By Tyler Stepanian

Poe’s Pub at dusk. 

Nestled under the shadow of Church Hill and down East Main Street from the historic Poe Museum sits an iconic Richmond landmark: Poe’s Pub. Since opening in 1994, the pub has been a Richmond favorite due to its “southern hospitality” mixed with the elements of an “Irish tavern,” according to their website. These aspects make it one of the most intriguing restaurants in the city, and the menu that has clever items as “an ode to the poet” who grew up in Richmond before attending the University of Virginia and inspired the restaurant: Edgar Allen Poe.

Growing up in Richmond, I have been to this historic pub on many occasions, as it is also one of my father’s favorite restaurants in the city. However, because it is a twenty-minute drive from my house, my visits to the restaurant are few and far between. Until this recent visit, I had not visited the restaurant in about five years. However, when I pulled into the parking lot last Sunday with my dad, Mark Stepanian (‘89), the pub looked exactly how I remembered, with its signature “Sorry We’re Open” neon sign illuminated in the window.

Poe’s signature sign. 

As I stepped into the restaurant, nostalgia swarmed me as I gazed upon the portraits of Poe that peer into your soul as you enter the restaurant. My personal favorite is Poe dressed in a Washington Redskins uniform. As we entered, my father was immediately greeted with hellos from the manager and the restaurant’s regulars, as he had gotten to know them so well in the many years he spent distributing alcohol to the pub. The pub was still freshly decorated in green, and shamrocks hung all over the walls as they had just finished celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. We were then seated and quickly met by our waitress, who brought out drinks and menus. 

The restaurant’s menu mixes elements of southern comfort food with its Irish background. A few items on the menu include pulled pork BBQ; their “Practically Famous Meatloaf,” served with mashed potatoes, Guinness mushroom demi-glace and grilled vegetable du jour; and Blarney Stones, which are slow-roasted corned beef with Swiss and covered in thousand island sauce. My dad and I were starving, so we ordered the Sunday special: sweet Thai chili wings appetizer with ranch on the side. Usually, when I eat wings, I like to keep it simple: smoked, or maybe plain barbeque. But the Thai wings were absolutely delicious, bringing the flavor of the chicken to life. After we quickly finished the wings, we ordered our main courses. My dad recommended the ribs because they were his “favorite thing on the menu,” Luckily, they had one-half rack left, so I ordered them, and he ordered tuna steaks with a side of squash. 

While we waited for our food, I looked around the restaurant, taking in the objects that filled the walls. My dad had previously stated that one of the many reasons he liked the pub so much was because its walls were so “junked up” with a random assortment of objects that added only more character to the place. The walls are filled with boxing gloves, a deer mount, a map of Ireland, and of course, hundreds of posters for Guinness, the famous Irish stout that is also known for their vintage ads. The men’s bathroom walls are covered with old records by every band imaginable.

Vintage Guinness ads on the walls of Poe’s.

In the main dining area of the pub stands a centerpiece of bar culture, the coveted dartboard. This dartboard has seen thousands of games, judging by the millions of tiny holes surrounding it from players missing the board, and the indented line in the carpet that has been formed from players standing behind it. As I was contemplating the decor, our food arrived.

The ribs I ordered were truly spectacular. They were falling off the bone and had the perfect texture and flavor of barbecue tang mixed with smokey grill. They were served over a bed of crispy French fries and with a side of coleslaw that, mixed all together, made an explosion of flavor in my mouth. My dad’s tuna steak was also excellent. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and served with a side of cocktail sauce, the tuna steak was arguably just as scrumptious as any piece of red meat I had ever had. Also, the grilled squash served with the steak was surprisingly delicious, as it had a nice oily flavor, mixing well with the cocktail sauce on the side. 

Overall, my experience at Poe’s Pub was extremely enjoyable, as I spent the night devouring delectable food with my father. The restaurant’s environment makes you feel like you are in Central Perk Cafe from Friends, because it is relaxed, friendly, and welcoming, which is one of the reasons why the pub is so special. So, if you ever find yourself at The Poe Museum, or on Church Hill, or just want some excellent ribs, make sure to go down the street to Poe’s Pub for delicious food and an inviting environment.

All photos by Tyler Stepanian.