Gate-side pints and burgers in Terminal 1
Cross Grain Brewhouse sits airside in Terminal 1, just past the main security checkpoint at Richmond (RIC). It runs from 5:00 a.m. to last departure every day, so you can get a 6:00 a.m. breakfast or a 9:30 p.m. beer before the final flights. It’s an American-style brewpub with a full bar, TVs on for major games, and table service plus bar seating.
Menu leans pub classic: think burgers, chicken tenders, flatbreads, and salads in the $12–$20 range, with appetizers like wings and fries usually under $12. Portions skew on the larger side for an airport sit-down spot, and you can usually get in and out in about 40 minutes if you tell the server your boarding time. Breakfast plates and breakfast sandwiches run from about $8–$15 during the morning rush.
Beer list centers on regional drafts plus a few national labels, with pints typically in the $7–$10 range and some higher-ABV options in the mix. If you’re not drinking alcohol, they pour standard sodas by the glass and basic drip coffee, so you can still use it as a sit-down spot at 5:30 a.m. while the rest of the concourse wakes up.
Food quality lines up with a solid airport chain: burgers usually come out medium-well by default, fries are hot and salty, and flatbreads work as a quick split for two people pre-boarding. Service pace varies with the bank of departures off the dozen or so nearby gates, so build a 45-minute cushion during the 4:00–7:00 p.m. window.
Tip: If your flight is boarding in under 30 minutes, grab a barstool, order a draft and one appetizer, and ask for the check as soon as the food drops so you can walk back to your gate in under five minutes.