Sandbar Grill & Pub — Restaurant in Virginia

Review from my 1st and only visit there (...so far - i'll be back)

*1st thing of major importance - smoking IS allowed inside. Which is why I freaking loved the place! *

*if cigarettes bother you I felt it important to let you know. *

Now that that is outta the way, I'll tell you the other things I liked.

Great priced food. I mean two of us ate and had left overs for like 13 bucks. We got to choose several sides as a plate. Good comfort food in my book. Love me some deep fried mushrooms!

Fireball on tap, friendly tender, ...who made me a custom drink based off of what I told her I liked. There's several large very clear TVs playing different things in order to appeal to many different likes.

Entering the doors you'll see the bar straight back lining the back wall and lining the right wall. Well stocked and several tending to customers. This "room" or area pretty much is bar only and open floor. I'm assuming the space between the 2 wide doorway/ entry ways on each end of the divider wall(on left) is a place for a band and clear floor for dancing. There wasn't a band and no one was dancing ...so i'm not able to comment on whether or not it is a place to go dance if you were specifically seeking out such.

The other side (as I call it) is simple open with several round tables and chairs all with ashtrays . This side is equipped with electronic and casino games. Load $, spin, win (or not). I'd never played one before but we won 30 bucks.... that's when I cashed out. But my friend was up $120 and cashed out at $100.

Clean restrooms. (Something in my mind is making me think they're unisex, but I can't remember. Hmm, but i do remember that they are clean) Clean floors. Clean...

About average bar food, okay service, decent prices, some eye-catching things on the menu but generally I can almost call the food low-quality - just nothing spectacular! Would come again if I wasn’t paying or if I couldn’t come up with any other place that serves similar hearty American bar food, but I’m not sure that’ll happen anytime soon. Experience was fine, no complaints, just nothing to be praised. Cannot speak to the arcade and bar section, which was packed and loud and is exclusive to individuals over 21, but I didn’t want to go in anyway. Max and cheese is made with milk and American cheese (as informed by the chef), and is good, but the fact that it is American cheese alone turns me off a bit. Chorizo chuck burger is fun but somehow too meaty, and doesn’t have enough toppings. The Reuben was alright but no two bites were the same, there should’ve been more jalapeños, and more meat, and I really just wanted it to be a little more hearty and savory. Fries were awesome, salted very well and nice texture. The pink lemonade was not as bad as I remember it usually being. Bathroom was acceptable, although when I got paper towels out of the thingie, I ended up getting a whole big bunch cause it was a little clogged. Waitress hardly checked on us, and wasn’t very attentive, but that wasn’t much of a problem, she was kind and helpful. Bouncer is very large, doesn’t let people bring backpacks inside, and not particularly friendly (although not mean, just not sociable). I think that sums it all up...

Have been going here for years. And i have to say its changed quite a bit. I have to be honest when i say this, so please dont take offense. Sometimes, the patrons are loud and obnoxious and they have a security team to combat so thats it a peaceful time the whole time youre there. You feel safe. However, ive seen bartenders be rude too for no reason. Security guards are getting worse. I know they have a job to do. But sometimes it too seems a bit obnoxious. For the paying customers it seems rude. The deejays- some are okay. And some not. It depends who's deejaying. Larry Neiderkorn always has the place hopping on Fridays and Saturdays. Ya'll should check it out!! I dont mean to sound biased, its just my honest opinion. Sandbar is split up into two restaurants under one roof. Midtown Eats in the front and Sandbar in the back barroom. Both have excellent food menu items. The entertainment is what keeps me coming week after week. Everybody contributes and puts their own unique style and sound to the music. They have dart tournaments. And pool tables to play pool and various different games to play. While youre listening to great music. They even have a dance floor to get your groove on. And a place outfront to smoke. And i might add the smoke is horrendous in this place. Its hard to breathe. Sorry... But the truth. Something needs done about this problem. And it dont help when most ppl smoke in the bar and not outside. The ventilation in the place doesnt work well. The kitchen staff...