From Biker Bar to Metal Mecca: Check Out Another Round

by | Dec 5, 2024 | COMMUNITY, CULTURE, METAL, PUNK, THRASH & HARDCORE, NIGHTLIFE, ROCK & INDIE, SMALL BUSINESS

Richmond has always been a city where music does more than just play in the background. For decades, heavy music has found its footing here, rising from packed clubs, DIY spaces, and warehouses. A part of that culture today is Another Round Bar & Grill, a modest spot on Brook Road in Lakeside that’s become a part of the city’s music ecosystem right on the city limits.

From the outside, Another Round doesn’t scream for attention. It’s the kind of place you discover rather than stumble upon. Inside, though, it’s alive. By day, it’s a relaxed neighborhood joint serving burgers and beers. At night, the amps hum, the lights dim, and it transforms into a space where the music takes over and the crowd locks in.

Brian Fisher: The Heart Behind the Bar

Every great venue has someone who makes it tick, and at Another Round, that person is Brian Fisher. A veteran of Richmond’s heavy music scene, Fisher has done it all—played the shows, toured the country, and seen firsthand what it takes to keep a scene alive. When he took over Another Round a few years back, his vision was clear: create a space for musicians and fans to come together, thrive, and grow.

“This wasn’t about just running a bar,” Fisher explains. “It was about giving Richmond something it needed—a place for bands to get their start and for fans to feel connected.”

He’s done just that. Whether it’s a band playing their first set or a seasoned act shaking the walls, Another Round gives every performer a chance to leave it all on stage.

Another-Round-Bar-Grill_by-R.-Anthony-Harris_RVA-Magazine-2024
Photo by Dave Pearson

What Sets Another Round Apart

What makes Another Round special isn’t flashy design or over-the-top concepts—it’s the sense of purpose. The venue still carries traces of its biker bar past, but the vibe is welcoming and inclusive. Regular events like metal karaoke and comedy nights keep things interesting, while the steady lineup of live shows ensures there’s always something happening.

And it’s not just about the music. The food and drinks are straightforward and satisfying, the kind of no-frills menu that suits the atmosphere perfectly. Whether you’re there for the riffs or just wandering in for a beer, the place feels comfortable, unpretentious, and genuinely inviting.

Why Another Round Matters

Richmond’s music scene has always thrived in spaces like Another Round—venues where people gather to create, connect, and celebrate the music that moves them. It’s not about the headliners or the glitz; it’s about the roots. For Brian Fisher, this isn’t just a business—it’s a mission to preserve and support the scene he loves.

“This place is for the community,” Fisher says. “For the people who care about the music, community and each other.”

Main photo: Tyler Small of Saving Vice by @joshgmba4

R. Anthony Harris

R. Anthony Harris

In 2005, I created RVA Magazine, and I'm still at the helm as its publisher. From day one, it’s been about pushing the “RVA” identity, celebrating the raw creativity and grit of this city. Along the way, we’ve hosted events, published stacks of issues, and, most importantly, connected with a hell of a lot of remarkable people who make this place what it is. Catch me at @majormajor____




more in community

Infinite Expansions: A Conversation with Lonnie Liston Smith

Exclusive Q&A with Lonnie Liston Smith below. Today was a good day. This very magazine’s Landon Shroder invited me to interview one of Richmond’s real living legends, jazz impresario Lonnie Liston Smith. On September 13, they will be screening selections from the...

What Happened Before the Video?

There are two sides to every story, but a lot of the time, the first narrative is the one that sticks. Case in point: last week, an altercation broke out during one of the weekly neighborhood rides organized by the Broad Street Bullies. The ride has happened every...

What the Hell is VITCO? We Went to Find Out.

Editor’s Note: This story was produced in partnership with Virginia Transit Company (VITCO). There are few large-ish pieces of real estate in the city proper that have been more screaming for development than the fallow field bordered by Clay Street and Hermitage...

Can Ellwood Thompson’s Survive Its Owners?

What is Ellwood Thompson’s now? That feels like a fair question most people should be asking right now after this week’s news that the company that owns one of Richmond’s most recognizable stores is being taken over by another company whose primary business is data...

I Went to the Data Center Town Hall at Studio Two Three

On Monday night, close to 300 to people packed into Studio Two Three in Richmond for a town hall about data centers, moderated by Gray Montrose and co-hosted by Henrico Civic Action and Data Center Defiance.  I went to get a better sense of where Richmonders are from...

Be Kind, Rewind! Welcome to Monster Video

On a hot day in June, while visiting The Veiled Mirror and talking with them about collecting old books and DVDs, I was told that next door would be opening as a VHS video store soon. All throughout July, several of my friends who knew of my movie library habit...

Skip the Chains! A VCU Student Guide to Cheap-ish Local Eats

It’s that time of year when the U-Hauls come rolling in, parents are circling the block looking for parking, and thousands of new VCU students are about to move in and get their first real taste of Richmond. There are about 4,500 new students and 1,500 transfer...