Waynesboro’s Best Cocktail Spots
You’ve been busy lately, with holiday shopping, decorating, socializing, and just living your life. How about taking a well-deserved break to relax with a delicious cocktail? Want something simple and elegant served on the rocks? Would you rather sip a complicated concoction requiring a blender, exotic ingredients, and lots of tiny umbrellas? Either way, we’ve got you covered. Here are our favorite spots to score cocktails in Waynesboro.
The Showroom at Basic City Beer Co. should be your first stop for scoring a great cocktail. The space is in the former Virginia Metalcrafter’s factory, which lends a cool, laid-back vibe. The cocktails all have a story and are fashioned after the life of the sort-of-mythical/sort-of-real globe-trotting Captain Dick. If you’re a whiskey fan, try The Captain “Slingback” Dick cocktail, which is designed for slow, measured sipping. It incorporates Woodford Reserve, Luxardo Cherry, bitters, Orange Twist, and smoke. If you’d rather stick to beer, you’ll be able to access the Basic City taps as well as a wine list. Hungry? Order a red or white wood-fired pizza from the onsite Lost Town Billy Pie Pizza.
You’ll probably be planning to stay for dinner at Heritage on Main, but make time to have a drink before your meal. The bar has 24 beers on tap, and Heritage is known for classic and specialty cocktails. Try the Autumn's Rita, made with Reposado tequila, cinnamon simple syrup, lime juice, and apple shrub. Accompany your beverage with appetizers like ahi tuna skewers, lamb lollipop, and fried oysters. Happy Hour is from Tuesday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. After a round of drinks, choose a home-cooked main course from a menu that includes decadent steak, pasta, and seafood entrees as well as hearty salads and sandwiches.
Looking for somewhere to grab drinks on date night? The Green Leaf Grill offers a wide array of classic cocktails, a number of cocktails with the Green Leaf twist like cucumber gimlets and the N’awlins’ Hurricane. You’ll also find a rotating menu of seasonal specials, including fall mimosas and chocolatinis. After drinks, savor flavors like chicken marsala, shrimp and grits, or a Cajun catfish po boy. You’ll love the Green Leaf Grill’s homey feel and high-end food.
The River Burger Bar serves wine, beer, and cocktails like bloody marys and margaritas in a modern pub atmosphere. Happy hour is Monday-Thursday, 3:30-5:30. Pull up a stool, grab a table, or even call ahead for curbside or take-out service. The River features both simple and decadent burgers made with certified Angus beef patties topped with fresh ingredients. You can also order tasty and interesting sides like veggie spring rolls, Wisconsin cheese curds, and fries topped with bacon and beer cheese. If someone in your party has dietary restrictions, you can get vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Asian fusion hot spot Silk Road connects diners with flavors from a variety of cultures. You’ll find sushi, Japanese food, Chinese food, and Thai food. There’s also a full bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails to be enjoyed before, during, or after you meal. Order a Sake Tini or a Strawberry Smash, which are both delicious and Insta-worthy. Diners can select a specific entree or sample several flavors by ordering from the a la carte menus.
You can't talk cocktails without including a margarita! Plaza Antigua is just the place to try a jumbo margarita, and on Mondays they are $5 all day. Not feeling a margarita? Plaza also has a full bar! Hungry? Check out the inspired menu of Mexican cuisine including street tacos, marisocs, and their famous table-side guacamole. All of their food and their margaritas (!) are available to go and they usually have live music on the weekends!
There you have our favorite cocktails, Waynesboro-style. Relax, take a smooth sip and a deep breath. You deserve it!
