Richmond LGBTQ+ bar Papi's wins key vote in fight to reopen

State of play: Council members approved a permit allowing the Shockoe Slip spot to operate as a nightclub until 2am Fridays and Saturdays for 18 months.

• This type of permit is required for restaurants that serve alcohol and play music past midnight.
• But the 18-month clock doesn't start until owner Adrienne Londoño secures a new certificate of occupancy, which she tells Axios is the next hurdle and "could take a month or less."

Catch up quick: Papi's opened in 2022 as a Latin-inspired bar built around drag shows, the same year Richmond began ramping up nightclub enforcement after "associated homicides," per a city spokesperson.

• Londoño closed it in January after inspectors cited Papi's for code issues and the lack of a nightclub license, which has taken months to secure.

What's next: "Our plan is to open as soon as possible," Londoño said.

• But for that to happen, the city has to approve the certificate of occupancy so Londoño can then apply for a beer and wine license.
• Papi's can't pursue a liquor license until July 2026, after the state revoked it for failing to meet food-sale rules.

Go deeper: Richmond LGBTQ+ bar Papi's fights to reopen after city "raid"