Mekong Restaurant has gone from a Vietnamese restaurant in its humble beginnings in 1995, to a local favorite when it came to craft beer spots, to snagg
Mekong Restaurant has gone from a Vietnamese restaurant in its humble beginnings in 1995, to a local favorite when it came to craft beer spots, to snagging the title for “Best Beer Bar in America” multiple times in a row by Craftbeer.com and opening a brewpub right next door called “The Answer” dedicated to all things craft beer.
Now Mekong is turning 20 and throwing a big party tomorrow to celebrate. The Richmond Times Dispatch recently sat down with owner An Bui to look back on his success.
According to the article, Bui knew from the start that craft beer was the way to go.
“The big challenge,” he recalled in the article, “was convincing my family that the beer direction was where we needed to go.” They started out with three lines, increasing to 20 in a few months. “The draft line rescued us.”
Brewer Eric McKay of Hardywood told the RTD Mekong had a strong influence on where they set up shop. Strangeways Brewing owner Neil Burton and local home brewer Tyler Kidd had nothing but positive remarks to say about Bui.
Our own president here at RVA Mag John Reinhold is quite the fan of Mekong to say the least. Here’s what he had to say about his beloved beer bar:
“Mekong and An have always been amazing supporters to us here at RVA Magazine,” Reinhold said. “They also have been huge supporters of the growing culture of Richmond music and of course craft beer. With humble beginnings as a Vietnamese resturant, it has grown to be listed as the best beer bar in the country for multiple years. How does that happen? It happens because of the community and family it has fostered over these years.”
He added that he often refers to Mekong as his own “Cheers”, but better.
“I have made many friendships, learned about amazing beers and breweries, held ridiculously amazing and fun events,” he said. “I guess most importantly, I feel like I’m a part it, part of the community of it. When Mekong won “Best Beer Bar” it was all of us in RVA winning. Really it’s about the people, An makes it about the people – enthusiasm and love for beer and people, and that makes it feel like home, albeit a home with 50+ amazing beers on tap.”
To celebrate those 20 years of great food and amazing craft beer, Mekong is throwing a party Tuesday, Dec. 8. Here is what Bui had to say on the event page about how Mekong has shaped Richmond and changed the craft beer scene over the years:
“When we opened Mekong in 1995, we had no idea what a part of people’s lives we would become… People have met, fallen in love, and babies have been born (sometimes thanks to what we served at the bar)… The world has changed around us – Richmond is now a craft beer and restaurant Mecca, and Mekong has been voted best craft beer bar in America… thanks to you. Our waistlines may have expanded a bit, and there seems to be something happening to our hair, but our mission remains the same, to do everything we can to be the best restaurant and beer bar you’ve ever seen, and provide a connection that you can’t get anywhere else. That part is the essential element in Mekong’s success – it’s you. You’re Mekong. As you think back on the time you’ve spent with us, we want you to know that we have been very proud to have been a part of your life. We have had as much fun making you happy, or just being there when you needed us, as you have. Thanks for spreading the word, and for making Mekong (and Richmond!) the special place it is. Without you it wouldn’t be possible.”
The anniversary party, which kicks off at 4 pm, will include craft beer of course, and other fun festivities so head on out to Mekong at 6004 W. Broad St., to help celebrate with them.
