For those who dare to embrace the darker side of love, writer Lauren Vincelli unveils an array of gothic date spots across the city in time for Valentine’s Day. From eerie matinees at Dracula ballets to sultry nights filled with sugar baby shopping sprees and clandestine graveyard rendezvous, enjoy your goth date the Richmond way.
Daywalker: Matinee of Dracula at the Richmond Ballet, then pick up a pizza from Dinamo or a couple of vegan sandos from 821 Cafe, and do a little smooching under your parasol at Hollywood Cemetery.
Spoilt Goth: Sugar baby shopping spree at Rest In Pieces, Rumors, and Saturn Return. Nails at Scorpio Rising nail studio, hair and glam from stylist Elysia Honey Horn, and a late show of Dracula ballet followed by dinner at Cobra Cabana.
Art District Goth: Dried Flowers from Rushing Blooms, a dip into the Dementi photo archives, or a black and white selfie shoot at the Renaissance building followed by a nice glass of pinot noir and some small plates at Penny’s Wine Shop.
Galantines: Vintage shopping at Halcyon, lunch at Helen’s, then head over to Hollywood Cemetery for pics with W.W. Poole, Oderus, and the black dog. Then head back to Oregon Hill for a Goth girls’ night in at The Black Pine.
East End Goths: 8 1⁄2 Church Hill picnic and volunteer clean-up at Evergreen Cemetery followed by a naughty night at Nocturnal Gardens.
Jackson Ward Goths: Start your own rave under the band shell at Abner Clay Park, drinks and snacks and cigs at GWAR Bar after.
Locals Only: Shopping at the Richmond Moon Market? Beers and kissing under the train tracks at Stone Brewing, and surprise tickets to see Hate 1990, Prisoner, Windhand, Battlemaster, or Lamb of God.
Shockoe Goths: Ghost hunting by the Collapsed C&O train tunnel and drinks at Wonderland or a drag show at Fallout.
Chilangoth/Chologoth: Makeovers, Prayers, and midnight dinner at La Milpa.
Free Goth: Take a romantic walk through the newly renovated Pump House Park, Richmond’s Victorian Goth marvel. Lay out a blanket by the canal and recite a sonnet to your bae while you rub their feet.
Naughty Goth: Head to Taboo for supplies, then meet at midnight for drinks and spaghetti at Hot For Pizza. Do that Lady and the Tramp thing. Just be into it. Play NIN and Siouxsie and the Banshees on the jukebox. See if you can make it all the way through dessert.
Abandoned Baddie: Surprise your black lipstick lover with homemade vegan charcuterie and a bottle of Mt. Defiance absinthe laid out by candlelight and faux furs on the floor of Strange Matter, the legendary abandoned haunted punk venue and shit hole.
