RVA Draft Room is a pretty cool concept! All of their offerings are self-pour​ and you pay by the ounce. They have a variety of glassware on hand in different sizes, so it's easy to create your own flight or to just pour a full pint. I had never visited a similar establishment in the past, so I had about 20 questions on how to operate everything. Here's the rundown: 1) Walk up to the cashier and give them your credit card. They will swipe it, give it back, and provide a card to access the taps. 2) Check the TV screen for the full digital listing of their available taps, or walk right up to the taps and read each individually. You can click on the beer name for a full description, including style, price per ounce, and abv. 3) Pick a glass, place the access card in the little slot, be sure you're on the main screen, and then pull the tap handle that corresponds to​ the beer. Each screen has two, with the taps beneath. Hold your glass at a 45-degree angle unless you're pouring cider, in which case it doesn't really matter. 4) Take your card, pick a seat or stand, and drink your beer. Repeat. 5) When you're ready to leave, walk back up to the cashier, choose your method of payment (I chose to just leave it on the same card...easy), select a tip, sign, and you're good to go. I tried six samples during my time there -- all about 3-4 ounces or less -- and paid $12 pre-tip. This is an excellent place to try a variety of beers. I imagine most names are recognizable...they carry stuff from Ardent and Isley, among other local and regional spots, but others aren't the easiest to find, such as Funky Buddha. RVA Draft Room is in the same open-format building as Zzaam, a tea place I forget the name of, and Sweet & Sassy BBQ. It's also centrally situated in Carytown. I didn't like the seating...I found it really uncomfortable. I think they need to invest in purse hooks and perhaps some stools with backs. I had to keep standing up to avoid hurting my back. Beyond the subpar seating, everything else was nice, and I think it's cool that they offer free tasting events as well. I'm sure I'll return at some point! read more

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If you are looking for casual food options but also want a drink... this is probably your spot. There is Zzaam where you can get Korean food and then Sweet and Saucy if you want BBQ.... there is also a drink/dessert spot Kokee Tea where you can get bubble tea, or ice cream in a puffle cone. Basically you can sit at any of the spots each little restaurant gives you a number if you ordered anything and they deliver to your table. If you want beer you will need to see the attendant and get a card so you can self serve yourself beer, cider or wine. Supposedly they cap you at 64 oz but as long as you are not wasted of anything they say they can override it if you get to that point. As far as the spot goes.... it's very family friendly. Though I wish it was bigger than what it is. I also don't get why a lot of beer places are going for bar chairs and table tops instead of regular height tables and chairs. That would be my only complaint not the most comfortable. Though where the food options are there are normal tables and chairs but limited. Plus if you get there around noon half the tables are difficult to sit at due to the incredible sun that comes through... it would probably be better if they get some blinds. The draft room has games you can rent it seems like since the attendant oversees it. We brought our own since we weren't sure if they had anything to occupy our three and a half year old. As both my husband are beer, wine and cider drinkers you would think this would be heaven.... but we were both kind of disappointed with the selection. We drink just about all beer, wine and cider but we felt like the selection kind of lacked. Just to give you an idea of our favorite RVA breweries/cideries.... Strangeways, Hardywood, The Answer, Busky are probably our top places. I feel like if you are expecting something like any of the four I mentioned you may come out pretty disappointed. Though because of the food options and how it's casual, both my husband and I said we would be back since it's pretty family friendly. It's nice that it's not just one food truck option like most breweries or no options for food. So if you are hungry and are wanting to do some tastings definitely check it out. On another note... parking is kind of a pain since it's in Carytown... definitely stinks in the winter. My bet is when it gets nicer, traffic will really pick up since it looks like they have some nice outdoor seating! read more

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Great place to hang out. They are located in like a good court setting. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff are friendly. This is a self pour beer place you get a card that you tap against the beer station and pour as little or as much as you would like. The have an average selection not many craft beers. There are also ciders, hard lemonades, and wine. There are tv which are great if the game is on otherwise they have a few board games you can play. I would likely return read more

Thirsty Joes Draft House - Beer Bar Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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First timer at RVA Draft Room and since I am a beer drinker, it won't be my last! I was invited by a few friends to go here and I'm glad I was! I honestly hadn't heard of this place before! If you've ever been to the wine station, this is basically the same ordeal other than it's beer! So basically you set up your card and then just place it in the slot, fill up your beer and you're all set! They have a lot of different beers to chose from ! They also have some wines, ciders and I saw a rose! A little for everyone! Can't wait to return, until then cheers! read more

Thirsty Joes Draft House - Beer Bar Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Every beer I tried was pure foam coming out of the tap. Told the person working there and was told that I just wasn't holding the glass at the correct angle. Don't waste your money, it overcharges when just foam comes out. Picture was after 10 min of waiting for the foam to go down. read more

Thirsty Joes Draft House - Beer Bar Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place is really cool, and I hope that something like this comes to Philly! You can try as many beers as you want, as much as you want, and you just pay for what you drink. There's a lot of variety in the brews that they offer, from stouts to sours. I really really enjoyed this stop (my last in Richmond!) I had a ton of samples in the time we were there and paid like $20! I didn't try the food there, but there was food in the same establishment. read more

I was hoping to slip in and have a quick IPA. The glasses aren't very clean. I can still smell the detergent used. Bummer. I was always a fan of Zzaam, which this was added to. read more

This was my first time at a self pour establishment. The environment is relaxed and you feel like you're welcome to hang out for a while. We had the pleasure of being assisted by DARRYL. He knew exactly what to recommend. He was helpful and fun. Not only will I be back for the variety of beer and the prices (which are great btw) but, Darryl's customer service skills were phenomenal. If you need something to do, I highly recommend this place. read more

my girlfriend and I went here a couple months ago after hearing of it just opening. Overall, it's a really cool concept. It's a self serve system where you pay at the end and they give you a card which makes you feel like you're at Dave and busters but instead of playing games you play slots of alcohol. Right when we walked in we were greeted by the staff and asked if it was our first time. They quickly told us the concept and showed us how to pour. They even have different size glasses and flight holders, they have plenty of beer varieties and host some of the local signatures from breweries located right in here Richmond. They have some wine options as well. There's a outdoor seating area as well for warmer weather but it was a chilly night so not too many people were utilizing that option. We had some issues though. Maybe it was because it was our first time or the keg lines just needed readjusting but some of the pours we did came it straight foam. One of the staff saw this though and quickly went over to us to try and help us. But it still gave some issue afterwards. There's also limited seating, it's not the biggest place so once it's gets a decent amount of people there's no where to sit. We would go back when it's warmer weather out to so we can grab any of our favorite local brews and chill outside and enjoy Carytown read more

Me and a colleague decided to see what the hype was about and give RVA Draft Room a try. We really enjoyed our visit. I was delighted to see they had Scrimshaw and the pour your own drafts was a great new experience! I had a burger and fries and the pairing with the Scrimshaw beer was on point! However, when we returned the Scrimshaw beer was gone. I didn't know they changed their drafts. Had I known I would have returned while it was till available. Maybe a date beside taps stating how long the draft is to be available would be helpful. A staff member didn't know what beer I was referring to, when I asked for help looking for the Scrimshaw draft. She said it must be gone. She didn't seem to know about the others (such as what was available) either. read more

We like Thirsty Joes because I'm a wine drinker and my Husband a beer drinker. Yesterday when we went the the 1st EIGHT taps were empty. Same for all only two white wine selections empty. This is just not OK this is a business and you should be prepared and ready when you open. If you have this many sections out then don't open. Don't know if we will be back. Very bummed because we have enjoyed coming in the past. Please do better way to many other places in the RVA to go. read more

This place was a cool spot to hang out on a Friday night, especially when it's warm out. The vibe is great and the live music was super fun. Wasn't super keen on the self-serve since we weren't used to being charged by the flow and got more foam than actual beer... however, we will definitely come back because the atmosphere is killer. read more

Have always visited zzaam. Glad to see the new beer add on if you're into trying different beers this is the place! Owner is great, very involved and staff are very helpful. I'll be bringing friends from out of town here. read more

This place is an awesome time. GF and I stopped in for a drink before dinner while spending a weekend in Richmond. Ended up staying there for hours and not going to dinner until 11pm. Incredible craft beer selection from around the country (as well as wine, cider, and mead) and they have small glasses if you just want to sample beers. Cool concept and highly recommended. read more