for a group of friends.

Wifee loves to check out the local spots frequented by the local gay and lesbian community. I was initially ignorantly apprehensive about it but I have been pleasantly surprised with all my experiences since. The feel of community, vibe, energy and flair is addicting. I cant say every place we have been to will be revisited but this one is on the going back list.
The atmosphere was pretty chill with sounds of 80’s and 90’s music videos pretty much drowning thought out. I found myself 3 centimeters from wifee’s ear trying to communicate how I would have liked a little more tonic with my vodka when I realized the genius of it! Super loud music, super strong drinks… forces proximity… removes inhibitions rapidly… well now, where was this place when I was in college?
The staff was attentive and very quick to bring out the next round. The bar was full of folks that looked very comfortable and happy to be there. We are a straight couple from out of town and we felt right at home.
The whole place was clean, including the restrooms. There was plenty of seating and I even think they had a bar menu. all in all a great experience.

I’ve been going to Barcode off and on for a few years now, and the quality of this place just keeps improving.
Their beer choices are pretty good, the martini menu is great, the atmosphere is casual, the drinks are strong, and the bartenders are probably the friendliest in Richmond. I don’t go out that often, but it’s nice to experience that welcoming attitude in a city with such a small queer scene.
Since so many of Richmond’s other gay bars are dance-​oriented, I really appreciate being able to have a conversation without having to yell over some throbbing four-​on-​the-​floor bass line. Hey, what do you want from me? I’m getting old!
My only complaint is the men’s bathroom. Let me put it this way– that restroom ain’t for the modest.

I caught an early dinner at Barcode on St. Patty’s Day right after a workout, so I could go scurry away home and stay indoors from 5pm to 3am to avoid Shamrock the Block, which makes my part of town insufferably congested with douchebaggery. No thanks.
I needed at least 20 grams of protein, but apparently I didn’t care about loading on the carbs and cheese, because I got fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken and garlic bread. The grilled chicken breast is probably all I really needed, but I was only eating once all day, so I went for it. With gusto. It was decent, nothing exceptional, as you can probably tell from the picture. Tasty, simple, hard to screw up.
It was a fun day to go, because when I walked in, a bunch of guys dressed up in leather and cop outfits looked at me like «Are you looking for our group? Here we are.» I wasn’t looking for a bear/​leather daddy meeting though. Just food. But yeah, seeing the bear flag up and those guys strutting past me, their chains and cuffs jingling off their military and police outfits, was really fun. I totally respect those guys, although, when you actually see them in person, you realize it’s just these otherwise-​normal-​looking guys wearing these shiny costumes, which is… Oh god, now they’re coming to kick my ass and make me lick their boots…
Apparently I made it to the bottom of that plate and was still hungry from my workout, because I ordered dessert, shut up, I know. I got the chocolate torte. It was amazing.
Bathrooms: Men, Women. In the Men’s, a toilet with no stall and 2 urinals with a glass partition, and sink. I hate that bathroom honestly.

«The Code» is a great little hangout that happens to be a gay bar. Surprisingly good bar food, too! Unpretentious and simple. Never crowded.

Bar Code is like a gay cheers. Unfortunately Richmond is not known for gay-​specific nightlife. Luckily Bar Code is there to provide a haven for those who like the company and vibe unique to gay bars. Nothing fancy, no pretense. Good drinks and surprisingly good food quality.
I would venture to say that Barcode has the best Chicken Fingers and nachos in town. The prices are moderate and portions are generous. Daily specials always satisfy.
Décor is wood bar and floors, large art prints on the walls, exposed brick etc but tends to be on the dark side as there are no windows due to it being attached on either side.
Sunday Karaōke is always fun, especially on holiday weekends. There is a wide variety of talented folks and I have never had a bad time… and I don’t even sing!
The fact that they keep iced glasses for draft beer is especially appreciated and I have been known to order my mixed vodka/​soda/​cran in a big ol beer glass.
There is an outdoor deck in the rear which tends to be smoker centric. The staff is stable with little turnover and they are always friendly and efficient.