Babes of Carytown

Babes of Carytown is an LGBTQ friendly bar, founded in 1979 as a lesbian bar, and located in Richmond, Virginia.^[1][2][3] It is known for its beach volleyball court, live music, and drag shows.^[4][5][6] It is Richmond's only lesbian-focused bar, and one of only thirty-three remaining in the country.^[7] Additionally, it has now become the oldest lesbian bar on the east coast and the second oldest in the country.

Key Information

Address	Richmond, Virginia U.S.
Type	LGBTQ bar
Opened	1979
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From 2011 through 2016, it was the first place Reader's Pick in Style Weekly for Best Gay Bar.^[8] In 2017, Babes was inducted into the Style Weekly Hall of Fame.^[9] It then tied for first place as the Style Weekly Reader's Pick in 2018, and then was the first place Reader's pick from 2019 through 2021.^[10]

In 2017, it was selected by Thrillist as Virginia's best dive bar and in 2022 was recognized by Tasting Table as among the best LGBTQ bars in the nation.^[11][12]

In a 2017 report prepared for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources LGBTQ Heritage Working Group, Babes is described as "a rare survivor from the pre-1991 period, during which the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regularly shut down establishments that served or employed LGBTQ individuals."^[13]

1. ^ Marschak, Beth; Lorch, Alex (2008). Lesbian and Gay Richmond. Arcadia Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7385-5368-9.
2. ^ Holter, Emily (January 21, 2019). "Back-Of-The-House Babes: Richmond Women Dominate Their Work In a Male-Dominated Restaurant Industry". RVA Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
3. ^ Hand, Clare (February 4, 2020). "Dyke Nightlife Diary: Babe's Of Carytown, Virginia's Unexpectedly Lit LGBTQ+ Bar". GO. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
4. ^ Jones, Terri L. (2016-11-21). "Richmond Bar Guide: Fun & Games". richmondmagazine.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
5. ^ Heil, Meredith (2020-06-30). "Richmond's Babe's of Carytown Provides a Campy Escape from the Everyday". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
6. ^ Key, Michael (January 26, 2012). "You don't have to go far to get away". Washington Blade. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
7. ^ Egan, Maureen (2010-09-14). Insiders' Guide® to Richmond, VA. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7627-6677-2. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
8. ^ Reviews of Babes
   • "Best Gay Bar 2012". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
   • "Best Gay Bar 2013". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
   • "Best Gay Bar 2014". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
   • "Best Gay Bar 2015". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
   • "Best Gay Bar 2016". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
9. ^ "Best Gay Bar 2017". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
10. ^ References:
    • "Best Gay Bar 2018". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
    • "Best Gay Bar 2019". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
    • "Best Gay Bar 2020". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
    • "Best Gay Bar 2021". Style Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
11. ^ Kryza, Andy; Lynch, Matt (15 September 2017). "The Best Dive Bar in Every State". Thrillist. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
12. ^ Dykes, Carrie (2022-06-07). "The Best LGBTQ+ Bars In The US". Retrieved 2022-11-15.
13. ^ Shevchenko, Yelyzaveta (November 2017). "Reconnaissance Survey of LGBTQ Architectural Resources in the City of Richmond" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources LGBTQ Heritage Working Group. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

37°33′14″N 77°28′56″W / 37.55387°N 77.48236°W / 37.55387; -77.48236

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