Any guy who loves dive bars, punk metal, or even just simply craves a unique experience needs to visit GWARbar on their next trip to Richmond, Virginia. This bar is the twisted brainchild of one of the band's founding members and is quite the experience. However, what I was even more impressed with is that while it looks like you might need a tetnus shot ever dining there ... the food is actually pretty good!
I think almost anyone who grew up in the late 1980s and early '90s has heard of Gwar - they are one of the most incredible bands of my childhood, not for their music necessarily but for the irreverent, satirical, theatrics. Watching them on TV (and I assume even more so live in concert) was an experience that I just don't think a digital generation that is constantly feeding on shocking TikTok videos available at the flick of a finger can possibly appreciate.
If you’re looking for a fantastic dive bar that pays tribute to one of the most legendary thrash metal and punk bands in history, look no further than GWARbar in Richmond, Virginia. As a fan of GWAR, I couldn’t resist the lure of visiting when I saw it on the map only a few blocks away from where we were staying at Quirk. While these two locations are polar opposites in terms of decor and social graces, it works here in Richmond where the city embraces a diverse collection of art and ideas.
As you can see from our photos above, GWARbar is EXACTLY what you'd expect ... a dive bar that combines the excitement of the Richmond-based band's bloody stage shows, irreverent humor, and high-volume metal/punk with a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
In 2015 GWARbar became reality as Michael Derks, better known to fans as BalSac the Jaws ‘o Death, brought his 30+ years of restaurant experience to the table. With his expertise and the insane genius-level creative vision of the GWAR team, they crafted a bar and restaurant like no other, where culinary feats meet the chaotic spirit of metal.
Since its opening, GWARbar has been a fantasy land of food and beverage, welcoming everyone from local punk metal freaks and rock stars to businessmen, celebrity chefs, and starving artists. This is a place where like-minded adventurers can crush beers, enjoy delicious and inventive dishes such as Nachos Destructo and Demoned Eggs or Scumdogs, while basking in the electric atmosphere that is about as close as most of us will ever be to being backstage at a GWAR show.
Whether you’re here for a late-night hangout or just a place to feel at home among fellow metalheads, GWARbar is the ultimate destination for fans of weird fun stuff and it was absolutely a highlight of our Richmond guys trip!
