Beards & Broads Restaurant & Entertainment opened its Broadway, VA flagship location on August 13, 2022, at 175 North Central Street, following the success of its original Harrisonburg venue launched in fall 2019 by co-founders Kyle McQuillian and Jay Roderick—the latter a Broadway High School alumnus and disabled U.S. Navy veteran. The distinctive name refers to two types of axes used in competition axe throwing (Beard Axes and Broad Axes), not what many initially assume, and the venue operates as an official World Axe Throwing League (WATL) certified location with five projection axe-throwing lanes staffed by trained "Axeperts." Google reviewers have awarded this locally-owned, veteran-owned establishment an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars, with customers praising the exceptional brick oven pizza cooked in an authentic Italian oven with visible open flames—fan favorites include the Hot Honey Pepperoni and Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Beyond axe throwing, entertainment options include shuffleboard, air hockey, foosball, Connect 4, darts, cornhole tournaments, live music, karaoke, trivia nights, comedy shows, and kids play areas, making it a true family entertainment destination in the Shenandoah Valley. The full bar features 12 draft beers including local favorites like Three Notch'd Brewing and Devils Backbone, plus wine, canned cocktails, and hard seltzers among 40+ drink selections. The menu extends beyond pizza to include brick oven wings with homemade sauces, paninis on freshly baked bread (try "The Pap" with ham, provolone, bacon, and mayo), loaded tater tots, and seven flavors of gelato served year-round. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM until 9-10 PM and Sunday 11 AM-8 PM (closed Mondays), with reservations accepted and delivery available through their mobile app. This popular destination for vacationers from nearby Massanutten resort accommodates large groups for a memorable night of food and fun.
Billy Jack's Wing & Draft Shack opened in summer 2011 at 92 S Main St in downtown Harrisonburg as the sister concept to Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, both founded by childhood best friends Aaron Ludwig and Mike Sabin who launched their restaurant empire in 2009. The venue has earned 4.4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor with 220 reviews, ranking #12 of 237 restaurants in Harrisonburg and receiving the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award, while BeerAdvocate rates it 4.26/5 as one of the best craft bars in Harrisonburg. The signature Sticky Nuggs—country fried chicken breast nuggets tossed in house-made sauces and served in Chinese takeout boxes for $8 (only $4 on "Nugg Day" Thursdays)—have become legendary, alongside their unique pork confit wings and build-your-own 10 Napkin Burgers with 30+ toppings. Billy Jack's features 12 rotating craft beer taps, claims Virginia's largest craft can selection, and always keeps a cask ale on tap, complemented by a full cocktail and moonshine menu. The funhouse-inspired interior showcases Mickey's grenade bottle chandeliers, dollar bills covering walls, and a rubber chicken standing guard over the bar—plus urinals fashioned from stainless steel kegs. The Bone Club loyalty program rewards dedicated patrons with exclusive brewery trips, merchandise at 100 visits, and "Captain" status with an annual party at 1,000 visits. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3-7 PM with $1 off all drafts, and weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM featuring $5 mimosas and $7 Bloody Marys. Hours extend from 11 AM to midnight on weekdays and until 2 AM on Saturdays, making this Harrisonburg entertainment venue ideal for sports viewing on multiple TVs, late-night eats, and experiencing the lively downtown Virginia nightlife scene.
Jack's Hideaway, established in 2014, operates as downtown Harrisonburg's only authentic speakeasy, requiring guests to knock on a nondescript navy door behind 92 South Main Street to discover what owners describe as "part hunting lodge, part Al Capone's basement." The venue shares ownership with Billy Jack's Wing & Draft Shack and Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, all created by childhood friends Aaron Ludwig and Mike Sabin—the space was originally their living quarters above Billy Jack's before transforming into what Virginia Living magazine featured as a "Shenandoah Secret." The intimate 23-person capacity ensures an exclusive atmosphere, with the venue earning 4.6-4.7 stars on Google from 43 reviews and 4.6 stars on Facebook from 48 reviews, with customers praising the "hidden gem" experience that's "a refreshing break from typical college town bars." House mixologist Tim Mongold crafts weekly rotating specialty cocktails alongside a curated selection of 100+ bourbons, ryes, whiskeys, and scotches from around the world, complemented by house-made infusions and bitters. The vintage, candlelit interior features funky antique décor, old-timey couches, and a swanky lounge atmosphere that reviewers recommend dressing up for. Jack's Hideaway operates Thursday through Saturday from 6 PM to midnight, with Sunday through Wednesday available exclusively for private events requiring a $400-$1,200 minimum depending on timing, plus a 50% deposit. Food options include ordering from Billy Jack's downstairs or enjoying the limited menu of meat, cheese, and baguettes perfect for cocktail accompaniment. Featured on Rocktown Bites culinary tours and part of Harrisonburg's designation as Virginia's first Downtown Culinary District, this prohibition-era inspired cocktail bar delivers an unforgettable Virginia nightlife experience priced at $25-$50 per person with a chill, upscale vibe that attracts more townies than college students, making it perfect for a date night or quiet conversation.
Pale Fire Brewing Co launched in April 2015 in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia (217 S Liberty Street, Suite 105), founded by Tim Brady and later sold to Jason and Kurtis McCall in June 2021, and it's established itself as an award-winning production craft brewery with 10+ years of operation and statewide Virginia distribution. The brewery operates from a converted historic Ice House building featuring a unique library theme with a large Little Free Library lending wall, fireplace with cozy seating, giant Lite Brite, vinyl record player for customer use, and large viewing windows into the production brewery, creating what customers describe as one of the most comfortable spots in Harrisonburg. Pale Fire earns impressive ratings including 4.6 stars on Google, 4.5 stars on Yelp, and TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award (Top 10%), with reviewers praising the excellent atmosphere, outstanding service from knowledgeable staff, and the 2021 Virginia Craft Beer Cup First Place winner Arrant IPA alongside rotating selections like Red Molly Irish Red Ale, Negative Boogie Hazy IPA, and Harrisonburger Pilsner across 10+ taps. The taproom serves Detroit-style pizza (partnered with Za Spot brand since February 2021) with specialty pies, build-your-own options, and the highly praised oversized soft pretzel with Red Molly beer cheese, plus appetizers, sandwiches, and salads, with flights priced at $12 for five 4oz pours and happy hour Monday-Friday 3-5 PM ($2 off draft pints) and all-day Sunday ($1 off). I grabbed a seat by the fireplace last winter and honestly didn't want to leave. Open daily with hours Monday-Tuesday 12-10 PM, Wednesday-Thursday 12-11 PM, Friday-Saturday 12 PM-midnight, and Sunday 12-10 PM, plus there's a second location in Basye near Bryce Resort that opened January 2024. The family-friendly, dog-friendly brewery and community hub hosts weekly events including Monday B SIDE Vinyl Night (6 PM), Wednesday Geeks Who Drink Trivia (8 PM), Thursday Singo Music Bingo (7 PM), Friday live music (7 PM), and monthly Books & Brews author events, all featuring pop culture-inspired beer names that reference literature, art, and music.
Ruby's Arcade, established in 2016, occupies the basement of the historic Wine Brothers building at 165 S Main St in downtown Harrisonburg, transforming a vintage space into the region's premier arcade bar and entertainment destination. Owner Clay Clark rescued antique 1950s duckpin bowling equipment from a Baltimore bowling alley, working with Chris Howdyshell to restore four lanes that now serve as Virginia's only duckpin bowling experience in an arcade setting. The venue charges just $7 per person for unlimited games, offering exceptional value for access to pool tables over 100 years old, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, darts, air hockey, skee-ball, and both retro and modern video arcade games. Beyond gaming, Ruby's wood-fired pizza oven and smoker produce house-smoked BBQ daily, including brisket, pulled pork, and ribs alongside creative pizzas with video game-themed names like "Master Chief" and "The Bowser." TripAdvisor awarded Ruby's Arcade its Travelers' Choice designation, with the venue earning 4.5 out of 5 stars from 52 reviews and ranking among Harrisonburg's top entertainment destinations. Weekly events include trivia every Sunday from 4-6 PM and free bingo on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, while the space accommodates private parties for up to 200 guests with reservations through events@clementinecafe.com. The industrial-meets-vintage atmosphere features art-lined walls, tables crafted from repurposed antique bowling lane wood, and a sprawling layout perfect for family afternoons or late-night adult entertainment—hours run Tuesday through Sunday, staying open until 2 AM on weekends. Contact Ruby's Arcade at rubysarcade@gmail.com for more information about this Harrisonburg nightlife gem.
Restless Moons Brewing opened February 2018 in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia (120 W Wolfe Street), founded by Jeffrey Moon (a former federal economist from Pittsburgh) and his wife Brittany Moon who purchased the former Wolfe Street Brewing Company in November 2017 after Jeffrey experienced restless nights working in finance that inspired both his career change and the brewery's name. Operating for 7+ years from a converted auto service station/former Jiffy Lube with industrial garage charm, overhead doors that open for indoor-outdoor flow, and a beer garden patio with string lights and picnic tables, this nanobrewery focuses on constant experimentation over flagship beers with 12 rotating taps featuring IPAs like Boom Cooking with Gunpowder (Citra-Mosaic golden IPA), stouts including Gregarious oatmeal stout and Just Desserts red velvet-inspired milk stout, plus the popular Harrisonburger Pilsner and various saisons, ESBs, and one-keg experimental batches. The brewery earns 4.4/5 stars on TripAdvisor and 3.78/5 on BeerAdvocate with reviewers consistently praising the unique atmosphere, super friendly and knowledgeable staff, excellent outdoor space, and laid-back unpretentious vibe, though opinions on individual beer quality are mixed (and honestly that's fair for a place that experiments this much). Beer flights run $7 for four 4oz samples and pours come in 5oz, 10oz, and 16oz sizes. Last time I stopped by, someone's dog wandered over and tried to steal my pretzel right off the table. Open Monday-Thursday 4-10 PM, Friday 3-11 PM (or midnight), Saturday 12 PM-11 PM (or midnight), and Sunday 2-8 PM, Restless Moons doesn't serve its own food but regularly hosts food trucks in the back patio area and offers games including giant Jenga, two cornhole sets, shuffleboard, dartboard, and board games like Apples to Apples and Yahtzee. The dog-friendly patio and taproom hosts weekly Wednesday bingo nights, Monday B-Movie Bingo (seasonal), monthly comedy shows, regular live music performances, and displays local artists' work available for purchase, all within walking distance of James Madison University and part of the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
The Catamount Lounge is a cocktail bar and live entertainment venue located at 124 East Main Street in downtown Front Royal, Virginia, opened on December 7, 2023 by entrepreneurs Shenan Hahn and Christopher Kemp—the creative forces behind the beloved Pancake Underground in Strasburg. The venue's unique name references the legendary "catamount" (mountain lion) that locals claim to spot near Shenandoah National Park despite official reports that they don't exist in Virginia, giving this Front Royal nightlife destination a mysterious Shenandoah Valley character. This Virginia cocktail lounge features an extensive menu of over 70 handcrafted cocktails alongside inventive mocktails, locally-sourced oysters on the half shell, gluten-free crab cakes, and signature dishes like Papa Kemp's Chili Bowl—with vegetarian and vegan options available throughout. Entertainment at this Front Royal live music pub includes live bands on Thursdays (8-10 PM) and Saturdays (8-11 PM), karaoke every Friday night, Monday open mic nights, Sunday variety events, and occasional comedy showcases, making it one of the most active nightlife and entertainment venues in Warren County. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.9/5 rating on Yelp and 4.6/5 average across platforms—guests consistently praise the warm, eclectic retro decor, exceptionally friendly staff, creative cocktails at reasonable prices, and quality elevated bar food. The venue offers a daily "Happy Meow-er" from 5-7 PM with drink specials, and stays open until 1 AM on weekends—rare late-night hours for Shenandoah Valley entertainment spots. For reservations or booking inquiries, contact The Catamount Lounge at (540) 551-3058 or thecatamountlounge@gmail.com.
Vibrissa Beer, originally founded as Front Royal Brewing Company in 2018, rebranded to expand distribution beyond its geographic name, with "vibrissa" being the scientific term for whiskers—the stiff sensory hairs on mammal snouts. The Front Royal taproom at 122 E Main Street occupies a beautifully renovated 1920s building that was originally Boyd's Garage, "home to the fanciest cars in the Shenandoah Valley," with architecture recognized by the American Institute of Architecture for revitalization efforts. Owners Tim and Kerry Barnhart, along with co-owner Jeffrey Carroll and head brewer Mike McCarthy, have built a nationally recognized brewery that earned a 2023 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal for Scout milk stout and a 2021 GABF Silver Medal for Park Pass helles lager. The brewery's diverse lineup ranges from traditional German-style lagers to West Coast IPAs, with flagships including Gracious Living (West Coast IPA) and Compass hefeweizen—all available throughout Virginia at Total Wine, Trader Joe's, and local bottle shops. TripAdvisor ranks Vibrissa #9 of 70 restaurants in Front Royal and #1 of 3 Bars & Pubs with 4.3 out of 5 stars from 107 reviews and a Travelers' Choice award, while Yelp features 318 reviews praising the upscale pub food and incredible beer. The full-service restaurant features farm-to-table inspired cuisine with appetizers ($10-$15), sandwiches ($15-$19), and entrees ($19-$22) including their signature smash burger made with a short rib and brisket blend. Live music showcases some of the region's best performers weekly, spanning 80's covers, classic rock, newgrass, and blues across the atmospheric taproom with high ceilings and two outdoor dining decks. Vibrissa uniquely sponsors Basecamp, a facility providing gear storage, showers, and laundry for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers—the walls are covered with signatures from AT visitors, making it a beloved post-hiking destination and popular respite for tourists visiting Shenandoah National Park. A second location in Winchester's former Winchester Star building offers artisan sourdough pizzas. Hours run 11 AM-9 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 11 PM Friday-Saturday.
Skyline Sports Bar is a family-friendly sports bar and restaurant at 40 Riverton Commons Plaza #40 in Front Royal, VA 22630, serving the Shenandoah Valley with American cuisine and sports entertainment since its recent opening. This Front Royal sports bar has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp and an impressive 100% recommendation rate on Facebook from 13 reviews, which has helped establish it as a top dining destination in Warren County. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11am to midnight and Friday through Saturday from 11am to 2am, Skyline Sports Bar features multiple large-screen TVs for watching games, a jukebox you can control from your phone, and various entertainment options including sports viewing, karaoke, and social gatherings. Menu highlights include their famous Philly cheesesteaks (praised as the best in the area), fresh hot food, margaritas, and a specialty margarita flight for sampling different flavors, with prices ranging from appetizers like Mandy's Mozz Sticks ($10.50) to entrees like Hand Cut Ribeye ($35). Guests can reach the restaurant at (540) 551-3188 or email info@skylinesportsbar.com for reservations and information. Reviews consistently praise the restaurant's turnaround from initial opening hiccups to a well-managed establishment with excellent customer service, particularly noting the proactive manager who ensures customer satisfaction and repeat business. I'll admit I was skeptical when I first heard about the rocky start, but they've clearly figured things out. With ample seating including high-top and low-back tables, a well-appointed bar, and convenient parking in the Riverton Commons Plaza, Skyline Sports Bar has quickly become a local favorite for sports fans, families, and anyone searching for bars near me in Front Royal, Virginia.
