A handful of Richmond restaurants for your St. Patrick's Day essentials
Ironclad Coffee is officially open for business at Richmond International Airport with three brand-new spots. The Richmond-based roasting company partnered with Delaware North, which manages food service operations for the airport.
Ironclad opened locations in the A and B concourses along with a pre-security café in the atrium. The three outlets were previously occupied by Caribou Coffee.
Ironclad’s flagship café in Shockoe Bottom opened in July 2018 after the husband-and-wife ownership team spent two-and-a-half years perfecting their style of roasting. Its second location opened in 2022 at 2100 John Rolfe Parkway in western Henrico County.
“My wife and I established Ironclad in the autumn of 2015 after spending almost five years in the Republic of Ireland. We brought back a literal world of coffee experience with the determined intention to offer a unique coffee experience with uncommon levels of customer service,” said Ryan O’Rourke, owner of Ironclad Coffee Roasters. “Having a major presence in our beloved hometown airport is a major step for us in representing Richmond and sharing our passion more broadly.”
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Ironclad’s menu at the airport features Ironclad’s drip coffee, known as JetBrew, its bare-knuckle espresso, and tea-based drinks like masala chai lattes, matcha lattes and premium loose leaf teas.
“The O’Rourkes created something truly special in Ironclad Coffee Roasters,” said Johanna Wheeler, general manager for Delaware North at RIC. “We know travelers will really appreciate getting a true taste of the town with the three Ironclad locations conveniently located throughout the airport.”
Top five weekend events: St. Patrick's Day at The Answer, Hardywood, O'Toole's and more
St. Patrick's Day Weekend at O’Toole’s
Thursday-Saturday
O'Toole's kicks off St. Patrick's Day festivities with an Irish wake starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, a tradition begun in order to allow Catholics fasting for Lent to drink alcohol. On Friday and Saturday, there will be bagpipers, Irish bands and food specials, such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips, all day long. Music starts at 11 a.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at 4800 Forest Hill Ave. (804) 233-1781 or https://otoolesrestaurant.com
Virginia Opera "La Traviata"
Friday and Sunday
"La Traviata" — a timeless love story about Violetta, a famed Parisian courtesan who abandons her past to pursue true love with Alfredo, only to have their relationship threatened by the shame of his family — is headed to Dominion Energy Center. 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 600 E. Grace St. Tickets start at $25. (804) 592-3330 or www.dominionenergycenter.com
The Answer Brewpub St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Saturday
The Answer Brewpub throws its outdoor St. Patrick's Day Celebration with three food trucks, including Eat My Eggroll and Noah's Rockin' Buns, and a beer trailer pouring a wide range of brews, including special releases created exclusively for the event. Noon-6 p.m. 6008 W. Broad St. Free entry; pay as you go. (804) 282-1248 or theanswerbrewpub.com
The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular
Saturday
The circus is coming to town as The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular take over The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for a night of mind-bending acrobatics, artistry and illusion featuring a cast of aerialists, contortionists, fire artists and more in a performance fit for the whole family. 7-9 p.m. 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. $40. (804) 261-2787 or www.artsglenallen.com
St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Hardywood West Creek
Saturday
Head to Hardywood West Creek to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a full day of festive live music, Irish dancing, food trucks serving up Irish fare, plenty of Irish red ale to cheers to, and more. Noon-8 p.m. at 820 Sanctuary Trail Drive. Free to attend; pay as you go. (804) 420-2420 or www.hardywood.com
