Solo dining is having a moment in Virginia, with reservations for one up 13% year over year, per OpenTable data shared with Axios.

Why it matters: That growth might look like another sign of America's loneliness epidemic. But many solo diners say eating alone offers a chance to slow down and savor the small stuff, reports the Washington Post.

Zoom in: Richmonders are embracing tables for one, too.

• Metro Richmond solo dining increased by double digits year over year, OpenTable told Axios — the most granular local figure available.
• Virginia's solo diners are spending more, too, up 4% year over year.

Zoom out: Nationally, solo reservations jumped 23%, while average spending per solo diner rose 7% to $94 (versus $60 per person across all party sizes).

Sabrina's thought bubble: Consider this your sign to grab a book, find a bar, and embrace the trend at:

🍷 Jardin in the Fan: The wine bar's mortadella sandwich is one of the best I've ever had. Eat it at the bar where they make it or on the patio.

🌆 Blue Atlas in Fulton: Its rotating global menu comes with outdoor tables overlooking the city skyline. Reservations recommended.

🍣 Fighting Fish in Scott's Addition: Walk-ins are welcome at the bar, and the daily 5-6pm happy hour includes $5 classic sushi rolls and $5 tuna nachos.

⛵️ Latitude in Chesterfield: Bar seating at the Hull Street location overlooks Swift Creek Reservoir.

🍸 Lafayette Tavern in the Near West End: Last time I was there, a woman was reading a book at the bar and told me it was one of her favorite places to solo dine. Here's how to hack a reservation

👋 Karri here, also team always-sit-at-the bar. A few of my faves are Bamboo Cafe, Laura Lee's and Can Can Brasserie.

• You may belly-up solo, but you're leaving with some new friends.

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Google searches for "solo travel" hit a nationwide record high in 2026, including in metro Richmond, where searches peaked between May and June.

Why it matters: Solo travel is booming as more people embrace the freedom of going wherever they want, whenever they want — without waiting for someone else's PTO to line up.

By the numbers: In Hostelworld's recently released 2025 survey of over 3,300 solo travelers, 64% said freedom and spontaneity were among the best parts of traveling alone.

• But solo doesn't necessarily mean lonely: 58% said they wanted to meet new people, up from 43% in 2024.

Zoom out: The trend isn't just for 20-something backpackers.

• Tour operators like Collette are also seeing a growing demand from older travelers — particularly among women 50 and over.
• Some married couples are even happily taking trips without each other, per the New York Times.

Stunning stat: As solo trips go mainstream, they're also becoming a major business. The global market was worth an estimated $550 billion in 2025, per Grand View Research.

• It's estimated to grow to $1.6 trillion in 2033.

The bottom line: Book the trip.

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Five people were wounded in an early Saturday shooting outside Virginia State University dorms, including one student, prompting a now-lifted campus lockdown. (AP)

• One victim was in critical condition. The others had non-life-threatening injuries.
• Police arrested a 19-year-old found hiding in a campus closet but are still searching for other suspects.

👨‍⚖️ A federal judge declined to delay Virginia's new hemp rules, which took effect Saturday and ban sales of products containing more than 2 milligrams of THC per package. (Cardinal News)

🧾 Dominion Energy wants to raise the typical monthly electric bill by $3.46 to help pay for upgrades aimed at preventing outages, including stronger poles and underground power lines. (Times-Dispatch)

• This is separate from the 94-cent transmission surcharge expected to take effect Sept. 1.

🙌 The city adjusted the timing of a Forest Hill Avenue traffic light last week after Axios Richmond reported on the Stratford Hills construction bottleneck it created, Karri reports.

Americans now spend an average 35 minutes a day socializing, down from 45 minutes two decades ago, per new American Time Use Survey data.

• The drop is steepest among 15- to 24- year olds, who went from an hour a day to 35 minutes.

Yes, but: Richmonders keep finding reasons to get together, from free tiramisu meetups, a tipsy history club and adult summer camps to a smut book club, an RVA Baddies Walk Club and a pop-up bar that skips the alcohol.

• There's even a a club for those who love chicken wings that meets Tuesday nights (including tomorrow at Parlay at 7pm. Join the waitlist here).

Go deeper:

• How to get to know your neighbors
• How to make friends in Richmond

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People underestimate how fun it is to talk about something supposedly boring, even with someone they've never met, according to a new study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Why it matters: Richmonders love having strong opinions about mundane topics, so connecting with strangers here might be easier than you think.

So: If you find yourself flying solo around Richmond, try one of these conversation starters. In our experience, they get people talking:

⚡️ How much is your Dominion Energy bill?

🌈 What are your thoughts on Ukrop's rainbow cookies?

💩 Can you put a dog poop bag in someone else's trash can?

🐿️ Where can I find a squirrel-proof bird feeder that actually works?

⛽️ Is the new Carytown Kroger gas station in or next to the parking lot?