Common House

We held our welcome event the evening before our wedding with Common House Charlottesville, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Shannon, Dalton, and the venue itself. This duo were the most clear and communicative in the business, never missing a beat in the planning process. The value of the food/drink when hosting with them is unmatched, and we utilized the rooftop which was *chef’s kiss* even on a warm night in June. The service was impeccable and the light bites were delicious. Thank you so much for such a wonderful event, and accommodating all needs from easels to AC equipment, menus and signage!

Very welcoming place from the staff to the atmosphere, especially for someone who was on the road and meeting with local members

Common House is such a gem! We’ve been going to CH for dinner and events for the past year, and Brandi, Aaron and Will always take such great care of us. The space has a great ambience and beautiful design, and the food is delicious (especially the short rib!). We recently got married and had the ceremony in vinegar hall, reception on the second floor near the bar. Couldn’t have asked for a smoother event and fun evening! We had a blast.

10/12/21 Response to your response: The amount of $4500 was mentioned at the beginning and I was stating that it wasn’t clearly stated to us about all the extra charges. On top of that, adding an additional $1800 a few days before the wedding even though it wasn’t ever on the invoice. Secondly, I’ve tried to call and speak to someone about my review (as requested) 3 times in the past week and haven’t reached anyone. Next, I never said there weren’t any food covers, I said it was surprising that we had to request that. For the price of the food, it was crazy to us that food covers weren’t automatically given and there were no heaters. So if we wouldn’t have asked, food normally just sits out on a platter in the sun for hours. We ran out of food for the last hour, the only thing we had left was broccoli and squash. You were speaking to the mother of the bride about putting aside a plate for the bride and groom and after we got back from pictures to eat it, a server had thrown them away. And lastly, the guests that checked in at 6:54 did NOT stay downstairs until 7pm. They came up and had a drink on our tab! ORIGINAL REVIEW First and foremost, our wedding at the Common House was absolutely stunning and the spaces they offer are picture perfect. Madison was absolutely wonderful to work with. The reason this review is getting a 3/5 is due to several issues we ran into the day of our wedding. This is just a heads up to brides considering the Common House for their event. 1.) When we originally found Common House for our reception venue, we were quoted $4500 for 3 hours of rental space, food, and alcohol. It was never mentioned to us that appetizers and desserts were not included in that. After the small details that weren’t included, we spent around $7500 for the 3 hour event. To be completely honest, if the event were to be exactly what we asked for, the money wouldn’t have been an issue. 2.) 3-4 days before the big day, after contracts were already signed and payments were complete, I received a text message from the wedding coordinator saying I still owed another $1800 for the rental fee and they “forgot to add it to the original invoice” but they’ve added it now. After already paying $3000+ over what we were quoted, I was shocked to hear we still owed another $1800 and confused as to why it was just being brought up now. They decided last minute to waive that fee, thankfully. 3.) Food. This was a big one. When we met with our wedding coordinator, we told her we would have 59 people attending the wedding reception. She said their chef prepares enough food for 1.5 servings per person. Not even an hour into the food, there were 7-9 people (including the bride and groom) that had not eaten, and the food was completely out. It was also incredibly disappointing to pay what we did and run out, have to ask for food covers to keep bugs away, and have no heaters to keep it warm. After about 5 minutes of the food being outside, it was freezing cold. 4.) Alcohol Issue/Tips The alcohol package we received included rum, tequila, vodka, bourbon, and scotch (it’s even printed on the sign that was placed for guests at the bar) One of our guests walked up to the bar and requested a scotch drink and was denied and told that wasn’t available for us. Thankfully my mother stepped in and demanded it. On top of the scotch issue, Common House charged a service fee (tips for the servers of $1097.80) and the bartenders still placed a tip jar on the bar which we found extremely tacky. 5.) Lastly, our event was from 4pm-7pm, and at 6:54pm three guests that were not from our wedding came up and got drinks and hung out. I do understand that at 7pm, the space was now open to the public, but the staff could have been polite enough to let us have the full time and not have strangers with us the last few minutes of our event. Overall, i’m thrilled the pictures were amazing and guests had a great time, but for an almost $8000 3 hour event, it was sub-par service.

Chloe and her team were execptional while helping me plan and execute a proposal. Common House was very accomodating, made sure everyone had a good time, and communicated well.

We hosted a dinner to celebrate the graduation of a group of young men. The Common House did a phenomenal job. The food was absolutely out of this world as was the service and atmosphere. The planners (Shannon and Dalton) were amazing to work with. Responsive, communicative and kind. From start to finish it was great. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

My wife and I got married at Common House in August of 2022 and we can't say enough great things about Common House! From our initial walkthrough to the day of our wedding, Bailey, Madison, Megan, and the whole team went above and beyond to make our big day amazing. Many of our guests told us it was the coolest venue they've ever been to and they raved about how delicious the food was. If you are looking for a unique, fun venue for your wedding, check out Common House!

We wanted to extend our sincere thanks to Shannon, Dalton and your team at Common House for all you did to make Katie’s Bridal Luncheon so special. From the moment we arrived, your inviting atmosphere made everyone feel at home. Common House provided the ideal setting for our special gathering before the big day, allowing Katie and her bridal party to truly relax and enjoy themselves. The food was absolutely delicious (and beautifully presented), and the mimosa bar was not only pretty but such a lovely touch that everyone enjoyed. We especially appreciated how professional yet wonderfully personable your entire staff was. And a special shout-out to our bartender, who was incredibly engaging with our guests, which added to the warmth of the event. Thank you for your exceptional service and for creating such a personal and memorable event. We truly appreciate your hospitality and we wish Common House continued success!

I was a Common House member for about a year and a half. As you can see from my prior review, I initially really loved it based on the events and perks and I thought I would stay a member for a long time. However, this past year things really started going downhill. There has been a huge staff turnover, including several staff members who were really the life and soul of the place. Common House has not been able to keep a chef for more than a few months, which has lead to a lot of hit or miss dining experiences. The free coffee, which was a big perk during coworking days, is no more. There have also been several private events that caused full house closures to members. The final nail in the coffin for me was having my membership fee raised not once but twice over the course of a year. The first time ($25 increase) I was given ample notice. The second I was given no notice and just saw an additional $35 on my credit card. When I inquired about why my monthly membership fee had been increased I was given no response. With this, I decided my time at Common House has run its course and canceled my membership. This has seemed like the perfect "third space" for remote young professionals like myself, but it seems that in the last few months several others have had the same thoughts I had and decided to leave. It will always be a cool space, but the current management leaves a lot to be desired.

All I can say is WOW! My boyfriend and I are members of the Common House and Richmond. We've always wanted to visit another Common House and finally checked out the Charlottesville location on his birthday. When we entered we were warmly welcomed and given an orientation. We learned that this location has more service than the one we're familiar with. They'll fill your water for you vs self service. There are two floors to work on and a rooftop. We chose to work in the kitchen space on the second floor. The design and decor here is gorgeous. I found myself wishing I could take some of the artwork home. Just like our Common House back in Richmond, they offer member events. They sounded so fun I considered driving back to Cville just to experience them. While we were there, we ordered some food. The food we got was beyond delicious. I'd argue even better than the RVA food. The menus vary based on location. I got a delicious miso salmon bowl. My body was craving something like it and I was thrilled when I found out how delicious it tasted. My boyfriend got a grilled cheese and loved each bite. When you're a member you usually get a $25 credit for your birthday (which we used towards lunch), however this location went above and beyond and brought Richard a complimentary chocolate cheesecake without blinking twice. The service and food here are immaculate. I cannot wait to return.

*PSA* The Common House kitchen is open to the public for carryout orders during Virginia's COVID-19 stay-at-home orders! For under $40 we got a burger, mushroom pappardelle, beet salad, and Mac and cheese--and they even threw in a surprise apple pie on the house! Winners by far were the mushroom pappardelle (they make delicious homemade pasta in-house!) and Mac and cheese! All food was still hot and fresh by the time we got it home, and most (if not all) meat and produce were locally grown and raised! Thanks to all the chefs and staff at Common House for working through these tough times and for making it such a seamless curbside pick-up process. We hope to order again soon!

What treat! This amenity was part of our hotel package around the corner from The Townsman Hotel. We decided to check it out before heading to dinner. Exceptionally nice and pleasant people and bartenders! This cocktail was called "Sweet Bitter". It had tequila,Montenegro Amaro, Grapefruit, Lime and (my favorite as of late) Egg White. $11. Fiance had a Ketel One up with olives (imported, very nice touch). Tax & gratuity already built in. Delicious drink. Atmosphere: like we were in one of our friends homes that hit the Lotto. Couches very comfy. We steered away from one black chair because the cushion was so deep and compressed, there is no way you would be able to lift yourself. Nice fire going too. Cool spot; really enjoyed coming here.

Great location, amazing vibe and rooftop bar- what's not to like..... Considering this as a work location and for events....

We had a lovely first time visiting Common House. The servers were kind, food was great, and the ambiance was delightful. Thank you for a wonderful evening out!

The food was very nice. We had a table of 5 and so we got a nice mix of items from the menu. Service was quite poor! The dining room had few tables but we had about 40 minutes between appetizer plates being picked up and dinner arriving. Wait staff was standing around chatting for 20 minutes 15 feet from table after we signed the check. With their backs to us we couldn't get their attention. For a private club I would have imagined better service even for the casual atmosphere that they project in the decor. Love the space! Liked the food! The service fell flat!

Several days ago I had drinks at Common House. The location is unique and the vibe is casual yet upscale. Definitely a great place for working professionals looking to unwind in the afternoons or hang out in the evenings.

I come to Common House about 4-5 times a week, mainly to use it as a co-working space. But they also have great breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus with brunch menus on the weekend. They occasionally rotate some of the items on their menu, but most dishes you order are great quality and cooked to perfection. For me, the portions are kind of small at times, but that's a bit to be expected. They also have a full bar as well as an espresso bar, where you can order Mudhouse-roasted drinks. The employees are great and super friendly. They're quick to serve, and always make sure that you have everything that you need and want. I haven't been to many of the programmed events, but the ones that I have been to have been a great opportunity to meet and get to know other people in Charlottesville. I would highly recommend getting a membership here!

***Food/Dining specific review*** I have already reviewed CH itself, and have no changes regarding the overall club, ambiance, aesthetics, etc. (all great) so this review will focus entirely upon the food and dining experiences I have had. Service: Five stars for service. All servers, bartenders, managers, front desk staff, etc. are always polite, attentive, and generally wonderful (Marisa - you were a delight, thank you!). We appreciate what you do. Food: Ooffffff...where to begin? Let's begin with one star, shall we? Let me tell you the many reasons why. First, keep in mind that this is a social club - gather with friends or colleagues and have a relaxing, fairly casual meal. One would think there would be items that could be shared, but not a cheeseboard, charcuterie plate, snack item in sight (heck, nachos even, come on, something). Instead, diners are left with overly fancy, overthought dishes that aim to impress but fall incredibly flat. The $16 fried oyster appetizer appeared with three (!) measly, small oysters. Not much to share there, much less enjoy by oneself. Of the three burgers that were ordered at one meal, not a single one was cooked as ordered (and all were quite small, with dry, too-firm meat). Each was overcooked. Fries? Hey you could actually sort of share those...if they were cooked well. Instead, the fries were likely once-cooked, limp, and mushy (three orders all like this). Ok fine, let's try something else. Caccio e pepe! Overall, this was the best(ish) thing ordered. But, sadly, there's a catch. Served with black truffle for added fanciness of course, one could not taste any of the bland (stale?) truffle. The pasta was nicely al dente, however, and the creamy sauce fairly tasty. The kicker though was that, for $21 (their website says $21, so I'll go with that, but I believe it was $22 in person) you are served a laughably child's size portion. Pasta is cheap, no need to skimp. Overall, diners can quickly realize the kitchen is trying to make dishes feel as fancy and impressive as possible, but obviously cutting every corner possible to save money. With member dues coming in and a new club location opening, you wouldn't think CH would take this tack. Members do not pay any discounted rates for drinks or food (not even close), so one would think that the kitchen would do their best to provide...the best. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near the case. If you're looking for a quality meal downtown, pick literally anywhere else. You'll get more for your money, in taste, quality, and quantity. Please CH, just present diners with simple, quality dishes, in normal adult-sized portions. If you're looking for money-makers...shared plates! There are so many good options for "snack" dishes that would easily up the ticket amounts each time members visit to have cocktails. Think of all of the options for snacks to be shared on the rooftop this summer.

Spent 4th of July celebration twice at Common House. A private club, in which members can also bring guests along with them. I was attending a private event: a painting and the color purple lesson. It was a really informative class. The organizer mostly help the attendee. We had an opportunity to check out the club house, i did my tour when i came for 4th of July. The club house itself held popup street food every Sunday benefiting good cause.

Would have been helpful if they wrote on the website that the restaurant is for members only... to spare us the trip and trouble