A must stop in the downtown Richmond area! It's truly a speakeasy with the door posing as a bookshelf. To get in, you must know the password or tell the host a joke that makes him laugh. We were escorted in and quickly noticed that this was more than a speakeasy-it was a full restaurant. We stopped in for drinks, but it was nice to have tapas. I got the popcorn with the Tequilla lime butter, which was the perfect balance of salt. I had a mezcal drink which was perfect! I'm such a fan of mezcal and am excited when I see it on the menu. Our waitress was a delight-super attentive and also a bartender so she was able to answer all of our drink questions. It was very spacious with outdoor seating. Definitely a 10/10 experience. I would definitely go again! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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The parking is a sh*t show around here. We walked here, so I can't fault them for that. Upon entering, we were greeted by an enthusiastic young man dedicated to his role. He asked for the password and we, unprepared, had to tell him a joke or an interesting fact. Luckily, my partner had one on hand. The atmosphere was lovely, very reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy, or at least what you'd imagine it to be like. Our server came by within a few minutes of us being seated. She lacked enthusiasm, unlike the host, unfortunately. Her service turned out to be lackluster as well. We ordered the chicken pot pie and the filet mignon with asparagus. For drinks, the Grape Gatsby and Maine root beer. The food, like our server, lacked appeal. The saving grace was the host and the atmosphere. The view was lovely and the intimacy of the setting was a welcome experience. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding, and it was tasty, though nothing special. The burned odor that we smelled prior to its arrival turned out to be the bread. I can recommend Grandstaff and Stein as an experience, but you should not expect much in the way of culinary delights or exemplary service. We probably won't be back, but if you've never been, it's worth trying at least once. read more

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They have a fun "secret" entrance that you're greeted by when arriving. It's an enjoyable atmosphere when you get inside. There's a good bartender that mixes some very enjoyable cocktails. My Army & Navy was excellent! The food was also excellent! Brussel Sprouts that came with my ribeye were exceptional. Everyone kept stealing a few when I wasn't looking! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - Warm wood filled atmosphere - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This was my first visit to Grandstaff & Stein & also my first visit to a Speakeasy themed restaurant. To say I had an absolute ball would be an understatement. I loved having to know the Password to gain entrance to the restaurant. They send you a link to the password if you have a reservation[which I did]. However, they also post their weekly password on their Facebook page on Thursdays of each week along with a complimentary picture for that password, which I think is so cool! Once, we gave the password we were escorted to our booth & from the time we entered the restaurant the staff was welcoming, courteous & helpful with all aspects of our dining experience. The food was some of the best both my dinner companions & I had ever eaten. We ordered pretty much everything from cocktails to appetizers to entrees to desserts. Every drink & food item we tasted was absolutely magnificent. The depth of flavor was immaculate. We were celebrating one of my sister's birthdays so she ordered the Pumpkin Cheesecake to go & our server was kind enough to include a candle so that we could officially sing "Happy Birthday ". Our time at Grandstaff & Stein was simply magical. I really cannot express how wonderful all the staff were, as well as, the food & the ambiance. I cannot wait to return to Grandstaff & Stein. They are definitely in my personal Top 5 of places to dine in RVA. read more

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Drinks are forever a hit. I also grabbed a few bites but they didn't last long enough for me to snag a photo! Going to have to go and try it yourself. Probably the closest to a speakeasy I've been to in RVA as you need to look up their entry password. The service was great despite them being obviously slammed. The ambiance is very oldern as even the bartenders were dressed like they were from a different era. I definitely left here feeling tipssyyyyyyy. I also don't recommend the popcorn. It was not hot when it came out and was stale. Otherwise everything else was great! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Grand Staffen Stein is a very unassuming speakeasy that takes you back in time. The staff really plays into the speak easy bit by requiring a passcode which you can get from their Facebook account and it changes every week. Once you're inside, you are transformed back in time and it feels like the 1920s. The staff embraces this theme by the attire they wear and how warm the environment is. It's got warm wood low lighting. It's a fun time. The food and cocktails are absolutely delicious. You can tell that the staff takes a lot of pride in the dishes that they create in the cocktails that they make. I enjoyed everything that I had and can't wait to go back again. read more

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Looking for cool speakeasy with great drinks and food? With its laidback and casual atmosphere, Grandstaff & Stein is the place! Went here on a Monday night. This was my second time here. Before coming, had to look up the password at their website. (We didn't know the password the first time we went but were still let in.) The password changes weekly. It was not that busy on that Monday night. They have great selection of drinks. American 45 (gin, St-Germain, champagne, mint simple and lemon juice) was good. Food was delicious - pork shank, prime ribeye, snapper, chicken marsala. Chocolate torte and bourbon pecan were heavenly! Great food, service and atmosphere. Giving it a 5/5! read more

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This is a cool speakeasy in downtown Richmond. A password is needed. The lighting is moody and the servers dress in roaring 20s attire. I enjoyed the grab dip. My spicy margarita fell a little short. It tasted watered down. Everyone else in my party enjoyed their drinks and food. Staff was really engaging and the atmosphere was beautiful. read more

Very cool speakeasy concept, but seemed to fall flat based on our group's opinion on the drinks. The speakeasy aspect of it, with the password and secret door are great! And I loved the dark ambiance inside as well. My friends we all liked our drinks there, but they said the whisky was more inconsistent, with the smoked whisky being the best. read more

It is kind of a speakeasy... but not? To start, there is a sign on the front door, so there is no mystique about where you are going. You do enter once inside through the bookcase, after giving the password, so I dug that. Once inside, it is dark wood and low lighting, and I totally loved that. Service was pretty slow, though, as we had to sit at the bar for a while before our drink orders were taken. The server was friendly at least. The drinks were not great, sadly. They were very heavy on the gin, despite having quite a few other ingredients. It is my experience that a good gin drink takes on a lot of the flavors surrounding it and can be quite the lovely piece, but these just tasted mostly gin, a little of other things. (I had the "Purple Reign" and my friend had some basil gin drink.) We left after one drink, which is probably for the best, as this is not a place I'd want to sit at for more than one drink because the stools are the most uncomfortable I've encountered in a bar in a long time. It was a fun thing to check out once, though. read more

Grandstaff & Stein trades in vibes and cosplay more than in cocktails. I enjoyed the scavenger-hunt password and the reveal through a secret bookcase, but the room itself felt dark and a little lifeless, like a set inspired as much by Disneyland as by Prohibition. Staff were decked out in period regalia, which helps the theater, but the big laminated, colorful menu broke the illusion the moment it hit the bar. The larger problem is in the glass. Most drinks skewed sweet, unbalanced, and clunky, as if designed for novelty and sugar rather than structure. Builds tended to be three ingredients with inexpensive base spirits, and there was little mid-palate lift from infusions, amari, aperitifs, or bitter liqueurs. Without those components the drinks read as flat: quick hit of sugar and citrus up front, then nothing interesting carrying through. As a themed night out, it is fun to crack the code and step through the bookcase. As a cocktail destination, it lacks the technique, spirits selection, and sense of balance you expect from a serious program. read more

This place is a great find. We loved our cocktails and our meals (ribeye and crab cakes.) The server was delightful and had good suggestions. Also enjoyed the 20s music. read more

Grandstaff & Stein - Ribeye and crab cakes - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Met some friends here for dinner. First, I should say that I am totally not a fan of the whole 'password' needed for access it's a cute gimmick but it's just not a game I like to play. That being said, I *DO* love the Speak Easy vibe and decor, and this place definitely fits the part inside, it's adorable and the adult beverages really give you the whole Speak Easy vibe. Their food selection is pretty good. I had the Chicken Piccata and my GFs had salmon, filet, crab cakes, bruschetta, and a couple of salads. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I thought that my portion was plenty and the price was fair. I didn't check out all of the prices, but I did notice that the salads were a good size for the price that they charged (which I appreciate, because making a salad just isn't that hard or expensive - you can offer protein add-ons to increase the price). My GFs ordered drinks seemed to like them. Everyone ordered desserts but me, as all of their desserts contain egg, so instead I asked if they could make me a chocolate martini. The waitress said that they don't have an official chocolate martini but they had liquor de cacau and can 'whip up something' (or said something similar to that). Knowing that they had a lot of booze options and they offered chocolate and likely had cream, I figured it'd be a safe order. I was wrong, I don't think that they made a drink at all - I think it was just plain chocolate bourbon of some sort. It was fine, had that been what I wanted I would have drank it, but honestly that tastes more like bourbon and NOTHING like chocolate so I returned it. I go to places all the time and they wing it and come up with something half decent, this is the first time I've been disappointed. The front staff was friendly and helpful. Our waitress was polite and answered most of our questions with ease, the food part she had down but I'm not sure that she knew the liquor portion as well - questions were asked like 'is this drink sweet' and her responses were something similar to 'it's a good balance'. She did a great job of watching for folks as they meandered in, coming to make sure we had drinks and answer food questions as they came up, but we felt like she sort of dropped the ball on the follow up after the ordering was done. There is plenty of seating indoors and it looks like they have a little patio area, it was raining when we got there so no one was sitting outside but I assume that little area is theirs. I'd definitely go again. No matter the chocolate martini experience, had the waitress been a little more attentive and on her liquor-question game, I'd have given this 5 stars. Thank you for reading my review. read more

If you think this place is a gimmick, you're wrong. The inside is such a neat atmosphere, and the food is delicious. Plus, the cocktails? They'll blow you away. Excellent bartenders who make their own shrub and know their way around a bourbon and tequila list. The creepy-cool password-protected lobby is just a bonus. read more

My son just graduated from AIT school and wanted a good steak. We made reservations here since they had several options for reasonably priced steaks. He loved his steak and the sides. It was cooked perfectly. I had the shrimp andouille. It was delicious. We were greeted cheerfully at the door. The wait staff was very good. The restaurant had moderate noise since there was a large party celebrating a birthday. But I was impressed that there were obvious regulars at the bar. The biggest impression they made was calling me after I left a personal item on the seat next to me. While it wasn't something of large value, the fact that they found my number from the reservation and called meant so much to me. Highly recommend read more

Came w my wife and had a great dinner. The soup, roasted red pepper, was the star! The coconut shrimp was good too, and I forgot to take pictures of my steak and wife's entree, but both were great. We loved our drinks, and the music really gave this place a pleasant vibe. Perfect atmosphere / ambiance for a date and if you were coming just for drinks. Very friendly service, too. We'll be back. read more

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Closest place to a true speakeasy we could find. Faked the "password"... Excellent drinks, good food and chill retro vibe. read more

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I enjoyed the good and drinks here. The place was dead though. The chicken piccata was really good but did not come with a side dish or pasta. read more

Grandstaff & Stein - Chicken picatta - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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We LOVE grandstaff and stein. My first time was years ago for my first date with my husband. Over the past several years we continue to come in for cocktails and food. The quality is always amazing. The cocktails are thoughtfully curated and made. All of the food is delicious so you really can't go wrong with anything you order. I'm pretty sure we've tried every single thing on the menu. Some favorites are the Brie and the lamb lollipops. read more

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We ended up here by chance and we are so glad we did! We were a party of ten and they were able to accommodate us. You better know the code word to get in It was amazing!!! The food was phenomenal, the vibe was outstanding and Kate did a great job taking care of us! They even let us play the piano on the way out! So fun! A must try if you're in town! read more

3 1/2 stars; Very fun concept to have to enter with a password phrase just like a speak easy. You'll need to check their website or social media to get the password. I've heard they still let you in without the password but it's fun to participate with the concept. I like the fun themed interior bar and dining area. The service is okay, the food is ok and the bar has a good list of cocktails and liquors. The problem is that there's really nothing I consider outstanding. So I wonder if they have a lot of returning customers. The dining area is a little worn and can use a little TLC. There's scuffs along the walls where chairs hit the wall. This should be maintained or updated by installing boarders at the back of the chair height. Maybe I'm nitpicking but I feel if the owner doesn't care about the cosmetics, there's a chance they don't care about the kitchen. read more

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Update: after leaving this review I was harassed with numerous phone calls from the restaurant at 11pm at night to be told it was rude to leave a note on the receipt about the issues we had. Completely unprofessional behavior from a probably drunk manager read more

One thing I love about this place is their commitment to theme: a password entry behind a secret bookcase, dark aesthetic lighting, and great decor all make it feel like a speakeasy. And, they let you enter even if (like us) you forget to look up the password online. We went in for Happy Hour and I personally think that's the best way to enjoy the place. The drinks were outstanding, our bartender gave great recommendations on his favorites and I'd love to try some more. We had a bottle of wine as well, a great deal on Wednesdays! The food is not the main attraction here, but I do think it is quite pricey for standard fare. The item that stood out to us was surprisingly the tequila-lime popcorn, which we ordered on a whim after realizing the HH pricing made it only $1. It was so unique and a great snack! Other items like the baked Brie had all the ingredients of a hit, but just wasn't executed as well as one would hope. I look forward to coming back often here, though, a great place! read more

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We ventured here as a surprise for my birthday. I appreciate that I was able to finally make it here. The theme is very exciting and I love how the staff wardrobe is also on theme. It is not very vast of space, which much further applies to the theme. Our food concierge, Danny, was very nice and provided great customer service. The drinks, a smoke old fashioned and a sazerac, were strong. That is not a complaint. The crab dip we had for the appetizer was good. My pasta entree, shrimp Diavolo, had an abundance of shrimp and the spice came midway through the dish. I would have preferred a different pasta and a tad more sauce. Possibly some garlic bread. The steak that was ordered had a lot of at which took away from the initial tasting. We would definitely give it another try. Reservations are highly recommended. We went at 9pm. Be sure to have the password for entry. read more

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Ok! So, this place is super cool. Hidden door, code word, AMAZING AMBIANCE. The guy at the front was nice and shocked I knew the password :) Once seated though, we were kind of left unimpressed. Our server was not the least bit interested in serving us. Even though the restaurant was pretty empty (on a Thursday), she didn't come by to check often, and nothing was asked as to how the food was. She would come to the table with her hands in her pockets, and say, "did you want anything else?" We waited a LONG time for our food, which was good. Nothing show stopping, just good. EXTENSIVE drink list and a cool bar. Due to the ambiance, we will probably come again, but it doesn't seem like the waitstaff is invested or interested in the place doing well. read more

First off, I love the concept, a prohibition era club with a secret entry where you need to know the password to get in! You walk into a small area lined with bookcases. After you give the password, one of the bookcases opens, and you walk through to the bar and dining area. It's dark, mostly brick walls, with high low tops, booths, and bar seating. The walls that were painted were very vjoppes rotates hitting them. Bathrooms were dingy Nice drink menu and liquor selection Service was good Food was just average, nothing special. Portion size was good. The pork loin was on the dry side, and the whole plate (pork, Brussels, potatoes) was lukewarm, Meatballs were very salty We might stop back for drinks ks, though I doubt we'd have dinner again. Street parking What we tried: Meatballs Gnocchi Pork loin Gin flight My rating rationale  +1 Service +.5 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +.5 Presentation +.5 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value read more

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Food was super tasty! Service however was mediocre 2/5 stars... The staff was giving knockoff Vanderpump Rules vibes but missed the mark and were just rude, dismissive, and nasty.... Again, compliments to the chef! Noah no compliments.... read more

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I made an unfortunate error and didn't complete my reservation on open table? The host at Grandstaff and stein couldn't have been more rude and unhelpful. I didn't expect him to get me a table right away but didn't expect him to made a snide remark as I left. read more

What a cute place!! Great atmosphere, excellent service (brought a gf option so I could eat the crab dip), and fantastic food. It's been awhile since I truly enjoyed dinner in Richmond. 10/10, will be back! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - Shrimp and grits - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Two of my favorite things, books and cocktails are combined at Grandstaff & Stein. I'm all about secret passwords and speakeasies. You can find the passcode of the evening on their Instagram page. When you enter, you just see a bunch of bookcases, but once you give the passcode, the host will open a bookcase and lead you to the speakeasy. They really went all out with the 20s speakeasy theme (the waitresses even wear flapper dresses). It's a really fun cocktail bar and even when it's busy they do all that they can do to seat you. We went at a prime time to go out on a Friday with no reservation and were able to get a seat. It has a great atmosphere and fantastic service. I tried an aviation for the first time and thought it was very tasty. My friends who are huge cocktail people (very knowledgeable on all things cocktails) loved it. All four of us loved our cocktails which I find isn't very common when going out to a cocktail bar in a group. They do have food options too. Although we didn't try anything, it looked like a place where you could get an actual meal (vs. bar snacks). I highly recommend checking out Grandstaff & Stein. read more

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I've been into elevated cocktail bars recently and this place was perfect! The experience of entering through the bookcase was so fun and unique. You can check their Facebook page before you go for the password. We went a little before 10pm for drinks on a Friday night (without a reservation) and were seated immediately which was great! The hosts asked if we were dining or just here for drinks which was nice that they will accommodate for both. Absolutely LOVED our waitress. I don't remember her name, but she was nice and gave great recommendations (such as my friend getting the egg white on her whiskey sour). The drinks were great too - I got a gin and tonic and my friends got a Manhattan, whiskey sour, and lemon drop martini. Loved the presentation of everything. This is a hidden gem!!! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Oh how I wish we had places like this where I live. An old school speakeasy vibe with a new age cocktail taste. Calling the pros behind the bar simply "bartenders" feels like a disservice. They are very knowledgeable and are quick to help if you can't figure your taste. Once you get in, the vibe is warm and welcoming. The drinks are top notch. The service even better. Definitely planning on going back our next trip. read more

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Cool concept! I love a good hidden door. The menu isn't quite up my alley but I like the vibes so I tried this place again. The staff is nice and really seems to know their stuff. The bartenders are high caliber and remind me of the people you'd see on tv. They have a few happy hour options. Wine was half off when I went so I got an affordable bottle. I didn't like the cocktail but it was beautiful. The popcorn was good and so was the shrimp andouille. They were out of the pork belly but my fiancé did like the duck wings (they were a little chewy to me). Can't wait to try this place again. read more

Grandstaff & Stein - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

If you want to go back to the future and go to a cool speak easy THIS is the best place! They have a massive drink list and delicious cocktails! You can go to the Facebook page and they post the password every week and they give the meaning and background of the word. The atmosphere is so pretty and unique it's definitely on the fancy side and pricy but the experience is worth it! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Stopped in for a quick bourbon and an appetizer. Wife and kid enjoyed their mule, martini and each had the pecan pie. Myself went with my trusty Woodford Dbl Oak and the bruschetta bread. Great environment and will come back for dinner some night. Amanda was so nice and took great care of us! Thanks Amanda! read more

Grandstaff & Stein - Woodford Dbl Oak and bruschetta bread. - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A group of us, came in and we were treated extremely poorly. It was obvious they did not want us there nor did they want us to come back. We were told, the waitress will "get to you when she gets to you." read more

The bookstore front entry to the speakeasy was the best part. The booths were filthy and torn. The bathroom was straight out of a truck stop. Servers were eating at the food pass window (hopefully their own food) Thank goodness the baked Brie was delicious because the Chicken Parmesan was inedible. Probably a good place for drinks and just hanging out. Overall a huge disappointment shared with friends from NOVA read more

This is one of the most underrated and least talked about restaurants in Richmond. I don't know why it took so long to discover it! My partner took me here on a surprise date night. He told me a "password" I had to use when entering the door. I was a bit confused. Then I realized when we walked through the door it was just a room with bookshelves and a hostess. I quickly realized the password is used to enter the restaurant/bar. The bookshelf opened to a quaint bar and table seating. It is a "speakeasy". I was immediately impressed by the the daily special and deals. We enjoyed multiple appetizers. They were all delicious! We loved the French onion soups, meatballs, and the stuffed mushrooms. The stuffed mushrooms were particularly mouthwatering. I loved my main dish - gnocchi! It was cheesy and rich. Our special cocktails were perfection. The way all the drinks and food were presented was great. I particularly enjoyed and appreciated that the staff were dressed to the theme of a "speakeasy". The staff is friendly and timely. We were pleasantly surprised how good the food is here. This is a must visit for drinks AND dinner! read more

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Ambiance/Vibe: 10/10 Staff: from the door to the floor 11/10 Cocktails: 8/10 could have been a bit stronger Food: 11/10, amazing My WBFF decided on this spot for her birthday and did not disappoint! I want to return soon. Love this place! read more

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I really enjoyed my time at Grandstaff & Stein. The atmosphere was great and perfect for a date night! The drinks were unique and delicious. The waitress let us know they recently rolled out their fall menu, so we were excited to try their new offerings. The scallops with risotto was perfectly seasoned and super creamy. If you're a bread pudding lover I would definitely recommend their bread pudding. It soft, buttery and had the perfect amount of sweetness. I can't wait to visit again for more ! read more

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