Train Ride or Drive To Virginia Distilled: Cocktail Contest & Spirit Tasting

**PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place in Richmond, Virginia**

Virginia Distilled is an evening full of ways to celebrate Virginia Spirits Month and the more than 80 craft distilleries across the Commonwealth!
Sample local craft spirits from up to 15 distilleries! including:

• Catoctin Creek Distillery
• Chesapeake Bay Distillery
• Five Mile Mountain Distillery
• Ironclad Distillery
• Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery
• Reservoir Distillery
• Virago Spirits
• Virginia Distillery Company
• and more!

Live music will be provided by Weldon Hill Trio and food will be available for purchase from some of Richmond’s best food trucks.
Beyond tasting some of Virginia’s best craft spirits, guests can also taste and vote on cocktail creations from the final five contestants of the 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games and help us crown Virginia’s 2025 Cocktail of the Year.
Educational sessions will be presented by three local spirits experts throughout the evening.
VIP guests will have access to the event one hour before General Admission ticket holders and entrance to the VIP Lounge with scrumptious appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages.
All guests will receive a tasting glass and access to the tasting tent as well as after-hours access to museum galleries including the newest exhibitions, Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation and Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865.
Pricing:
Early Bird Ticket Pricing (July 25 - August 21)

• VIP Tickets - $85
• VMHC Members - $50
• Non-Members - $55

Regular Ticket Pricing (August 22 - September 13 or when tickets sell out)

• VIP Tickets - $90
• VMHC Members - $55
• Non-Members - $60

Designated Driver - $12
Attendees must be 21 years of age or older and all guests must have a ticket.
No coolers, pets, or outside food or drink are permitted. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas.

Event will take place rain or shine.

PURCHASE TICKETS FROM THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE: https://secure.virginiahistory.org/4199

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ANDRAE'S TRAVEL INFORMATION:

I'm catching Amtrak from Newport News to Richmond

• TRAIN 194: Newport News, VA to Richmond, VA - Main Street Station
• Depart 8:36 AM, Saturday, September 13, 2025

If you live on the Southside, you can catch a bus from the Downtown Norfolk Train Station to the Newport News station.

I'm staying at:

• Richmond Marriott
  Address: 500 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

I'm leaving Richmond the next day:

• TRAIN 65: Richmond, VA - Main Street Station to Newport News, VA
• Depart 9:34 AM, Sunday, September 14, 2025

If you don't want to ride the train, feel free to drive to Richmond.

I purchased the VIP Ticket. I went last year. The early access and small bites were worth it.

Below is our itinerary.

Attending the Popup Market and Festival of India events are optional. My goal was to add additional activities to our schedule to make the most of our day in Richmond.

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9/13 ITINERARY:

9:39 AM - Arrive in Richmond, Virginia
Take GRTC Pulse {public transportation/bus (free)} from the train station to hotel.

10:00 AM - Check-in Hotel (Richmond Marriott)
If you're hotel room is not ready when we arrive, you can stow your luggage at the first desk.

11:30 AM - Meet In Hotel Lobby/Take Ubers to Popup Market At The Diamond (3001 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard)
Description: Popup Market At The Diamond is a community market at the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ stadium, featuring local vendors, food, music.

1:00 PM - Depart Popup Market - Return to hotel

1:30 PM - Festival of India (Greater Richmond Convention Center - next door to our hotel)
Description: The Festival of India offers live cultural performances and a wide variety of freshly prepared Indian cuisine from local restaurants and families.

3:00 PM - Return to Hotel

4:30 PM - Depart hotel/Take Ubers to Virginia Museum of History and Culture for Virginia Distilled

5:00 PM - Entry Time for VIP

6:00 PM - Entry Time for General Admission
Individuals with General Admission can take a separate Uber/Lyft to the Museum.

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9/14 ITINERARY:

8:30 AM - Meet in the lobby / Depart hotel
Take GRTC Pulse {public transportation/bus (free)} from the hotel to the train station.