Spotlight on Common House

Common House has a little bit of everything. A playground for professionals, creatives and those tapped into their community, the multi-level social club that originated in Charlottesville most recently opened a location in Virginia’s capital city.  

The soul of Common House is rooted in conviviality. Founded by friends and Virginia natives Derek Sieg and Ben Pfinsgraff, the duo sought out to create a hub where people could gather, eat, escape and connect.  While the pandemic has certainly shifted things, the collective energy felt when individuals are working, relaxing and imbibing in a shared space, can be felt, regardless of social distancing.  

Whether you want to cozy up fireside in the lounge that gives off major “Clue” vibes, sip cocktails on the roof with panoramic view of the city, record a podcast with a coworker, catch a weekly jam session with local artists or dine at the seasonally driven Social Hall restaurant, Common House is truly your oyster.  

Nestled downtown, the Richmond location, or Common House No. 2, will soon also be home to Birdie’s, a Broad Street-facing oyster saloon and cafe, in addition to an underground wine cellar with hand-selected bottles from Virginia and around the world. 

Offering a menu focused on seasonality, Bryan McClure, Chef de Cuisine at Common House Richmond has been working with Cavalier Produce for the last seven years. 

“They have been such a great company to work with,” McClure says. “Over the years their product offerings have grown tremendously, and I love how many local products they have to offer -- not just produce, but meats and cheeses as well.” 

When visiting Common House, be sure to check out the 4-story mural up the stairs depicting plants and animals native to Virginia by Naomi McCavitt of Thickett Design. Also, stay tuned, Common House has its eyes set on a 2021 debut in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Written by our guest blogger Eileen Mellon