Babes of Carytown

I love Babes. I met my partner here two years ago, but I have a major issue. They don’t close until 2:00, but as soon as 1:50 hits they begin to kick everybody out. We were allowed to purchase drinks at 1:40. We worked hard to finish our drinks before 2:00, but once 1:50 hit we were told that we had to leave, even though we had just purchased our drinks. We tried our hardest to chug the drinks as fast as we could, but the manager was extremely rude forcing us to leave, even though we aren’t supposed to officially leave until 2:00. We told her we were trying to finish our drinks, but she was yelling at us telling us we had to leave, even though she said we didn’t officially have to be out of there until 2:00. I think the times need to be changed if they’re going to allow people to purchase drinks at 1:40, but then start being rude to us about leaving before 2:00. Maybe put on Google that Babes closes at 1:50 instead of 2:00 if you’re going to force people to leave at 1:50. We obviously were going as fast as we can to finish our drinks before 2:00. We had no plans of hanging out after 2:00. We just wanted to finish the drinks we purchased 10 minutes before “closing time.” We had no plans of staying after 2:00. I love Babes, but this rude behavior from the manager is starting to get really annoying. We’ve had multiple negative experiences with her, and it’s starting to really make us not want to come just due to her attitude and the way she’s been treating regular customers. I understand having a rough night and being down in the dumps, but it seems to constantly be a bad night for her with her attitude. I hate to make a negative review because we love Babes, but this is getting to be ridiculous.

The dress code is overly modest... but they only seem to enforce it when they feel like it. Like Ive seen from other reviews, cis women were allowed to wear whatever they wanted, but I was told I had to cover up more than I already was. I was already wearing a zipped up sweater, hello? Is this a high school?The dress code wasnt the only thing that was outdated, considering the music and overall atmosphere. Dry, dead, boring. Maybe if they actually played some good songs, somebody other than the couple of wasted 40-something year olds would dance. My boyfriend and I didnt even stay for half an hour before we decided to leave. I wouldnt even recommend this as a place to hang to chill, taking into consideration the rude staff and apparent credit card theft. I hope this poor bar gets new management soon.

Went there with a Bachelorette party of ladies, our age range was 30s to 50s. The environment was fun, social the bartender was great - attentive, knowledge, personable, and informative. We apparently arrived early @10pm on a Saturday night so plenty of room to move around, dance floor was spacious and they had a pool table. Down side, super small bathrooms, only 2 and with a shared sink in a small area in the back. DJs music selection was to be desired with not much variety in style so the beat did get a bit repetitive. Great variety of ages and people ; yes, it is a gay bar but really you wouldnt know it and didnt matter to any of us. No inappropriate behavior whilebwe were there- no drunks, pushy dancers, only one couple in the corner needed to get a room (Lol!). Overall great time!

Had a great time here. It was Thursday night and they were having a show. It was very crowded. The bartender was great, the door lady was super nice, and the other staff were friendly. After the show they played fun music and everyone here was friendly. They have an outdoor area in the back that is really large. They have tables and a volleyball court.

I’ve been regularly attending babes almost every night for about 2 years now, and I have made some of the most memorable nights of my life here. Drag show on Thursdays, dancing with amazing DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, a pool table for everyone to use, friendly and tight security always keeping me safe, Jeffery always giving me a hard time about my little jar of quarters. This place has my heart ❤️

They stole my credit card. I stepped out to vape and they wanted to charge me to come back in. I needed my card back to get the cash to do so but they claimed they didn’t have my card. I will never go back, such a horrible experience.

We do love a good gay bar! This one is a little more chill than the other ones in my experience, compared to Papis for example. They were hosting a Pixar Trivia Night when my friends and I went, and that seemed really cool! When we went, though, they didnt have cocktail menus (maybe thats not an all the time thing though) and I tend to fumble through ordering drinks. That being said, the staff are all very nice! Loved the vibes of the staff member who helped give us drink recommendations, Im now a gin and tonic guy! Make sure not to forget your ID!

They lost my friends credit card and gave it to someone else! They have all the cards out on the back of the bar, where they could fall or get lost. They refused to comp her drinks, which is the least they can do. I personally asked Lauren to comp my friends drinks because they lost her card. She was rude and disrespectful and refused saying they didnt lose the card, but gave it to someone else, which is honestly worse! Lauren is a manager here and does not have the people skills to be a bar manager. Please comp my friend!

Babes is the absolute heart of carytown. New to RVA and Abe’s is like another home. Staff are amazing and super kind. Can’t say I’ve had the food but the Jell-O shots are a must have! After dark it turns into a dance discotheque with house and guest djs. Cool outdoor space with music, bar, and sand volleyball area. Drag shows weekly and a great space for all LGBTQIA+

LOVE this bar. I have met people every time I have been there. Its nice to be in a Queer environment and not be by guys if Im not feeling it.

I’ve been a regular for years and for me this was a shocker, I had been out with friends and the bartender Chaz came up to us and told my friend that they couldn’t have spaghetti strap tank top on, which is fine and understandable” but yet two feet away from us was a cis gender fem individual but they did not in fact get the same correction despite having on the same type of top in as her.(my friend is trans femme) and to me this isn’t an issue with the dress code rather that if you’re gonna get onto people for this dress board then make sure it’s being given out between both cis and trans patrons just as equally. This is not right and not fair at all to clients. If you’re gonna respect us all then actually mean that.

1.51am, music stops. Leave immediately. And you cant use the rest rooms. But they relented. Upon my return they had taken my beer. 1.54am I dared to question what happened to my beer. Ask the manager. Second and final visit for me.

If I could rate it lower I would. I have never had an establishment without the ability to scan a license and refuse to accept a valid license. ABC should investigate whether theyre letting in minors.

Excellent hangout place!Everyone is so outgoing and friendly, even the customers!Excellent drinks... they can make pretty much any drink request, and they have white tea shots... yummy!Great music, great dancing (so much fun), great food, AWESOME DRAG SHOW, and just the best staff (Kim, Jeff, etc.)! Big, big thank you to the female owner (Vicky Hester) for giving Richmond, VA a place to relax, have fun, and just be yourself without judgement!!!GO PRIDE🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Babes is a great place to go. Ive only been there on Friday nights. But it was an awesome place to watch the drag shows. The staff is very cool and the people that come in are very respectful. I love the dance floor. Its a big place to dance and everyone is not on top of each other. Good drinks,good people,and great drag shows and great music...

Female staff is rude for no reason over really simple questions. Not welcoming towards new queers, especially autistic queers lol. Yeehaw.Update approx 18months later : Since there’s not many safe places for women/afabs to dance in Richmond, I’ve returned to BABES a few times despite the unfriendly bar staff. Just want to give a heads up that it’s pretty much only drag set music from the early 2000s that gets played here. If that’s not your thing, you’re going to have a boring time dancing and watching 40 year olds vogue.

One of the last authentic places of past Richmond. Very friendly staff and plenty of places to sit, eat and drink. Very welcoming to everyone of all backgrounds. Wednesday night karaoke is a blast.

They had an amazing fish tank! Whoever takes care of it does an amazing job. The fish look happy and thats hard to do in a salt water tank. Great music too.

I really believe that this place could do so much better. The place feels stuck in time, late 90s early 2000s, the music, decor, food, drinks, bathrooms, messy atmosphere. Babes has been around for some time now, and it needs an upgrade. I guess its one of the few lgbt+ bars in town, so they get crowded with little effort, and most of the people seem to be pleased.

Gay or straight best place to dance in town. Friday and Saturday nights are the best. Usually $5 cover. Affordable drinks ( $5 rail, $1 jello shots in all the colors of the rainbow!)

4 of my friends and I were there on a Saturday night expecting a great time at one of the dwindling number of lesbian/sapphic bars in the US. We left incredibly frustrated and upset.I tried to order a soda water with lime since I wasnt feeling like drinking yet. The bartenders on the booth side all but ignored me for ~10min as I stood at a mostly empty bar by myself, not on my phone, trying to make eye contact to order. Once I finally ordered, the bartender didnt go to make my drink but instead went and closed out another person and proceeded to chit chat and then forgot about me. I finally got my drink once the other bartender got it.I then went to go look for our friend who we hadnt seen in 20 min and asked the bouncer if I could look outside for her. I was told itd be $5 to get back in even though there was no line and I was in view of the bouncer the whole time. I ended up paying it since my friends safety came first, but I still never left the bouncers view and they clearly saw me just poke my head around the corner to see if my friend was out there.The last thing that happened before we decided to leave was the worst. I was wearing high waisted black pants and a button up long sleeve black top with a sheer-ish black bra under. I added a picture for context. While dancing, the button Id done had come undone so I tucked my shirt in to continuw dancing. I forgot about it when I went back to the bar so part of my bra was showing. Itd been fine the whole night and no one had said anything, but the bartender (same one from earlier in the story) looked me up and down and said you need to button up. There was nothing showing except for part of my bra thatd been showing the whole night. Other patrons were wearing similar tops (or tops with less coverage) and were not being dress coded. Frankly I felt infantilized in a space that should be safe for me to dress how I feel comfortable (within reason of course).Overall a negative experience at Babes. I really wanted to have an amazing time here but that just wasnt the case for me or any of my friends.ETA: Im not sure why the pictures showing up twice

Overall friendly staff, good food and the shows are amazing...good vibes. We came on a Thursday night and I guess it was slower...felt a little abrupt in having to leave as they were closing earlier than normal...however if Im visiting back in Richmond - I would visit again.

So many straight people/couples who treat this place as a tourist destination--its hardly a gay bar if more than half the patrons are girls there with their mildly homophobic boyfriends. But thats not the worst of it: there are a few regulars who are old straight men who come by themselves just to ogle (guy always at the pool table on Friday nights, anyone?). So uncomfortable.That being said, theres plenty of queer people who frequent Babes. Drinks are alright, dancing is fun.

So I stepped outside and realized I needed to use the restroom. I went to the restroom and proceeded to the dance floor and they kicked me out even though I payed the entry fee once already. They dont do stamps or bracelets like every other club in existence because they want to double charge you.

Drinks were good! The DJ needs to play different genres of music. We didnt enjoy the music, so we went out back and sat on the patio!

Incredibly nice bar! The bartender/dj was incredibly friendly and helped me find a delicious drink that suited my palette and additional helped me and a group of people strike up conversation! Wonderful experience all around!

So, I have been at Babes several times and I never had a bad time, which its why they are getting 3 stars. But if last night was my first will def give just one. Last night I can say it was really disappointing, I really didnt enjoy the music. I think the DJ had so many requested songs because the vibe was just so off. Oh, and finally at the end after beggin all night for some spanish music, DJ played one spanish song. So thank you not thank you for the inclusivity 👎.

Could the staff could be any more rude? What a great Friday night!

As someone who has visited over half of the lesbian bars in the US, I can attest that my experience at Babes was one of the best. The bartender Jeffrey was very friendly, and the drinks were reasonably priced, in my opinion. Also, the food was worth the value, I believe. Plus, they have a volleyball court in the backyard.

Didnt come here to rate the place; just want to share this HUGE Friday dinner special I got for $7.00! Two huge fish pieces, two sides, and cornbread. Fish and onion rings were GREAT!

A place to go to have a little fun and listen to music they have a nice dance floor. They have played some nice music too and sometimes not so good music when the drags are out but when it comes down to the public to want to dance after everything over the music not that great so I get there in time enough to see the drag show like to stay a little longer after that to actually dancing mingle with people but like I said the music is nowhere near the way it used to be and food is a give and take I have never eaten dinner or brunch there but the menu appear to be reasonable .definitely Covid safe until it gets too crowded then Im out of there by that time then again it depends on the individual.

Went here was persecuted for being gay I was told this I was a gay bar pass on this because they didnt actually believe in gay rites

I’m giving them a 4 because they need more bartenders (not saying they were bad the drinks were great) it was just a very busy night and they only had one bartender working. Everything was fun and amazing! The chicken needed a little more seasoning but overall that was my first time and I had such a great experience there! I will definitely be back!!!

I loved the people there. The crowd is great I made lots of friends. Pretty young crowd. But this one bouncer was a huge Debbie downer. Me and another person stepped 2 feet out the door to hug our friends goodbye and she wouldnt let us back in (literally 2 feet, she watched us hug them). Our cards, jackets and friends were all inside, we paid $20 to get in there. They werent closing for another 40 minutes. Locked out. Idk if thats normal but it definitely was a sour ending from a great night being locked out from your friends dancing inside no idea where you went. If this is a normal practice Ive never encountered it.

This is hands down the best gay bar in Richmond. From two main bars to a third patio bar, jello shots, dance floor, pool tables, they support Stonewall Sports. Great mixed drinks, great prices, great music. Themed danced parties!!!!! I have so much fun here and always feel safe and welcomed. I met two bartenders Chaz and Patrick who are so funny and nice, this place is your one stop for gay bars in Richmond!!!!

2nd time visiting this establishment and can truly say this was the biggest mistake. The night I visit no doubt they were over capacity & Security and the person at the door were still letting people in.

Writing this review in defense of my friends who went to Babes of Carytown on the night of Nov. 19, 2022, and as a general word of caution for those thinking of patronizing this bar.Two of my friends — Friend A and Friend B — had planned for a nice night out at Babes, a space they generally regarded as safe.Throughout the course of the night Friend A had noticed a man leering at them throughout the night, but just brushed it off as a typical creep at a bar. However, while dancing, this man made an uninvited advance on them, touching their body. Understandably upset, they turned around and pushed the man away, knocking his drink out of his hand. The man then struck Friend A in the face.Friend A immediately went to security to inform them of the assault on their person. Security then spoke with the man, and came back to my friend. Security informed both friends that they needed to leave or be banned. Security cited that Friend A had been there the previous night and were baiting men to pick fights — an egregious lie. Security also said the assailant was a known regular, and implied that his word weighed heavier than theirs.Shocking victim blaming and gaslighting, all coming from an establishment meant to be a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community.Around this time Friend B began feeling incredibly intoxicated, despite only having a couple drinks. They complained of mental fog and nausea. As they were both leaving, Friend B began to vomit, believing their body was attempting to get rid of something. The next day they had no recollection of the previous night. In short, we believe they were drugged while at Babes. While this may not be the fault of the establishment, it is certainly concerning.So, me and my friends will not be returning to Babes anytime soon, and I encourage readers of this review to find another bar to give your money to.

Fun bar and atmosphere. Drinks are decently priced. Its so nice being able to go to one of the last few lesbian bars in the US, although it was a straight fest when i went. Would still go back though!

Solid and friendly place with a few quirks. Need to show proof of vax even if you’re a regular (the bouncer is quite adamant about it). No explicit music. Weak Jell-O shots (but also just $1 so can’t complain). There’s a possibility your feet will land on something sharp if you’re in the volleyball court outside.The highlight would definitely be the food though. It lacks seasoning but at least it’s crunchy and greasy to satisfy those cravings.

I love this place every time I go late nights. You can always dance. You can always sing along. The crowd on the floor is always into. If you decide you want some quiet time or privacy, the booths right when you come in are great for that, no matter the time of night. They have a bar and a couple of pool tables. No one is ever in a bad mood! Its just fun! And drag night is A+++ for a good time, if youre on the fence. Ive gone to Babes since I was old enough to go out, and Ill be going there probably until Im too old to go out :)

I went to Babes for their “Babes Goes Punk” night and it was the most fun I’ve had in Richmond! There was a diverse, upbeat playlist of early 2000s music and the food was awesome, as were the drinks. I loved the overall vibe. Can’t wait to visit again with my friends soon!

My partner and I were really excited to visit this bar in my hometown after watching the lesbian bar project.We arrived to the bar to a closed door with a sign on the outside saying wait outside, have ID and proof of vaccination . We waited outside for a minute and no one came to the door. So we went inside and was greeted by a bartender with an attitude who asked ID and proof of vaccinationWe complied and sat down at the bar. The bartender was less than friendly to put it kindly. She asked us what we wanted from the poorly stocked bar..we chose 2 ciders on draft.As more people walked in. The bartender was less consistent on who she asked ID and proof of vaccination from. It appeared that she did not make this request of those who looked like her,, and even acknowledged some people were regulars and therefore exempt from showing the proof and vaccination and ID. For the record, my partner nor I do not look anything like her!Also, my gf and I were the only ones at the bar, and she did not take the chance to make small talk outside of asking for our drink order. She spent most of her time on her phone in front of us.I dont want to be disparaging to one of the few Lesbian-owned bars in the nation. But in an effort to maintain a safe space for ALL, Id recommend some consistency and warmth in their people practices.

I really like the atmosphere and I always get my drinks super fast. The patio is a good spot to take a breather. The only downside is that is always packed but I guess everyone likes it too so thats why its always packed. The owner is super cool and its a great place to go and dance, play pool and have fun. Also the dj is always playing the best music!

Called before I came in asked if there were tvs at the bar lady on the phone said yes. As im from Pennsylvania. As we walked in we noticed there wasnt many people. Said tvs werent at the bar, one was above the door way when you walk in and the other was by the restrooms. No music was playing nor the sound on tvs. Trying to give the bar a chance we got a drink and it was a cup of juice for $7 no liquor we then asked if she could change the channel the bartender told me she would try if they had the channel. After waiting 10 mins we decide to leave went to the bar Took another 10 mins to get our tab to pay

Babies was a gay friendly neighborhood place to go. 699 lunch specials are amazing. definitely right price I had the leftover meatloaf from yesterdays menu was absolutely one of the best I ever had in the restaurant. most of the guys in the group Head turkey was dressing that feels more than the platter and it was all for $6.99. Absolutely terrific! And every piece of pumpkin pie also... Wow!

The best spot to dance! Everyone is here for a good time, not to harass others. There is a dance floor and pool tables inside. Outside there is corn hole and a volleyball court. This venue has it all. I absolutely love this place and would recommend it to people who just want to dance. There is a five dollar cover on Saturday nights to accommodate that excellent atmosphere. Totally worth it!

Horrible rude service. I only asked for a menu. And was snapped at.. twice. One server at some point told are group to move on I was the DD and not drinking.. unbelievable rude!

A little confusing to figure out tbh, but that might be my own fault. Ive never been to a queer bar before and so I didnt realize how many rules/expectations there were. The person checking the vaccination cards was so nice though and wished me a happy birthday when I went! I really wanted to see the patio and volleyball court but I couldnt figure out how to get there...

Was brought here by my darling Sebastian~! He insisted, & I can certainly see why. Very friendly people, and a clean, welcoming environment. I can appreciate that there wasnt political stuff all over (nothing pushing left or right, that is), making this place legitimately inclusive in every way. I enjoyed my time there. LOVE the back area, love the karaoke, just... overall a great time. Ended the night being sang to, so how can I complain? Would love to go back!

Fun queer place where they make everyone feel welcome! If youre a guy, dont worry, youll be welcome!! I thought it was a lesbian bar so was a little scared that I wouldnt be welcome. Couldnt have been further from the truth.

This place was a frequented place I visited when I lived in Richmond. Now that I visit, I Like to go to have fun and enjoy the music and drinks. The crowd is inclusive and everyone is having fun. The outdoor area provides a different social atmosphere if you need a break from the dancing to get air. An outdoor volleyball court in the summer is a wonderful way to engage with new people and make lasting friendships.

For a night of dancing, drinks, and jello shots.....Babes is the place in Richmond VA. The music is pop and a good variety of top 100 hits from 80s to present. Some nights are better than others based on music and crowd but its always a good time.

I have so much fun at Wednesday night karaoke. The staff are a little stern, but the crowd is usually good company. If your LGBTQIA+ I recommend checking this place out.

Im eating brunch in the same place I had a great time last night. I have been to gay establishments all over the country and this, my friends, is a gem. While its nothing super fancy, the staff, atmosphere, the patio and the location are great. Heres the thing about this place, I feel like everyone (regardless of who you are) is welcome and this place exists without pretense. Its chill. This is the first time Ive felt this way in Richmond after visiting several establishments. LGBT of Richmond, Im a little jealous you have this place and that its not in Rochester, NY. Also, Melodie is such a sweetheart. Shes everything right now. Slay.

Fun place to go dancing on weekends, or play volleyball out back on the sand! Havent eaten there but word is food is good. Crowd is welcoming to all. Gets crazy busy after 10 pm on weekend nights.

Entering here is like walking into an abyss of something almost indescribable, mostly because you cant see anything in this dark and dirty dive.A place where youd want to check your glass before they pour anything into it to assure that its been washed. Its probably been washed, but youll just have the feeling that it hasnt.Staff is generally friendly and patrons are usually fun, but this is a very restrictive bar with lots of rules that really take the fun out of your evening. You cant even enter without a covid passport, which I think will kill a lot of business for them.Better and much more open and much more accepting establishments around, where you wont feel like youre in school with a teacher standing next to you ready to slap your hand with a ruler.Not a place for me anymore

A solid middle of the road choice if youre looking for a dive bar. Lesbian clientele notwithstanding, the staff are great, the bartender remembered my name after only a couple of visits, and the kitchen gives extra love to the burgers if there arent crowds. Speaking of which, the burgers are delicious. Karaoke could be better, would like to see more song choices.

A great bar with excellent dancing and killer drag shows, but the staff always seems like they could care less about you. Not to mention Ive had several friends asked to leave due to some arbitrary dress code violation. It wouldnt be a big deal if there was actually a posted sign anywhere about what said dress code IS, but it seems were just made to guess.

We went for a friends birthday party. There lemon drop shot is delicious. My husband and I had fun and everyone was very friendly and nice. Definitely will go again.

10 out of 10. Cheep beer, boys, and babes. What more could you want? I’ve met a few guys here and have always had a fun time. Now that I’m in a committed relationship I still go here and enjoy the beers. I run into some past lovers and that’s always a great time.

Such a fun place and great atmosphere and music and friendly staff

This is a fantastic place if you want to get roofied. Also a great place if you love standing at bars to watch me get served and you ignored.

Its a fun and accepting place. I was told that they closed at 2am when I went on Saturday, but there was a young lady who who insisted that we get up and leave around 1:30. While trying to order our ride home, she yelled at me and my friend. As we slowly got up, she continued to yell. It was cold outside, and Im not sure why she was rude. Other than that, the music was great.

Wow Really!!!! Every other non- minor you let in . But when it comes to others, you need to see Proof of vaccination of the COVID-19. Maybe put that on google so everyone knows and doesnt waste their time. I will not waste my money at this out-of-date place.Its amazing yall have been open for so long and this place has not done anything to update. This place can take peoples money but, can not even change the decor, customer service, music, etc.***A great place to go to that is well diverse with LGBTQ + is SWITCH BAR on W.Broad St. Great updated music and drinks.

Not for straight men! Never commit to an invitation if you dont know where your going. Other than that I never got hit on and it did not seem much different from any other bar except some guys dress like women. Other than that it was a great night with a bunch of friends!

This is my second time coming to this establishment. Today, Stonewall sports had a series of kickball games going on. This bar was a sponsor for Stonewall, and should have known after three weeks of games, that on Sundays it would be crowded, and to be staffed properly, not just one cook and two bartenders. My three friends and I entered the establishment at 4:20 and placed our four burger orders at 4:30. My bf and I placed our burgers on the same check. Our first burger didnt get out till 5:10, then my bfs at 5:15, then mine and my female friends at 5:30. They mixed up my bfs and mine burger order with well done and medium. My female friend got an uncooked burger bun covered in flower and a side of chips instead of fries. We asked for the manager from a staff working on restock, and she brought us to the bartender instead who was a white female with glasses. At this time, it had started pouring rain and everyone outside had started coming inside asking her for drinks. When we told her our issue with the bun and side and wanted to get my female friend a refund on her check, she just went into the register, gave us $7.00, didnt apologize for the inconvenience and went off to continue making drinks. I wanted to clarify the pricing with the burger since my friend paid $11.00 in total including a soda. She rudely told her that she paid for a $2.00 coke, rolled her eyes as if we were wasting her time, and went off. I immediately brought my issue to the other female bartender who was more professional in listening instead of being dismissive. As a previuos resturant server, I cant condone a high stressful situation with a crowded bar to be the reason a bartender was being unprofessional and dismissive. As a gay man, I was appalled how a female bartender at a lesbian bar would give more respect to speaking to the gay men there then how she rudely spoke to my female friend. Overall review, long wait times, flat soda, a rude unprofessional bartender, a slow cook who doesnt check the food for safety. Only pluses would be if your underage, you can enter the establishment or get alcohol here without being carded because none of my friends or I were today. I dont plan on coming back or recommending this location.

Im not gay and the place made my wife and I feel welcomed. The dj played hits( songs that everyone knows), and the drinks were strong. Make sure you use the bathroom before you go though. Bathrooms are located through a tiny Hall in the back of the building and are packed. They arent very clean either. Caters to the college crowd primarily.

I am not LGBTQ+, but have had a great time at Babes the few times I have been there!Whats great:•Dancing is some of the best in richmond, an eccentric dance floor. There was a tango line one night•Large selection at the bar•Very positive mood, fun!What to know:•Can have a $5 cover on weekends, they accepted card at the bar inside

Update: I just noticed the owner responded with a thumbs up. This was not a good review so a thumbs up is clearly sarcastic and unprofessional.Great for drinks and great DJ, but $5 cover is way too much for what I got tonight, bringing the stars down. Got skipped ordering food even tho my friend and I walked up at the same time and were next to each other (and the place was not that crowded), making my food come out at least 20 minutes after his. Had to ask for a box when it finally came cuz I needed to get home. Burger was overcooked; only monsters like their burgers well done. To make it even drier, it didnt have the mayo I asked for. My dog liked it tho 🤷‍♀️

My bestfriend and I had an amazing time here. It was mostly empty when we got there but quickly picked up. Met some amazing and nice people here! Visiting home on vacation; my bestie and I wanted to go out together. Will definitely come back on the next trip home. Great staff too!

Not a big fan. I didnt realize this was a lesbian bar. I think I saw 7 men. I love a good lesbian bar, but not this one. Great outdoor area. They literally only played 90s music on pride weekend. Come on....Lets get in the gig.

Great for late night activities. The bar staff are good at what they do. The atmosphere is very energetic and fun. Usually have a DJ or live music on the weekends. Great for dancing.

Great atmosphere. DJ plays throw backs and currents. Drink choices a bit limited. The patio is great for catching some air and conversation. Watch out for phone thieves.

Boring establishment! I’ve only been here twice and it is the last time I will. First of the first time I went there one of the bartenders stole my debit card, they begged to open a tab for me and when I asked for my card back at the end of the night they were like “no, I don’t have it” Went back the next day and another waitress said “you probably dropped it or left it in a taxi or Uber” I didn’t even drink that night so I remember exactly what happened, he said at the end of the night they run the card even if it was forgotten at the end of the night, so if he didn’t have it how did I get charged?? Anyways they need to update the music and staff because everything is like from the Stone Age, what a way to keep your business out of business.

All walks of life. All pedal- no brake. Need I say more. Thx X

I will say this. I was going to Babes back in 1990. The music wasnt geared towards black culture. But it was the only place in Richmond for us to hang out. Then there came other places.( will not name). Was great for a while. Then these places started drawing younger crowds. With younger crowds sometimes bring immaturity. For my age group that was a bit too much, so we bit the bullet and went back to babes. I recently relocated back to the area and went to babes with some friends to celebrate my birthday. we had a great time. music shock the hell out of me. They have come a long way! We as black culture (lesbian) have to start taking care of and support the places that are geared towards what we like(music). I cant blame babes for not making our music a top priority. Look how many places that gear towards us that have closed down do to no support or trouble. Babes have been around a lot time. Because they have done something other havent. Stayed loyal to their clientele and kept supporting and taking care of their spot.

As far as Richmond, VA is concerned, Babes of Carytown is the place to go when you want to dance. Saturdays are the best night and the place will be packed. Good selection of music played by the DJs, and very friendly staff.

Complete drunken, bore full of the 3 or 4 drag queens loved by their fans. Can not talk to anyone. Lots of loud music and narcissistic people, too too fab. I am an older guy from the 80s disco and well dressed set. Also, live in Europe most of the time. Other young people had a GREAT TIME and I am glad for them. God will lead this queen on..... :)

Babes can be fun as long as you’re with a fun group. It’s not without a few faults; the bar hasn’t been updated in years, yes this includes the restrooms which do not need adequate fire code, also the crowd control on a Saturday night is a joke. Level set your expectations before you come to this bar.

I’d like to begin this review by acknowledging that babes is one of the few remaining LGBTQ bars and tends to host the most “popular” Saturday night. I always lend my gratitude to an establishment that is dedicated to, or supporting of, the LGBTQ community. However, with one of the few (if only) cash cover bars left in Richmond, paired with extremely rude employees, a hazardous environment due bathroom lines and narrow passages/ heavy foot traffic, nightly bar fights, aggressive security staff and the “babes soundtrack” of the same music played every Saturday night – it leaves one to wonder, are the cheap drinks and Jell-O shots really worth it?Let me paint a picture of a Saturday night at babes for those that may be interested. You will arrive and likely stand on a line being told the bar is at capacity. While in the line, you may be greeted with, “better pee outside in the alley before coming in, the bathroom lines are way too long! Totally acceptable. This goes on until 1130/12am and then the entire line is let in, paying the aggressive $5 cover for a Richmond bar - greeted by the disgruntled host who is happy to take your money. You then order drinks (bar staff are typically always friendly so that’s a plus), and then make your way to the dance floor. I would like to note that the music you are listening to is the exact same as it has been for years – as if they plop on a playlist every Saturday evening. You may be fortunate enough to get a drink spilt on you as a bouncer carries a patron out of the bar; luckily they stopped serving in glass cups. Around 1:20/1:30 they begin to make last call announcements with lights on at 1:50 – music is off and bouncers and staff are aggressively herding everyone out onto the sidewalk with a seemingly angry attitude while yelling. A specific example of this: I mentioned to my friend that it was freezing and it wasn’t even 2 yet, it would be nice to not be shoved onto the sidewalk – a member of the security staff was apparently listening and fired back - “bring a jacket next time!” – was that necessary? Also, as if there is a coat-check at babes!Typically you don’t leave a bar angry after having a night out with friends, but after being treated and herded around like cattle it leaves you not only feeling unappreciated, but that you’re truly just profit. Babes seemingly takes advantage of the LGBTQ community and is a cash-cow, concerned only with profits, taking advantage of their competitive standpoint in the Richmond community. Richmond has evolved to have many LGBTQ friendly bars/establishments and sponsored events that definitely make for a more welcoming and overall positive experience.

Terrible food. Terrible Vibes, depressing atmosphere and watered down drinks. Just seems to want to cash in on the LGBTQ community. This place is a cash grab. Owner should be ashamed. Do not visit unless you want that helpless hand on the shoulder feeling.

My friend was at this place a few days ago and lost her keys, she called them and was told that they were there. I stopped to pick them up. I spoke with the bartender, his name was Chad, he was very rude, unpleasant and unwilling to help. I have never experienced such a rude person from the start. If you plan to attend this establishment, I hope you will go when anyone other than Chad is not working!!!!

Richmond’s best place to dance! Babes is always fun on a Saturday night and everybody is welcome here. There is one main bar with another tiki area out back that leads to the large volleyball courts. The service is excellent even when there’s a crowd.

I go on Saturday nights. Its crowded by 10:30ish. You can eat, dance, enjoy a breeze out back or play pool. Go to the bar when the crowd is jumping for quick service. Age average is 30ish. The crowd has a tispy, friendly vibe. I always enjoy myself.

Best late night dance spot!

My gf had raved about this place. Since we were in town for a day, we went for lunch, The food was great. The decor was drab and almost depressing. Being there when its empty made the rest of the reviews make sense just looking around the place. Especially with the bathrooms. It was very underwhelming.

I only visit on the occasional Sunday Brunch. Its a fun place to sit at the window and enjoy the parade of people walking by in Carytown, very friendly, great care and service by Jonah, really good and very well priced brunch. I particularly enjoy their omelettes and bottomless cup of good coffee!

I have been a supporter of Babes due purely to the safe space it provides for the LGBTQ+ community in Richmond. Which made it all the more devastating, and absolutely unnecessary, that management made the decision to close at 5:30 PM on the Sunday of Watermelon Festival, expelling a bar literally full of patrons into the pouring rainstorms knowing that some members of this community have nowhere to go. Language used by the staff was, If you dont have an open bar tab, get the f#$k out, and it was unacceptable and I dont believe any human should be spoken to that way. Every establishment in Carytown remained open, but you pushed your community out the door when they were more than willing to stay and support your business. The hours posted on your building say until 8 PM or later and this was ignored with no explanation.

At night this place is very much a go-to place for the LGBTQ scene. Youll find all types of ages and backgrounds just looking to socialize with others. For example, I came here and was introduced to Stonewall sports people. I dont like clubs, or drinking really, but I cant deny that I wouldnt be playing kickball with a bunch of new friends if I hadnt come here.

Make sure to check which events are happening on the time you want to come. This place is always hosting events and if youre just trying to come for a calm drink you may walk into a party. The staff is great regardless and its good place to have some fun.

An establishment that is LGBTQIA oriented and run by afab (assigned female at birth) folks, you would expect to be treated properly however you interpret the gender spectrum. I had to walk out because I was not only physically touched by security (skirt lifted up) but my expression of my body and my gender was not valued or read well what so ever. Their policy asks that their guests cover privates and my privates were very much covered. But because I presented my gender in such a way/ expressed my body in such a way my entry was turned down by security. I am not only mad but disappointed that a bar that includes queer community would not let me express myself to the fullest extent.

Fun atmosphere, good drinks, good music. Its considered a lesbian bar but gay & straight guy and girls frequent there. Very welcoming to all (diverse).

Thursday night is drag night! They have Red Bull and vodka. DJs Friday and Saturday. Their drinks are strong. Ive gotten kicked out of there once. Ive also got a DUI from leaving this bar to. So Id have to say their drinks are strong. Uber everywhere you go especially if youre drinking. A great place to go and come out of the closet.

Babes is a little taste of big city in the small city. The amenities and decor are minimal and ugly but the scene is amazing. Don’t be scared by the “gay” bar - come on a Friday or Saturday night and have the dance party of your life!Bring your friends, let loose and enjoy a goooooood time. Wear you sequins or fresh track suit and be prepared to meet people and have fun.They have a volleyball court out back where parties get bumpin on special occasions.Hanging out for pride? Arrive early the line will be wrapping all the way around the block!

One if you want to kick someone out because they’re drunk, I have no problem with that (did that to me) but was also there on a Thursday night and I was so much more drunk than I was tonight and y’all kept serving me (shots at that) so don’t act like you’re doing it out of concern. On slow nights you need money....be consistent

One of the reasons we knew we’d love moving to Richmond was Babe’s. Six years later and the crew still delivers a wonderfully diverse, welcoming, fun time every night of the week. I’m proud of Babe’s and its firm place in RVA’s rainbow community!

Came here on Friday, May 26th to celebrate my 26th birthday and dance with my girlfriends. Had such an unpleasant experience with the woman who was checking IDs, even though we were all prepared to pay the cover charge and all well over 21. She was extremely and unnecessarily rude despite the other staff being normal. Hopefully this woman is not working if I ever decide to go back!

Went here last weekend with some friends. I had a really excellent time until it was time to leave. I walked past the bouncers, and upon feeling the crisp 20-something breeze coming in from the open door, I realized that I had forgotten my jacket at the other end of the bar. My friend had the same realization, and we both asked the bouncers if we could fetch our jackets. MISTAKE. They expressed that we must wait until the bar was completely empty to re-enter and get our jackets. We suggested several different ways that we could get our jackets that might be agreeable for all of us (call a friend inside, be escorted to our jackets), but we were met with name calling and threats to call the police for reasons they could not specify.If Im anything, Im persistent (and very cold in this case) so I kept trying to rationalize with one of the bouncers. MISTAKE 2. You cant rationalize with a gal on a power trip. Our brave keeper of the door, after threatening to call the cops on me several times, accused me of being armed, shouted to the people around her that I was armed, shoved me out the door, and slammed & locked the door in my face. For context, I am a small Latina woman about the size of your average middle school student, so a hard shove really sent a girl flying. And no, I was not armed.Anyway, if youre looking for casual assault, inflammatory accusations, and the loss of a great jacket, Babes is the place to be!

My experience was good and 1st time being in a gay bar; however the bartender was taken 2 long with talking 2 some1 else and not seeing what I want. But overall Im enjoying myself.

The DJ IS TERRIBLE!! He plays nothing but music from 10+ years ago! And a lot of it is music you can’t even dance to. There’s nothing wrong with playing older music sometimes, but he plays it nonstop. When I go to a club I wanna hear music that’s recent, not music from when I was in elementary school. Other than that, the club is pretty cool.

Love to see an establishment that takes health and safety protocols seriously. The patio bartender Chaz had the best energy and made it such a positive experience to come back to after the pandemic kept us away.

My favorite LGBT bar in Richmond. Fairly priced drinks, friendly staff, great music, outdoor smoking patio, and volley ball.

I am an avid supporter of Babes and the space it provides for the LGBT community in Richmond. However, I found it completely unnecessary that the decision by management to close at 530 PM on the Sunday of watermelon festival when it was pouring rain and your patrons had no where to go was unacceptable. Every establishment in carytown remained open but you pushed your community out the door when they were more than willing to stay and support your business. The hours posted on your building say until 8 PM or later and you disregarded that.

Last time i was here...i was so bored i had to listen to my own music! The only thing that was interesting was the poor lil dog the lady had in her purse at the bar😂 Po dog...it look like that lady was sneaking drinks to the dog. It was hanging out of the purse. Maybe it was trying to escape😂😂😂😂. I left after being there only about 15 minutes....DAMN, this used to be one of my favorite spots. Yall need to tighten up up...SHEESH

First time going, Had a ball on the dance floor.. unfortunately my bartender was so rude & unprofessional I decided against eating or drinking here. I would go again though.

Funny someone previously mentioned racial profiling. I was in there 60 seconds looking around to see if there was anything going on to interest me, and a woman - 55ish - approached and asked what I was looking for, and not in a Welcome to Babes kind of tone. I was dressed in business casual, and I ended up buying a beer and leaving. Not any other conspicuous p.o.c. except for one black couple. This was a weeknight and some theatrical deal was coming together out on the sand volleyball court. Nice large space. Nice area.

Great experience for first timers. Bartenders and staff was awesome. And patrons was fun and friendly. No drama just fun. Last call for alcohol at 1:35am

I am a military veteran with a certified service dog. I attempted to go to this bar tonight and was turned away. Not only is this illegal in Virginia, but shows how the staff feels about our American Veterans. I advise you to not support this business. And yes, i will be contacting a lawyer.

My gf and I visited from VA Beach and stopped by this bar 2 nights in a row. Awesome scene and service. We loved it and will definitely go back anytime we are in Richmond ❤.

Great bar, fun karaoke, a lot of areas to connect with friends in without being in the loud main area, several individual gender neutral bathrooms, outside area, good food.

Nestled down in Carytown, it’s the perfect spot to begin the night or end it. From Thursday night Drag shows to a Saturday night club scene, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. I personally love coming here because it’s a judgment free zone and it attracts all walks of life from bachelorette parties to the nearest Wells Fargo employees trying to de stress Thursday night. Amen for babes! Gotta love the Triple X Divas too. Stop by and see them Thursday nights!

Okay place. Places copious amounts of dance music. Friendly people. Security is intense but I guess thats a good thing compared to the alternative. Laid-back atmosphere.

The music was ok, but the atmosphere was ok but much out dated. The drinks are alright tasted water down, music was too retro, which they played more up to date stuff

A Richmond tradition! In normal times theres always fun events going on here. In covid times, they have outdoor seating, reasonably priced beer and good fried food!

Hands down one of my favorite bars of all time you go there to have a good time is not ever overcrowded they actually have a back porch and you can play volleyball jello shots are dollar there drag shows are amazing we always have a good time at Babes of Carytown

Babes goes punk IS THE BEST EVER!!! Don’t missif you’re a millennial emo. Amazing music and DJ. Cannot get enough!

Worst establishment I have ever been too I have never felt comfortable there especially for karaoke dealing with self centered people who cant take jokes about things they have started and said and yet they got me in trouble its ok I have been to worst karaoke bars that have treated me a lot better but I wish them all the success they can get but as far as for me they judged me since day one which is fine because Im glad I will never be back there ever again

Way bigger than it looks from the outside, with huge volleyball Sandy back area and outside bar. Rail is $5 and my cover was $5. Jello shots $1. It was nice, better than Godfreys.

Bartenders are great, the crowd is great. Always a great time. A plus is they check your vax card when they check your ID. Wish more places did that.

I always meet great people here and have a fantastic time!! Best drag show in Richmond in my opinion. All the best nights seem to end here.

The music could be better. It’s a diverse place and they always mixing good rap or r&b music with techno. But overall friendly and good place to chill. But if you want good music this not the spot

We were there at a booth and they forcefully removed us when it was only 1:48 am because “they deal with drunk people” and forced a friend to either leave or chug her beer before we left and before 02:00 am. They also closed and locked the main front door which is a fire hazard while people occupied the premises.

Really good place. Open to everyone and excellent music and drinks.this place have improve the patio and they request the vaccinations card.

Fun place with nice apps.

Awesome place to eat, have a mixed drink and enjoy yourself with live music indoors at certain times and a sand volley ball court in the back. Great place! Give it a try.

Security is rude and on a powertrip, still very overpriced, and you can tell the staff is only interested in the money. As far as (LGBT) bars in Richmond are concerned, dont bother.

**Update**This place requires vaccination to go inside & will ask for proof. Bummer for those who cant get vaccinated. Still love this place hopefully that rule will change soon.

The patio is open for the post COVID party ladies we look forward to seeing ya ! On a real note the patio is open with lots of space and fresh air!

We stopped by for lunch..staff was very rude and we saw roaches crawling on the floor. I would definitely stay away from this place unless you like extra protein in your food.

Require vacination cards at the door. Not worth going. Staff is incredibly rude. Especially the guy with long curly hair.

Cozy bar for LGBTQ+ and allies alike. Decent late night menu and drinks are ok.

Babes is the bomb but the DJ spinning the same tracks every Saturday makes you grow bored of it. Everytime I go its a few regulars and a lot of new faces who havent grown sick of the same ol soundtrack. I love Whitney to death but if I hear I wanna dance with somebody one more time...HEY MR DJ PLAY SOME RIHANNA

Deceptive seeing the outside from the street, the place is quite spacious. Fun dance parties and karaoke. Now that it is warm, there is outdoor sand volleyball upstairs!

The bartender at the patio last night Chaz(sp) was amazing, he made the tastiest lemon drops & was so much fun ! will definitely be back :)

My first time going and it was a blast!!! I will most definitely will be going back!!!

Great Watermelon Festival venue! Great entertainment and good food.

Great crowd and staff! Lots of good times...dont forget to check out Chicki Parm and friends at the next drag show!! EPIC!!

Ive been coming here for years, the door can be rough but sometimes they have to be. The drinks are good and the food is nice try the hummus plate!

Always a fun time. The Get your Shot, or Go somewhere else, is an added bonus, in these difficult times. Thank you staff for always providing a safe place.

Food is terrible at their Sunday brunch. Used to be really good but that and the am lady server has a bad attitude. For a bar, its a quaint place to hang on a Saturday night in Cary town

You can always depend on food and an actual atmosphere that you can talk with other people and hear

Hands down my favorite place to hangout in all of Richmond. Friendly atmosphere with fairly priced drinks. Babes is lit!

I love watching the drag shows here ...the back bartender is awesome and very experienced she remembered a drink from weeks ago that I had asked for I love that type of service will definitely continue to come for that type of service

Nice fun spot. Very friendly staff, professional and courteous.

Babes is by far my favorite place to go dancing, watch Drag Race at, and see Drag Queens perform. Super friendly staff, cant recommend enough.

Great staff, huge outdoor area, cheap but good drinks, great dance floor lots of fun people

Great vibes. Any place that’ll play whitney Houston makes me happy. Good drinks. Friendly staff.

Terrible music BUT u can still have fun..the crowds great..we enjoyed ourselves last weekend :-) only bad thing the bartender told us to order our food 10minutes b4 closing and when we went to order he was lik,oh my bad the kitchens alrdy closed..he apologized but we were still hungry,lol..no big deal tho..we will b back

Great for the younger LGBT. Drinks are strong and the music is mostly good. Nice outside area too.

The food wasnt great, but the staff was really nice, they have music, and they gave away stuff from alcohol companies, like Fireball chapsticks and Bandanas, t-shirts, stickers, and shot glasses.

Had a great time definitely be back nice people running the place drinks were right on time and music was great

This isnt the place to drag your daughter to for her 21st. Its just an old scene and a huge disappointment to younger people. I have alot of regrets of my 2st but this is probably the biggest one.

If you act responsible, they will take care of you till the end. This place, and all the employees will assure you that this is, indeed, a safe environment.

Pro: watched Ru Pauls Drag Race with a room of hilarious commentators.Con: it smelled like old bar rag and the drinks were a little short on the drink and tall on the ice.

Awesome until they let more and more people in until I couldnt walk it was so crowded. Had to leave early because we could not move ues restroom dance or anything.

They sold tickets for New years Eve for 8pm, then didnt open until 9pm. Other than that, I had a great time.

Love it! The bar staff is absolutely amazing and everyone is so friendly. I bring people all the time and theyve never left without a smile.

One of the better Halloween parties Ive been to always fun to hit the volleyball court, as long as you dont lose the ball.

Didnt eat but the atmosphere was great

Really fun to go here for the fun crowd, drag show or weekend nights for some dancing. They offer food and sunday brunch!

They required the vaccine card proof FYIWould’ve been nice to know before travelingEverybody doesn’t have a Facebook.. and you don’t know where people are coming from! And being sarcastic with a stale grin doesn’t change the fact that you don’t have this posted anywhere!!!!!!!!!

Tons of fun, good people, but so crowded! Weve always had a blast going for a girls night out.

I dont recall the DJs name but he was amazing he was playing great relevant songs with a great mix I wish he would come to Raleigh have to find out who he was asap!!!

Great environment. Bartenders barely add any alcohol to their drinks, so its best to pregame before going.

Our motorcycle riding club meets every month, on Sunday morning. Breakfast is good there and people is friendly.

A great very popular bar for karaoke, good food great drinks and great people, awesome alternative lifestyle kind of place if you go there go there with an open mind, cuz nothing else should be tolerated

Went for drinks and dancing. Great group and very welcoming to All!

Decent place to hang out with friends, though it does have a $5 cover fee.

I found this to be an unfriendly place. Perhaps I was too conservatively dressed or drinking more slowly than expected. Irrespective, I cannot recommend this location.

I went during happy hour. I plan to go during the next OG event!

Love coming here, drinking and playing volleyball. The food is good too! Great place to meet some new people.

The bar and club was a lot of fun. The mixed drinks were not good though.

Bartenders were not friendly, it was Sunday afternoon so nothing was going on. Place was too dark even though it was afternoon, kind of dirty. Pictures were deceiving, the patio does not look the same.

Theyre insisting everyone get a vaccine to even come in. Im ineligible to get one for medical reasons. Guess theyre all about discrimination now.

Great atmosphere, awesome theme nights and parties. Great deals on drinks! Plus sand volleyball outback!

Great show, friendly crowd, nice environment. Also have proof of vax card with you

Saturdays are the best nights for queer folk! Great music and drinks!! Bartenders are awesome as well

I go here all the time! Great food and specials! Thursdays and Fridays are such a good time! The food specials are amazing!!

Great lesbian bar! Also appreciate that they check Vax cards at the door!

Gay dive bar but they dont discriminate against us straight folk. Everyone was nice and its a lot of fun.

I enjoyed myself beer staff waitress was very nice and the music was great great place to go dancing

Love the staff here. They help deliver an amazing experience! Awesome dance floor and back patio!

Babes is popular because its an open and comfortable atmosphere. Plus the gay guys buys my drinks lol I love them

Th staff is extremely rude and refuse to listen or have rationale conversations. It appears many of the bouncers enjoy the power trip they are on.

Sort of stumbled onto this Babes on a Friday night as everything else was closed. Had a good time surprisingly, only a decent amount of people. DJ was decent.

Great lgbtq-and-everyone-else friendly dive bar. Line dancing, drag show and college nights, sand pit volleyball court in the back.

No diversity at all and terrible back to school commercial, jcpennys dressing room music

Fun party atmosphere. A must see in Richmond, AND they have help shots.

I loved it. Everyone is so respectful and I had a wonderful time 🙂😊💕

The DJ tonight was so rude and didnt even know the top 100 pop songs available. Completely useless

First timer and I went alone and had a great time. Met some new friends. Great music and drinks

Top of line for entertainment in Richmond. Loveeeee it!!

One of the less than 21 Les bars left in the States. Very cozy and memorable night.

It was ok but alot of younger kids now that hangs in there.it not like it was years ago when I visit ,Richmond.va

As a proud member of the LGBTQIA community this place is absolutely wonderful the employees are wonderful and the respect is unmatched ❤️

Food and drinks are amazing, but its the incredibly kind staff that really sets the experience apart.

This place is great until there are so many people that you cant move. Im not a frequent visitor, so if youre into this sort of thing, more power to you.

They play out dated music but cheap drinks. Overall if you go and have 2 drinks..its fun

Great crowd, but the food is always... meh? Awesome staff and split bar