Tonic
Anna Bninski ‘23
Executive Editor
To those willing to venture beyond the Downtown Mall, I recommend Tonic on East Market Street. The prior occupant of this cute space with a leafy adjacent courtyard was the Tin Whistle – when that Irish pub closed, I was bummed. I am now less bummed because Tonic serves up a tasty selection of cocktails, including a rotating seasonal G&T, as well as beer that is not exorbitantly expensive by Cville standards.
Tonic is an especially good option for folks hesitant about indoor hangs; the courtyard features a pleasant pavilion with its own bar.
The reservation system is a hassle. Ergo, I have avoided using it; thus far that has worked out for me. Being a little off the beaten track, Tonic is generally lively but not packed.
Rating: 20/20 juniper berries[1]
The Biltmore
Jonathan Peterson ’23
Satire Editor & Photographer
So I went to Bilt once and it was the first and only time a guy slapped my ass in a bar. I can’t say that the experience was enjoyable, but the bar itself served as more of a positive slap on the ass, done by one you love and respect, and not some random guy whose name you don’t know. Unfortunately for me, when I arrived it was late in the night, and I’d reached my “okay maybe just two more” limit. As such, I experienced relatively few of the drinks Bilt has to offer.
However, a friend did order an intriguingly-blue drink: the trash can. Sure, I felt like a can of trash the next morning, but this drink was anything but. However, I’m not sure I’d suggest it for a Bar Review. It felt like more of an “I’m a happy undergrad with a full life ahead of me” drink than the “I am a law student, you can fill in the rest” beverage that I anticipate drinking when I finally experience the true trials and tribulations of Bar Review.
Rating: 3.74+ ass-slaps out of 5
Crozet Pizza
Sai Kulkarni ’23
Culture Editor
I can’t think of a better spot than Crozet Pizza as a spot for Bar Review. Live music or DJs depending on the night, actual food, and spots to both sit and dance on tables. Bar Review (I’ve heard) is an experience meant to be open for all law students. Crozet allows the olds to sit and eat, the youths to dance, and the in betweens to spend 30 minutes trying to get a single pitcher at the bar. Can you ask for anything better? I don’t think so. Crozet is like the older brother of Bilt, with the same outdoor resources but without the wild energy that comes with a bar that serves only as a pregame to Virg. You absolutely have to love a place that allows you to dance on the actual roof. Crozet, much like Ryan Reynolds, is the complete package and offers everything that a person looking for a good time needs.
Rating: 36 Montana Tomatoes out of 41
Miller’s Downtown
Jack Brown ’23
Staff Editor
Miller’s is the best place to end a night out on the downtown mall. A narrow space off of Main Street, you can expect amazing service, a great drink list and of course the best chicken tenders in the city.
But what really makes Miller’s an unforgettable dive is its vintage aesthetic, with both its ground floor bar and second floor dining area evoking the feeling of a forgotten corner of New York instead of a town in the middle of rural Virginia.
This vibe is accentuated every Wednesday and Thursday with the return of live Jazz at 8pm. The bands that perform are universally wonderful and help complete the Miller’s experience.
For those looking for a mellow spot to wind down the night, you cannot do better than Miller’s, though you may run into med students there which is the only knock against this important Charlottesville establishment.
Rating: 520 Chicken Tenders out of 528
Random Row Brewing Co.
Phil Tonseth ‘22
Editor-in-Chief
Some people like running. More people like beer. A few people like combining both. Random Row offers the opportunity for those few people who like both! Every Monday, the Random Row Run Club begins their group run around 6PM for a 5K jog near Preston Avenue. After (or as long as you run the 5K between 4:30 and 9), all are invited back to Random Row to receive discounted beers and run club gear!
For those of you who may just like to drink, Random Row is also a v chill drinking spot near Vinegar Hill and Kardinal Hall. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a wide variety of brews, RR is one of my favorite spots to kick back. Plus, it’s doggo friendly and hosts a variety of food trucks!
Rating: Will Ferrell said don’t drink milk after running, drink beer; so a 178 LSAT score.
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[1] Disclosure: Tonic is also walking distance from my apartment, which could absolutely potentially bias me in its favor.