Best community theater 2013: Live Arts

Live Arts 123 Water St. SE 977-4177 livearts.org Runner-up: Four County Players 5256 Governor Barbour St. (Barboursville) (540) 832-5355 fourcp.org The idea of “community theater” too often conjures images of wannabe stars performing on hack-job sets. Unless, of course, you’re talking about our community. Here, we’re lucky enough to get legit productions with talented local […]

Best sports bar 2013: Boylan Heights

Boylan Heights 102 14th St. NW 984-5707 boylan-heights.com Runner-up: Citizen Burger Bar 212 E. Main St. 979-9944 citizenburgerbar.com In “The Simpsons,” it’s “Moe’s Tavern.” In “Cheers,” it was, well, Cheers. In Charlottesville, say readers, the best place to go where everyone knows your name to watch the game and grab a beer is Boylan Heights. […]

Best art gallery 2013: McGuffey Art Center

McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW 295-7973 mcguffeyartcenter.com Runner-up: Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE 977-7284 secondstreetgallery.com Three galleries comprise the McGuffey Art Center, the largest display space in the city. It’s there, in the 1916 school building, that visual artists, sculptors, photographers, and more converge for a veritable zoo of artistic talent. […]

Best music venue 2013: The Jefferson Theater

The Jefferson Theater 110 E. Main St. 245-4980 jeffersontheater.com Runner-up: nTelos Wireless Pavilion 700 E. Main St. 245-4910 thenteloswirelesspavilion.com The history of The Jefferson Theater starts with a bang and a whimper: In 1912, it was conceived as a “combination house,” doubling as a vaudeville and silent movie theater. These days, it’s pretty rare to […]

Best place for trivia 2013: Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom 1321 W. Main St. 972-9366 mellowmushroom.com Runner-up: Blue Mountain Brewery 9519 Critzers Shop Rd. (Afton) (540) 456-8020 bluemountainbrewery.com Did you know that zebras are technically black with white stripes? If you shaved one, it would be completely black. That’s the kind of thing you need to know if you’re going to succeed at […]

Best live DJ 2013: DJ Stroud

DJ Stroud djstroud.com Runner-up: Derek Tobler djtobler.com A little-known fact about DJ Stroud? In addition to his love of music, he’s also an avid surfer with a collection of about 15 surfboards and paddleboards. There’s an obvious connection between ocean waves and sound waves, so we’re not surprised his passion for both thrills lands him […]