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.

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.

Awesome atmosphere with a heck of a drink/food menu! Live…read morebands, trivia nights! Worth a visit!

Right in the historic district of Lewisburg. There is street parking available. They have a fun…read moreselection of pizzas plus calzones and sandwiches. I noticed there is a full bar. Our server was friendly and the food arrived quickly. The small Greek salad was filled with tasty items - feta, olives,tomatoes. It was tossed a a vinaigrette. We ordered the steak and beer cheese pizza. The crust was thin, crispy and had a nice flavor. This pizza did not have a red sauce. The beer cheese was a fun addition. The prices are moderate.

This review is for a late lunch for two at the bar on a Friday in early May while we were…read moreroadtripping through West Virginia. service: Charles was a great bartender with plenty of helpful recommendations. bar: 24 beers on tap, plus wine on tap. My wife drank a cab sav ($8.50) that was good. Props for having Stone IPA green label on tap ($7). food: On Charles' recommendation, we went with the T-Rex pizza ($19). It's clearly wood fired, but the crust isn't as yeasty and charred as some. details: It's a large room with booths and tables plus lots of bar seating. Parking is downtown, so you'll have to plan ahead. Noise level is good for conversation.

You have to fit a certain type of music goer to like this place…read more Regardless, security are nice and friendly but the people who manage it think they're above everyone else. Not for me or people like me. If you're in your 60's and 70's and stay seated like good little boys and girls, you'll enjoy the show and not be yelled at.

The security at this venue is horrific. I witnessed the security at the gate checking bags speak to…read moremultiple customers horribly. I also noticed that if you looked a certain way you got in with your regular sized purse. After entering the venue the security accused multiple young people of underage drinking without even requesting to see their ID's. Towards the end of the show security was telling patrons they had to hurry up and leave so they can go home. I've been told that trying to speak to the owner Waynette is pointless and she stands by the staff regardless of their conduct. Buyer beware of spending your money here. There's much better venues in the area with bigger acts that with treat you with respect.

We were in town, staying at the Omni Homestead resort. I wanted to experience something different…read moreother than what was available at the resort. So, I researched other venues and stumbled upon this place. What I found was amazing. We experienced a string quartet performance in a re-designed barn with amazing acoustics. The executive director was also very helpful, informative and welcoming. Since the venue itself was extremely intimate, I highly recommend this venue to anyone who wants to be up and close to talented musicians. Amazing experience!

We have been continually charmed by Garth Newell Music Center for over 15 years now! Much of the…read morebest entertainment we have ever attended has been here! The caliber is high and there is a delightful variety to enjoy! The food is superb and the folks that attend are delightful! We are so fortunate to have discovered this gem! Don't miss an opportunity of a lifetime! Come and come again. You will find a treasure you will want to share. See you there! Susan and Linwood Orenduff, Richmond, VA.

Beer was very good I give it high rating…read more Late (9pm)on Tuesday only one person working so service was a little slow and menu limited. Pretty empty. It was ok but actually the wings and pizza were pretty decent.

Fantastic dive bar for local entertainment. We decided to…read morestay overnight night in Roanoke VA and wanted a cold beer and pub grub and not drive far, this place was perfect! The bartenders we great and the pub-grub perfect. Best of all they had Berry and Beth providing live music. We felt the music was done just right, it has personally not too loud and a good mix.

We just attended a Blues Jam session in the underground portion of the theatre. Great setting and…read moregreat music.

I LOVE seeing a Historic place being saved and made into something that is useful and needed. The…read moretour was like stepping back in time. They are opening a club on the Lower floor with Live Music

My first visit to the LockN music fest was guaranteed to be a great experience with Tedeschi Trucks…read moreheadlining. They really broke it out and delivered with the 12 epic musicians onstage collaborating. I will say that the new 'COVID friendly' format with the musicians spread over 3 weekends detracted from the festival vibe. With such a late start each day, camping onsite doesn't give you better access. Fewer bands, fewer vendors, and fewer food options as well... altho the food was great! Hoping for a return to the full day of music!

I went to LockN the first year they held it. I don't think ANYONE expected the kind of turnout it…read morereceived! I heard reports that the count was at 60,000 people that year! It has certainly calmed down a bit, and I hear that it's much more family friendly. But that first year was absolutely amazing. Don't get me wrong, there were tons of kids there, but as a parent, please be aware that if you're going with kids, you absolutely have to keep your eyes on them 100% of the time, they could easily get lost with that kind of turnout. I stood at a high point that first night, and I watched everyone milling around like ants on a lawn, it was like watching ants (except people were wearing glow stick necklaces, which made it even cooler). Truly amazing. I think the music was the best that first year too. Food vendors everywhere! The variety was unreal. The porta potty system was as expected, rough! But I gotta say they certainly tried!! Never seen so many porta potties in my life One of these days I will certainly go back when the music lineuo changes a bit. Hasn't been my music taste for a few years. But everyone reading, you should certainly go for the experience. Just be safe!