A Review of Nearby Concert Venues
By Daniel Lawhorne
Let’s face it, Buena Vista doesn’t have much in terms of live music. If you’re looking for a “local venue,” you’re probably driving an hour or so at least. Here’s a brief guide to a few of the nearby venues and their pros and cons.
Number 1: The National, Richmond
The National is located in a beautiful area of downtown Richmond and has both a general admission section and a seated balcony. There’s also an area slightly elevated from the general admissions area that’s fenced off, giving you a slightly more isolated feeling if you’re wanting a little bit of space from the crowd. The National is a beautiful venue. And to me, that’s probably the thing I don’t like about it. I don’t have any complaints about anything, but I love the atmosphere of dingy bars and clubs. The National offers everything but that.
Number 2: The Golden Pony, Harrisonburg
The Golden Pony is probably my favorite venue that I’ve been to in Harrisonburg. Unlike a lot of venues, they’re just as well-known for their food and drinks as they are for their concerts. The eating area and main bar are both very well-decorated and have a really cozy vibe, which contrasts perfectly with the concrete-covered, sticker-plastered feel of the basement where the bands play. The stage is pretty small (probably less than a foot off the ground) and isn’t particularly spacious either, but the lighting is excellent. My only other complaint is the ceiling height. The clearance in the basement is probably around eight feet. It’s tall enough that you won’t hit your head, but low enough that crowd-surfing isn’t an option.
Number 3: The Canal Club, Richmond
Admittedly, my experiences at the Canal Club have been pretty limited, but every experience I’ve had there has been a good one. The venue was originally built as a warehouse, but was abandoned, purchased, and refurbished to serve as a concert venue. Located in an older part of the city near the James River, the Canal Club is remarkably spacious with a good-sized stage. The sound design there is top notch, as is the lighting. The bathrooms are much bigger than the other venues on this list as well, which helps a lot with the post-opener pee crowds. All in all, the Canal Club is great as long as you don’t mind the smell of river stank while you stand in line outside.
Number 4: The Broadberry
The Broadberry is my favorite concert venue that I’ve been to. Not only is the mix always great, the lighting and PA system are both high quality. The stage is very spacious and the perfect height. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s right next door to an excellent Thai restaurant. All in all, the Broadberry strikes the perfect balance of great equipment, a great space, and that perfect dive bar vibe, without being too small. One thing that is worth a mention is that it’s in a pretty sketchy part of Richmond, but there’s adequate parking close enough to the venue that it’s a very short walk back to your car after the show’s over, and with everyone leaving the venue at the same time, there’s definitely safety in numbers.
What are some of your favorite concert venues, either from your hometown/state or here in Virginia?
A Review of Concert Venues Near Buena Vista, VA was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.