Hey there!
The box is the kind of place where people new to Charlottesville instantly become regulars…
Let me explain:
Restaurants Charlottesville (RC) continues it’s investigation of the best and the rest of the surprisingly diverse Charlottesville restaurant scene with a look a little hole in the wall bar that just might pack the most fun per square inch out of anywhere…
Now RC has a strict standard of only reviewing the spots that we’ve visited several times.
(Because after all, even the best of restaurants have off moments and even the biggest dumps have their moments of greatness. But with a town that has as many options as we do, there’s no need for folks to settle. As in: we’ve done our research so you don’t have to.)
Here’s the rundown:
The Box is located on the downtown mall on 2nd street between Bluelight Grill and the CVS, built on the ashes of the iconic Atomic Burrito…
(109 2nd Street SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902. 434.970.2699.)
Much like Atomic, the owners of The Box, most notably Chas Webster, famous for his backwards fitted Cubs ball cap, get the significance of music events when it comes to drawing a crowd…
The booming noise emitted by the tiny Box location, which is about as big as the office I’m writing this post from, is what’s drawn thousands of Charlottesville natives like fireflies to a searchlight.
Otherwise you’d hardly even know that it even exists!
And yet as often as not the Box is packed so tight that there’s hardly anything else to do but dance and enjoy the music…
Heck, they even have the iconic Mr Miyagi stamped in color on the chalk board next to the “last call gong.”
Now normally in a restaurant review I’d have at least touched upon the food, but in this case I had to think back to remember what on earth it is that The Box serves!
That’s because Chas has so embraced the excitement generated by live musicians and DJs that probably the majority of his guests have done little more than drink, dance and enjoy…
The best of The Box is every Tuesday night when two local musicians, Tucker Rogers, Dave Matthews Band (DMB) archivist and local guitar legend, and singer/songwriter Travis Elliot, of the Travis Elliot Band, which used to open for DMB, come together nearly every week to instigate musical magic…
Here’s a video clip I recorded of Tucker and Travis:
(This video has over 3,700 views on YouTube.)
Tuesday nights aren’t the only time the Box is rocking. Most times Friday and Saturday are good.
Other nights can be hit or miss, depending on who stops by and who’s playing…
…But if you’re making the nightly rounds on the downtown mall, then it’s just silly not to poke your head in the door to see who’s there.
As far as the drinks and fare is concerned, the Box used to be famous for it’s noodle boxes…thus the name “the Box.”
…However, much like most of the other regulars, I couldn’t even tell you what they serve for food during the long afternoons leading up to when The Box turns into one of Charlottesville’s premier adult playgrounds.
The drinks are great. Chas serves up more shots per square foot than anybody in C-ville, guaranteed.
(Saki bombs are a big favorite if you want to fit in right away.)
The best tip I can give you when it comes to the Box is that if it’s rocking, stop on by…
…If not, keep on walking.
It’s all happening,
Mike Long
P.S. Next: Another Charlottesville Phoenix, this one built on the ashes of Orbitz and Espresso Corner: Boylan Heights, UVA’s hottest hot spot.
