Capital Ale House

Capital Ale HouseCapital Ale House
Capital Ale HouseCapital Ale House
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

623 E Main St
Richmond, Virginia, 23219-2405
United States

(804) 780-2537 | map
capitalalehouse.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.3
Reviews:
94
Ratings:
137
pDev:
8.84%
View: Place Reviews
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Photo of mooseisloose
Reviewed by mooseisloose from Florida

4.43/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Went to the one in Glen Ellen, VA. Apparently there are five locations. Not a huge vibe but the taps selection is colossal and the food is amazing and the service prompt and friendly. If this was near my house I would live there 7-days a week. This blows the "ale houses" near where I live into the weeds. Highly recommended
Apr 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.83 by slasich from Pennsylvania

May 17, 2020
Photo of slander
Reviewed by slander from New York

4.09/5  rDev -4.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
Rollin’ ‘round Richmond with the unusual suspects as we do. This, a return to the scene of a place I was at once before; being last year when we Ops folks came down for a 2 day VA work conference. Yes, the meet and greet was in that game room down and out back. A long day getting into town and the evening here a bit of a blur, but I recall heading out into the night for hot dogs at some point. Midway up or down the hill some, depends where you’ve coming from…

Long narrow place which narrows further to the rear. Angled wood laminate bar with a wide lip, panel base, & copper foot rail to the left starting halfway back; seating 15 on backed dark wooden chairs. Black subway tile barback wall with 76 taps on double high barbell rows and a standup trio off the bar over there (me, pointing). Growlers, wine, & glassware stacked or in rows on the counter tucked behind the taps, and more glassware shelved below. A flatscreen trio spaced along the bar overhang for the looking at. And a pair of triple door bottle & can coolers tucked just behind the front end of the bar (There are nearly 100 offerings there) with booze tiered alongside.

Black ceiling with ducts of the same up front, and a lower white drop ceiling to the rear and over the bar. Dark wood plank floors, and white walls with old Richmond beer prints & tins over wood panel framed lowers. Track lighting up front and in rows running to the rear up high over the bar & adjacent booths, and giant twisty drop filament bulb singles sitting lower over the booths.

7 mix & match tables in a raised space up front, 7 booths running the adjacent to the bar, and a ½ dozen more to the rear, plus a strange trapezoid table forward the bar where it awkwardly fits. The attached ‘Richmond Music Hall’ side room holds a stage area to the rear (didn’t know that was there) and 9 tables up front easily removed when performers perform. My notes indicate that there’s also a rear room that holds 10 tables banquet room style, but I just can’t see it in my head. Display cases of area brewerania, too? And down the rabbit hole (that which are stairs) to the game room. I went and saw the sights. It’s a smaller quieter bar; I suppose because you have to know it’s there. Damn, there’s another 2 dozen taps down here. A couple of guys chatting up the bartender, a few dart boards and a pool table. And through to some outside space, roughly a dozen and a half small tables amidst the giant tree and fountain. Almost makes you forget you’re in the middle of a city. But it’s humid as shit out there right now, so, back to the bar.

So, there are what, 79 taps up here and another 24 downstairs. Now I’m no mathsman but they’ve got about 100 taps. 53 of them were state of Virginia offerings spanning upwards of 3 dozen breweries and cideries, which is pretty badass. The tap list is carved out by, I was going to say ‘style descriptors’ but I think now it’s more ‘flavor profiles’ (malty & sweet, sour & funky, crisp & smooth, sharp & hoppy, bold & roasty), if that makes any sense. Brewery, beer, origin, ABV, style, serving size, & price by glass and growler are listed. I sampled a few things and settled on the Evolution DelMarVa Pure Pils, which was just lovely, so I had another.

Oh, and food for the win! Lots of stuff on the menu, could’ve gone this way or that, but went with the Sesame Ahi Tuna Salad. Witz had the giant pretzel, Davo the pierogis & mussels (no, not together), and Ben the Capital Club. Salad was okay, seemed a little lacking someway somehow, but I still housed it.

It’s a chain, better than most of this ilk. Really impressive state of Virginia representation here. When in Richmond…
Jan 03, 2020
Photo of Dadboneau
Reviewed by Dadboneau from Texas

3.8/5  rDev -11.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
Went on a Monday Burger Night. Service at bar was nothing exceptional as was the burger. Large draft selection but the person next to me knew more about the selections than those behind the bar. Overall down right mediocre
Jun 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.55 by beerrat from Virginia

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.14 by metter98 from New York

Aug 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.33 by dbrauneis from North Carolina

Aug 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.45 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Jul 18, 2018
Photo of Trailboss76
Reviewed by Trailboss76 from Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
Ok - I had their black n blue bacon burger paired with a Port City Porter (Alexandria, Va.) at about 9pm on a Saturday night. Thought I died and went to Heaven...!! Both the beer and the burger were off the hook - nothing short of fabulous!!
Mar 13, 2018
Photo of aleckpa
Reviewed by aleckpa from North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
I really enjoyed this place. The draft list is excellent. You can get crowlers/growlers to go. You can even buy bottles to go or consume on site. I sat at the bar with a good view of the TVs/bowl games. The service at the bar was excellent. The bartender provided some suggestions on food. The food was really good too, especially for bar food. Like I said, the draft list was so good. As a visitor to Richmond, they had a good choice of local VA breweries. I recommend giving this place a shot next time you are in Richmond. I know I'll be going back!
Jan 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4.15 by JMUbrewz from Virginia

Sep 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.78 by krbrevard from Virginia

Aug 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.21 by Boone757 from Virginia

Jun 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by beersapian from Virginia

Apr 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by hophugger from Virginia

Mar 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.09 by CavemanRamblin from North Carolina

Feb 14, 2016
Photo of Trambo
Reviewed by Trambo from Virginia

4.64/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Fantastic place for dinner & a few beers. We hosted a company Christmas party here and it was a huge hit.
The place has a nice vibe, inviting and friendly atmosphere, tastefully decorated bar area and facilities. The servers are very knowledgeable and friendly, and actually give good recommendations. Our service was very good, given that this was on a Friday night with a large group! No complaints there. Beer selection in my opinion is incredible, I mean I don't get the nit-picky reviewers complaining about lack of selection, with over 150 to pick from, how many MORE beers do you need to have to be impressed?? Geez. It's Richmond, not New York. The food was very good, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually was. Being an Ale House I half expected the quality to be mediocre at best, but was very happy with how good it really was.
Our entire group thoroughly enjoyed the evening. They do a superb job with corporate parties, I recommend this if you have the chance.
Jan 22, 2016
Photo of Kubishark
Reviewed by Kubishark from Maryland

4.44/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
The vibe is pretty typical of many other places you'd find in any east coast city, but it's nice. Seems like a pretty chill place to have a drink and a bite to eat. Great quality, excellent service, and fantastic selection of beers on tap and bottled. The food is good too, it's not everywhere you can enjoy pierogi with your beer. I'd definitely come back here the next time I found myself in downtown Richmond.
Jan 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by Iamjeff6 from Virginia

Dec 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by safphoto from Ohio

Nov 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by VABA from Virginia

Sep 06, 2015
Photo of Cobratrooper
Reviewed by Cobratrooper from Virginia

3.61/5  rDev -16%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
I use to love this place a few years ago. Now that Richmond has many many craft bar options this place has failed to evolve. The music hall part is nice, just not a lot of bands you really want to see come. Lots of taps but normally the same beers on tap that every other bar in Richmond has. Turn over on the beers also seems hit or miss. Price on the beer has typical bar mark up, you get a discount for buying bottles to go however. Food is ok. Service is hit or miss.
Aug 23, 2015
Photo of oldn00b
Reviewed by oldn00b from Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -15.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.25
10 years ago I'd probably have given this place 5/5 but plenty of spots like this exist now.

Beer selection wins out over everything else here. The bottle list is beyond extensive and there are plenty of fantastic options on tap. They have high end favorites, great local/regional options and they put plenty of the less than easy to come by items on the menu, stuff like 120 pops up regularly. Prices are fair.

It feels like a typical bar - no frills in a good way, but nothing to write home about.

Food to me is a bit of a drawback - it's fine but the quality could step up just a touch. Sandwiches fries and all are fine but nothing special.

It is a great local chain and one to hit up if you're looking for a place to kill some time before walking to The National or something.

Updated: They must not turn over draft quickly or have exceedingly long draft lines. I had 2 pours and both were flat, and I mean dead flat. Tasted fine otherwise but that's disappointing. If you can't get around long lines, that's fine, but bleed the tap for a minute on the first pour if it's been a while. Most everything else is the same as before.
Aug 04, 2015
Photo of Waltbabylove
Rated by Waltbabylove

4.76/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Great local brews, all your faves, plus some gems.
May 20, 2015
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.29/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Just visited earlier today with Da Boss.

Vibe was good, fairly empty on a late Thursday afternoon. Good tunes being played, zydeco, blues provided a nice atmosphere.

Quality of the beer and food was good. There were a lot of top notch world classics here to go with solid regional beers.

Service was solid, not too tough with a small crowd to deal with.

Selection was pretty top notch as there were 40-60 draft brews to pick from and mayb 100 bottle selections.

Food was very good, I had the gyro burger which was unique but very good and Da Boss had the fish tacos that were solid.

Overall somewhat expensive beer wise but the "mid-major" dishes were reasonably priced. Definitely would go back again.
May 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.71 by VeganUndead from Virginia

Apr 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.26 by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

Mar 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.76 by EJXL from Virginia

Feb 22, 2015
Photo of uvachief
Reviewed by uvachief from Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Capital Ale has a great selection and variety of beers at most places. The food is very good as well. The atmosphere can be great and some places even have live music. Sounds perfect right? Well..not so fast. My biggest gripe with this chain has always been service. I use to work across the street from the one in downtown Richmond. Clients wanted to go to lunch there. We could never get in and out in under 90 minutes and it was usually a lot closer to 2 hours. Service at night wasn't much better. The bar can be extremely crowded and the beertenders can get overwhelmed. Most are very knowledgeable. They have a 1/2 price growler night. Well worth trying but bring your patience when you go.
Feb 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by woodchip from North Carolina

Dec 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.7 by Rothobinide from California

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by dwoolley1 from New York

Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by everlong353 from Maryland

Nov 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by gopens44 from Virginia

Nov 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by LeeEvolved from Virginia

Nov 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Tamigleo from California

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Liverocks from Delaware

Aug 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Zimm from New Jersey

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by papajohn56 from Florida

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by abrodsky from Massachusetts

Aug 05, 2014
Capital Ale House in Richmond, VA
Place rating: 4.3 out of 5 with 137 ratings