This is a turnoff from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was impressed that the commitment was made to the…read moremusic of the mountains. There are daily small-scale performances in an open section of the visitor center, which I stopped to listen to for a bit. An outdoor amphitheater offers larger scale performance opportunities, which I wish I'd found the occasion to come down for. Additionally, there are a couple of miles of trails on the site which run through bucolic hilly territory and offer a variety of sights and sounds. There is no charge to visit the site, and an abundance of reasons to be driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Note that the musical performances are seasonal.

This was a great place to stop while I rode through the Blue Ridge Parkway on my motorcycle. I…read moreneeded to take a break, and as somebody who likes to play the guitar (calling myself a musician might be a bit of a stretch) I couldn't pass this one by. They have a wonderful little museum on the history and development of Appalachian music and instruments. Some of it is interactive as well. I was there on a Saturday and they had local musicians playing some of the old Appalachian music outside in a little covered area, sponsored by the BLM I am assuming. In a smaller building they have a whole section pertaining to the old moonshiners of the region, explaining their craft and their inevitable run-ins with the revenuers. I didn't make too many stops along the way but I am very glad this was one of them as it was totally worth it!

Our first time here will definitely not be our last! We loved this venue! We attended the CJ…read moreBallard band and Jump Van Halen Tribute band concert. Everything was perfect! Looking forward to seeing other events here! Highly recommend!

What a fun fantastic place! Unless its raining and its too late to move inside its a wonderful…read morevenue for concerts! The food truck was good, woukd like to see a bigger beer selection, friendly service & what a setting!!!!

We wanted to try a new place for lunch today and the Reeves Cafe is only open for lunch on…read moreSaturday. It's wonderful to see how this historic landmark building in downtown Elkin has been so beautifully preserved. The lobby of the old theater is the location of the cafe. You place your order at the bar and it's delivered to your table once it's ready. The lady working at the bar was very nice and helpful. Although the cafe was pretty busy we didn't have to wait long for our order to arrive. They offer a nice selection of sandwiches and sides. The soup of the day was pepperoni pizza soup...didn't give that one a try but it sounded intriguing. The bread used to make the sandwiches was better than most restaurants and the quality of the food was excellent. They have regular events with live performances each week inside the theater. More information can be found on their website.

Beautiful venue, historic and well maintained. Great house band, worth a visit. Food not served…read moreanymore, usually food trucks or other arrangements providing food.

Not a fan of big families for any number of reasons. I prefer the way plants reproduce, like by…read moregerminating seeds or even better by grafting. Seriously, or nearly so, think how much better, as compared to standard issue childbearing, grafting would work for humans, like first of all no more Lamaze breathing classes for dads (after all of which are done, many moms go for the drugs anyway). then as one generation runs out of things to do in life, rather than uproot the whole parent just insert the next generation into the trunk, thereby hopefully eliminating adolescence when most of the body develops. Fungi and molds are even better as they mature in hours, are much more resilient and easier to distribute plus they're totally anonymous: parents don't have to see how their best intentions didn't bear fruit, and their offspring have no one else to blame. the spores of these life forms are quite durable, even tolerate the conditions found in outer space. Future myco-human lifeforms could be launched by the billions from earth unceremoniously, hoping a few might land somewhere favorable to germinate rather than being sucked into and incinerated by a star. And no alphabet or arithmetic to learn in grammar school. Being a family mammal on the other hand has major downsides. an example being that if you're known to be ever-ready to venture wherever someone will buy your plane ticket, they call upon you to go see how cousin Luke or uncle Amos or whoever is doing. The boring relatives stay put back home but the black sheep migrate over the years to places you would likely not otherwise go. So it is that I was driving through central Virginia on a moonless night, on just such a family mission and frankly need a roadie, a restorative for my lagging spirits, which is why I turned off the state highway and onto a county road to see where it went, and came to this town which is how I happened onto rocky mount's finest establishment, The Alley Cat Bar. It's great to find places like this and is the reason I prefer to drive in unknown territories using old outdated AAA maps instead of gps. Not every side road exit brings you to an historic and quaintly cool town like Rocky Mount, but it's the occasional one that ends in Rocky Mount that keeps you in the wanderlust game. It' was just what I was looking for at this moment, a break from driving the dark rural Virginia roads, local music and a friendly beer crowd. I was ready. Most small towns, not much to do, so can't be too choosey but lucky here to have this place, among others by the way but none so much my kind, live music potentially a little rough around the edges crowd but, after all, it's central va. Incredible selection of beer. I missed the Tuesday nite trivia contest as well as a visit to the moonshine distillery but I had miles to go before I slept.

They are connected with the Old Town Social House which is upstairs. The Alley Cat is a dark,…read moregrungy, bar with loud music, sometimes live loud music and a very good beer selection. The food is just ok, I haven't been super thrilled by anything I've ordered from either them or the social house (same menu, same kitchen). There is a lot of seating and I can see this is popular with the locals. The chairs and tables are like cafeteria chairs and it feels very open and not like a cozy bar but like someone's basement. It's ok. If you want to listen to music while drinking some good beers it's probably not a bad place to hang out.

I've been to Flat Iron for a variety of events over the years, live music, dance/rave nights,…read morerandom events on Monday. I've always had a great time. It's a small, intimate venue, which makes every event feel more personal and creates a great connection between the performers and the audience. The owners are musicians themselves, and it really shows. They understand what makes a great venue and consistently bring in a diverse lineup of entertainment. While Flat Iron is a bar, they also allow guests under 21 to attend many of their live music events, making it an accessible spot for music lovers of all ages. Their drink selection is solid too, with sodas, beer, wine, cocktails, hard seltzers, and THC beverages available. As a locally owned and operated business, Flat Iron is one of those places that helps make Greensboro's music and arts scene special. I'll definitely be back the next time I see something on their calendar. If you're interested in checking them out, give them a follow on Instagram for the latest shows and events. you never know what fun you'll discover next, they have up and coming artists and even nostalgic local bands and artists from the past.

Great music venue -- really intimate, which was nice. Appreciate that the performers hung around…read moreand interacted with the crowd. Fast drink service too. One FYI: they charged an extra $5 for my brother at the door because he's under 21, which wasn't disclosed during online purchase or listed anywhere on the site.

Got to visit the Ramkat again recently for Somewhat Petty, a Tom Petty cover band out of Asheville…read more I really enjoy going to shows at the Ramkat. It's small, making for more intimate performances, but not too small, so they get some decent acts coming through. They offer a full bar with beer, mixed drinks and even THC seltzers. They've got some tables and seating, though you have to pay extra for the seating. Ramkat is located in a great part of town with several dining options, and breweries near by. There are paid lots for parking, but also plenty of free street parking if you arrive early enough.

Great small venue! I recently did generally admission for the Morgan Wade show. There were some…read moreissues with the sound equipment that produced some feedback for part of the show (not sure if that was due to the artist or the venue). However, the quality of the performance more than made up for it. There were a lot of specialty drinks available, but I just opted for some sodas. Service at the bar was friendly and they were making their way through the line quickly. The energy in the space was good and it seemed like a true music lover's haven. One challenge I had was that there didn't seem to be any seating options for general admission. Even offering a couple of off-to-the-side seats for a rest would be handy, since staying on your feet for a few hours straight can get a little tiring. Perhaps that was a possiblity and I missed it. There was seating in the VIP sections though and the price differential didn't seem too dramatic. Seriously, no bad view in the place due to the venue being so small. I'd absolutely recommend checking out a show here!

When we walked in, I witnessed a beautiful sight. A group of people playing some bluegrass music…read morewhile others were dancing and the rest of the people in the room listened, ate their lunch, visited with family at tables that filled the space. This looks like a place that locals gather every weekend with their families and hang out maybe all afternoon. I felt like I had stepped back in time and was maybe in an episode of Andy Griffith. The store itself sold sandwiches and other lunch items. They sold CDs from what appeared to be local artists as well as guitar strings, canned goods and other things you'd expect in a general store. Next door was an ice cream shop that we also visited and partook of some delicious ice cream. This place is worth a visit!

Service was meh. Ice cream was yummy! The shop itself is too cute! The cashier on the store side…read morewas very sweet. Definitely will visit again!

Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. Every wine was accompanied by a nice background of how…read moreeverything was grown. Each member of the staff picked up the tasting and it flowed. We never waited long and felt so welcome.

Popped in to Jones Von Drehle Vineyards as a second stop of the afternoon. Rather than doing a…read morefull-on tasting, we selected a bottle of Tempranillo after my wife tasted three wines. The Tempranillo is very smooth and very tasty. We sat outside due to the noise of a large group inside. The views here are amazing.

I've been coming to Floyd for the past 15 years, and Dogtown used to be a staple. Unfortunately,…read moreit's gone seriously downhill. The vibe just feels off now and what once felt welcoming and authentic feels more exclusive and self-important. :( The service is especially disappointing. You can stand at the counter forever waiting for someone to even acknowledge you. Basic hospitality goes a long way, and it's frustrating when staff can't even acknowledge you with a simple "we will be with you shortly" or even offer a simple smile. There's an attitude from some of the front-of-house staff that comes across like they've "arrived" and are above basic customer service. Floyd has always been about community and authenticity, and it's disappointing to see a place that once embodied that lose sight of what made it special.

BEWARE DOG OWNERS AND SERVICE DOG HANDLERS…read more When we arrived at Dogtown Roadhouse in Floyd, VA, my husband brought his federally protected service dog. Upon arrival, the hostess informed us that service dogs were not allowed inside the restaurant and directed us to sit on the outdoor porch instead. As soon as we reached the porch area, two unleashed dogs--a German Shepherd and a blond pit bull mix--charged at my husband and his Golden Retriever service dog. During the attack, my husband was bitten on the hand, and the service dog was bitten on the neck and pinned to the ground. The hostess stated that she witnessed the entire incident. We immediately notified the manager, James, and contacted law enforcement to file a police report. The owner of the attacking dogs left the property within minutes of the attack. What was equally disturbing was the response from management. When we brought the attack, the injuries, and our concerns to the manager's attention, we felt the situation was largely dismissed rather than addressed with the seriousness it deserved. The response we received gave us the impression that the attack and its consequences were not considered the restaurant's responsibility. Afterward, we asked management why unleashed dogs were permitted in a public dining area. We were told that the dogs belonged to "good people" and that the restaurant does not enforce leash requirements for customers' dogs. What is particularly concerning is that the restaurant's website states: "Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you at outdoor tables on the covered porch while you enjoy your meal." Additionally, we will be filing a complaint regarding the restaurant's refusal to accommodate a service dog indoors, as service animals are protected under federal law. This was an extremely upsetting and preventable situation. We are disappointed by how the matter was handled and by the apparent lack of enforcement of the restaurant's own stated leash policy. Based on our experience, we will never return and would strongly encourage dog owners and service dog handlers to use caution when visiting this establishment.

When I first reviewed this Downtown Roanoke Restaurant, I focused on their drinks and food. But…read morethis time around I couldn't help it to discover why this place is the center of Roanoke's night life. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. I arrived on a Thursday evening with a 6:15pm reservation which I'm glad I had made because later I found out that this place gets to be a full house on Thursdays. A young lady host greeted and welcomed me at the Host's station as soon as I arrived. She checked my reservation and had my table all ready for me. Located in the middle of this very popular Restaurant Bar, gave me a nice view of the entire place, and with a light high above I had a perfect lighting to photograph my drink and food as part of my review of the place. My server Jillian arrived soon after I was seated. She had a wonderful personality and welcomed me with a friendly smile and very pleasant attitude. After answering me some questions about their Mocktails, I ended up ordering their Raspberry Burro. For dinner I ordered their BBQ Bacon Chicken Kababs with a side of their special fries and a salad. While I was waiting for my food to arrive I observed the place quickly filling up and I found out that tonight was Music Bingo and Live Music at 9:30pm with no cover charge. It brought me back to my college days in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the night life was a thing to look forward to. Suddenly I discovered the key of Martin's popularity and the important role it plays in contributing to making the City of Roanoke a Star City indeed. I enjoyed my drink and the Chicken Kababs with the side of special fries were amazingly delicious, as well as the salad. They have a good variety of quality items on their menu and their chefs amazingly deliver. I invite you to read my first review where I celebrate their Cuban Sandwich and Slaw, and view my photographs that accompany my review. What a night. Besides the food, I enjoyed playing the Music Bingo, which one of the card titles was The 1970's. One of the best years of my life, when I attended High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico and College in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. During that time I also won a Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the young age of 17 by catching a 405 pound Blue Marlin off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. It was the best of times for me. My server Jillian provided exceptional customer service, checking on me at the appropriate times. For dessert I ordered their Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding, and it was so good, I can't wait to return to have it again. What an extraordinary dining experience I had that night. I highly recommend this restaurant and bar for when you feel like having a good time, alone or with family and good friends. I promise you will be able to sabor what a Five Star review is all about, and experience for yourselves why Martin's is one of the City of Roanoke's most precious gems.

I was told to check this place out while I was in town. When I arrived they had a trivia contest…read moregoing on, I didn't participate but sounded like fun. The service was good. Sat at the bar and had a burger which was pretty good.