Review #3 - Vivify Burger & Lounge

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Bar: Vivify Burger & Lounge

Vivify sign at night

Location

Rated by
Musselman
Reggie
Mike
Johnny
Jeremy

Vivify Burger & Lounge is one of the newer spots in Downtown Fredericksburg, but it has quickly gained a following for being the first spot to have a rooftop bar. In our opinion, the rooftop area is the main draw of the location. When the weather is nice, Vivify sits solidly in our rotation of places to go, but when the temperature drops, or the forces of nature otherwise conspire against us, it’s not often that we find ourselves heading there.

Courtyard from above

The lower level is the main restaurant area, and it’s rather small. There’s a bar that sits about 10 people, a few tables, and a booth that has basically a plank for a table near the bar. Out the back door is a courtyard, with some picnic tables, and a set of stairs that takes you to the rooftop.

Inside dining room

Once you get upstairs, there is a bar to the left, booths along the far wall (which overlooks William St.) and tables. This area is also slightly small, as there is a wooden wall blocking off what we have to assume is ventilation/ductwork/other industrial type things, but the space only feels small when it’s packed.

Upstairs seating

Selection/Variety

Rooftop bar

Pros

• Number of beers
• Good variety of beers
• Craft “hipster” beers
• Spiked Milkshakes – perfect for the summer
• Rotating stock

Cons

• Cans only – only 2 taps
• Very little wine and liquor selection (if that’s your thing)
• We only saw boxed wine available last night

Inside bar

Atmosphere

Pro

• The rooftop bar (when the weather is nice) – it’s a perfect spot to get a drink on a nice summer evening
• The music is always good
• Feels like your local spot
• Décor is homey, almost like a back porch
• The crowd is always chill, and everyone seems to be there just to relax and enjoy their beer

Con

• The rooftop bar (when the weather is bad) – when the rooftop is closed, the times are few and far between I end up there
• Only one toilet per gender – when it gets busy, it can take a while
• A bit tight on space

Rooftop

Location

Pro

• Prime location
• Heart of downtown Fredericksburg
• Within walking distance of all the other bars you want to go to on a good night
• On one of the main drags, but you normally don’t have issues finding parking

Cons

• On a super busy night, you may have to park 2 blocks away, but that’s an indictment of Fredericksburg, not the location

Service/Staff

Pros

• Never had a staff member be mean or nasty
• Super personable
• Very professional
• They treat you like friends, not customers

Cons

• When it’s busy upstairs, you don’t have a server, you have to walk to the bar for drinks
• Busy nights at the bar requires a wait to order both food and drinks

Prices

Pros

• Prices are fair
• You’re getting cans, but you’re paying a decent price for them
• The more expensive beers are either larger or higher in alcohol or both

Cons

• Spiked milkshakes are a little pricey, but they are delicious

Events/Entertainment

Pros/Cons

• Events aren't their “scene”
• They bring you in with the burgers and the atmosphere
• If you want events, this isn’t the place for you, but we haven’t missed it at all

Happy Hour/Specials

Pros

• Every day is a different beer on special
• A different food item is on special every day
• Longer happy hour, 4 to 7
• $3 burgers on Wednesdays
• Half-priced wings on Thursdays
• Kinds under 12 eat free on Sundays (with purchase of adult food)

Food

Pros

• Delicious
• Specialty burgers are all unique
• Creative toppings
• Tots and fries are really good
• The wings are a new additiona but very delicious
• Pork belly sliders MAY be the best thing Musselman has put in his mouth
• Custom sauces are amazing

Cons

• No more fried pickles
• Certain menu items are rotational (like the cheesesteak)

Overall

Front awning

Overall, we all think that Vivify is a great bar, when the weather is nice. The rooftop bar is really what brings you there, and if you can’t get up to the rooftop, then we don’t really consider heading there.

• Mussleman – 9 (This place is in my regular rotation)
• Reggie – 7.5 (it’s great in the right atmosphere)
• Mike – 7.3
• Johnny – 7.5
• Crist – 8

Overall – 7.86 beers out of 10