Kardinal Hall

No. Just no. First I waited in line to get a beer. Then I had to wait in yet another line to get food. Then when the food came no waiter came back to check so when I needed something else I had to wait in like AGAIN. LONG lines at that. Their idea of «communal eating and drinking» does nothing but save them a buck and ruin my night out, which i dont get very often. Won’t be going back. OH and don’t order the overpriced cheese plate. You get 3 slices of cheese, one being bleu cheese, and like 3 slices of baguette. Ridiculous.

Great spot! Great Beer! Outside seating is wonderful!

I was concerned at first I wouldn’t like it b/​c, to be honest, it seemed a little (a lot) hipster and I’m the anti-​hipster. But the bartenders are very helpful and nice. The beer list is great… good range of German, multi-​state micro-​brew, and local representation. Beer prices were reasonable. I believe I paid $ 8.50 for a litre of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. A litre! The burger was pretty tasty. Nothing to write home about but very good. The Belgian fries were perfect. I forget what my wife got but she loved it (some kind of sausage dish). So go, try, talk to the folk there, and enjoy. If nothing else, get a litre of beer. I mean, who doesn’t like litres of really good beer!!!

Had a private event for a group last Thursday. Everyone really enjoyed the space and food. We got the cheese platter and charcuterie platter. The food was authentically German and great for a large group. The drinks were well priced and the beer selection was awesome. Malcolm, the manager, did a great job taking care of our group. Unfortunately, it was too cold for bocce so we’ll have to come back in the spring.
Overall, great experience, great place for group events.

After hearing quite a bit about KH, I came here on a Tuesday night with friends. I was pleasantly surprised by how large this place was! KH did a great job of utilizing the large airy space for a warm environment with ample seating, a sizable elongated bar, a cool back room, and a wall of windows throughout the entire place. I’d have to say that this would be a great venue for a mid to large event since there was a lot of fluidity and charm in the layout.
My group only ordered beers, ciders, and an appetizer, so I can’t entirely speak on the entrees. However, I will say the cider options were good and my friends enjoyed their beers. I’ll have to try their food the next time I come in.
The hostess was friendly as were the bartenders that night. Additionally, we had a chance to talk with our server and the managers who were all really nice and enthusiastic about KH. They also informed us that the night we were in was also the same night the cofounder of Chickapig (local Cville board game) was coming by and teaching people how to play. So that was a pretty happy coincidence since we’re all a bunch of game nerds. All in all, we had a blast hanging out on what turned into a pretty hoppin’ Tuesday night. The place was packed and it made for a lively atmosphere especially after a weekend of Snowmageddon!

Needed to decompress on a warm December evening so I grabbed a book and went for a beer and a snack at this new brew house.
Went inside and when greeted I was instructed that there is a food order stand and the bar. Headed to the food order stand to get my snack but the line was long so I turned to the bar first– if you have to stand in line, stand with a beer in hand. I went to the bar and checked out their selection. Good selection of drafts, from light lagers to darker IPA’s and wheat beer — the word authentic was used generously in the beer descriptions. I will have to authenticate the beers authenticity through future visits as the beers come in large glasses and one can only drink and taste so much beer each visit here.
While at the bar I got. My beer, sorry I don’t remember what I ordered, but it was solid. I then mentioned to the bar tender What was good food that comes out quick. He said the bratwurst. I said thanks and he asked if I wanted him to put in an order for me. I said sure, but don’t I have to go to the food stand to order — nope. So he put I. My order, gave me my order table number and I went outside to read and relax with my beer.
Outside was spacious and well lit. Kid friendly as one end of the outdoor space had a kids play area where several kids were making use of the toys. At the same time a middle age group was playing bocce, imbibing, and trash talking. This awakened a concern as one of the overly sauces and competitive men yelled out, filling the beer garden with his slur, «you douchebag». Just not appropriate in a family environment. So, aside from the cautionary tale of drunks with loud mouths throwing 10 pound balls around you, I highly recommend the beer, the food (bratwurst was excellent, not sold on the bun though.) and a true beer garden experience of shares tables and a very relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Ps: for those that must drink and watch — tv’s on the inside for your sports viewing pleasure.

It’s a great concept, but it’s way too loud. The beer is great, and the food is good pub food, but I think people will tire of the lack of table service over time. Servers are rushing to bring food to tables, and people are wandering around getting beer and food, so it’s a bit of a cluster. I think it will be a great place to hang out in the summer, when the patio is open and the noise level is a little lower.

We visited opening week and really enjoyed the modern beer hall vibe (décor, food, and drink) as well as game offerings. There fare can mostly be described as German with a twist. We got the «kasekrainer» sausage, «das boot» schnitzelwhich, waffle iron mac n’ cheese, and cheese curd poutine, the latter two of which are absolute MUSTS — so yummy. Can you tell we were hungry?! They also have an extensive draft beer selection, which makes sense since it is owned by the same people that own Beer Run.
Seating is picnic-​style and community tables which are conducive to playing the many table games that they offer. We played Jenga while we waited for our food and then headed out to their huge biergarten-​esque patio for some legit Bocce ball after we ate. Outside they have two permanent courts, tons of seating, and heat lamps for year round use!
The service is a problem as other reviewers have mentioned, in that it is self-​serve and all-​around a bit chaotic. I generally prefer the self-​serve style (go to bar for drinks, register for food, seat yourself, etc.) to having a server, and it works for them in all aspects except for the food. The line can be long and slow and moreover it cuts right through the main seating area, making it difficult to get in and out whether you are in line or seated. Another detractor is that the restaurant is not near much else so you likely won’t be walking to it or bar hopping after.

Really beautiful space, food is locally sourced & fantastic. Two bocce courts, ping pong & lots of games. Beer hall service, so order from bar for drinks, food station for food. Open seating. Staff is exceedingly friendly. Lots of European & craft beers, as well as wine & cocktails. Well worth a visit!

Still giving it 4 stars, but would not recommend going on Friday or Saturday nights at this point if you’re a family/​looking to chill as my previous review indicated this place was good for. Lots of drunk bros and long lines on the weekends.
For the upsides on slower nights/​afternoons, please do read my first review.

Kardinal Hall is the latest addition to the beer scene in Charlottesville. It is brought to us by the owner of Beer Run and features some great beers. They have huge seating areas both inside and out. If you choose to sit outside, you can also enjoy a bocce ball court, which I think is the first of its kind in Cville. If you choose to sit inside, there is plenty of seating, TVs, and a ping pong table.
The place is designed for you to walk up to the bar to order drinks, and they have a separate register for food. On my last visit, I heard an older gentleman talking about how he goes out to enjoy being served. If you share his sentiments, go elsewhere. The first time we went to Kardinal Hall was in the afternoon the first Saturday they were open. The place wasn’t packed, we were able to walk right up to the bar to order beers. They have very reasonable prices for liters. They were out of a ton of items on their food menu due to the crowded opening the night before, but we were able to get a freshly baked pretzel. A friend of ours got a burger and said it was decent too. We really enjoyed our first visit there and said we’d be sure to return.
We went again last Friday night around 9 p.m. The place was pretty mobbed, and it took about 20 minutes to get a beer because they only had two bartenders working. That was pretty annoying, but we expected that with it being a crowded Saturday night. We ordered food, and we were starving! We found a recently vacated table outside and sat down with our number. The previous people had left behind a bunch of glasses, and a diaper, and someone only came around after about an hour to clear those things off of the table. After waiting for about 45 minutes for our food, I finally asked a guy running food about how long ticket times were running, and he said about 45 minutes. We let another 15 minutes pass before I go back up to the counter to ask about our food. About five minutes later, our food finally makes it to our table. It was literally ice cold. The poutine we ordered was a cold ball of cheese, fries, and gravy. My portobello burger bun was totally soggy and freezing, and the Ditka that my boyfriend ordered fared the same.
I have never ever been served food that was cold any where. It is totally unacceptable, and there is no way that the person who brought out our food couldn’t have known that it was in that condition. The person dropped off our food, and no one else came back to check on it, so unless we were to walk it back inside, there was no one to talk to too. We ended up eating it because we were so hungry at that point. It was 100% awful. After our first visit here, I was incredibly disappointed. I don’t think I’d order food there again unless the place was dead.
Kardinal Hall has so much potential, but it isn’t being executed very well.

Reviewing for the beer/​atmosphere — not the food situation! (Which, as previous reviewers mentioned, needs to be fixed… that line gets LONG! and I’ve never had the patience to wait :)
Anyways, the atmosphere at Kardinal Hall is fun! Both times I’ve been, it hasn’t been insanely crowded so I haven’t had to wait much to get served at the bar — perhaps the initial rush is over… It does indeed get quite loud inside, but don’t most beer halls get quite loud inside? The outside area is also really nice with lots of seating.
Now for beer, the tap selection was decent with ~8 international beers, ~8 domestic, and ~8 local/​collaborations. They also have a number of cans and bottles that I didn’t even begin to look at. For non-​beer drinkers, there’s also cider, wine and mixed drinks.
As a side note, Marcus who works at Kardinal Hall is awesome! He helped take care of a broken glass situation and was a pleasure to talk to in the process, so kudos to Marcus!
In sum, I think KH still has some kinks to work out but will ultimately be a staple.

I’m giving KH 4 stars for potential, but when we went about 2 weeks ago the visit was really 3 stars. I realize they could have resolved some of these issues by now too… so I’m being nice. Note we went at 6pm on a Saturday and it was packed as it had just opened.
Let’s talk positives. Number 1 is the atmosphere. This place is fantastic. A giant beer hall, TVs on the wall, bocce ball courts and picnic tables outs. Number 2, the food. You order at a separate food kiosk and the service was quite quick. Somehow they find you in the massive space and bring you your German fare. The menu is a good size but not huge, but they include vegetarian options and things to share, so you should be set. Number 3, the beer selection is nice. It’s quite different from the original Beer Run location with homage to the German-​style beers. I also loved the local collaboration beers you don’t usually see on tap.
Now time for things to fix. First, is the beer ordering method. Wow, what a failure. They tell you to go to the black bar mats, but then they don’t follow their own guidelines and serve whomever they want. So, the wait for beer can take forever. Second, they need to watch for underage and drunk patrons. While we were there I saw several of each, and this could be dangerous for everyone.
This will definitely be the new cool hangout spot, and I hope they can fix their issues.

This place was fun and the atmosphere is great. It took 10 min (@5pm) and then 20 min (@6pm) to get a couple of beers. Needed more than 2 bartenders… we would have stayed longer but we left because it was getting crowded and the wait was even longer…
The food was variable, great sausage and kids cheeseburger. The waffle Mac and cheese was bland (but no complaints from the 4 year old!). The fries were soggy…

This place is cool. Art Deco 30’s construction. Nice outdoor seating. Nice indoor venue. Good atmosphere. The line for food, the wait for food SUCKS! This place is new and obviously going through some growing pains, but they need to fix the food line quick or it will DIE. You stand in line for30 minutes to place an order.
Suggestion: pare down the menu and drink selection to something you can handle. I see about 15 staff working their asses off and getting nothing done. A German beer hall has about 3 beers in the menu and about 8 entrees. Simplify and do it well.

Went to this place for a few drinks for a friend of my wife’s birthday, she ordered a drink for us and asked to close the bill off.
After waiting a few minutes for the bill she asked where her card was, barman yells rudely that he always places the card in the same place on the bar and then ignores us for 5 more minutes. We ask for the manager he says he will call the manager. We wait 5 minutes more then he tell us to go wait in the corner, 10 minutes later a manager comes by says nothing more than what is the name on the card. He wanders off looks on the floor for a minute then proceeds bar side and starts stacking glasses!!?
At this point we walked away and decided it’s time to start cancelling the card. 5 minutes later the manager comes with the card, turns out it was behind the bar where the cards are kept, nice! 25 minutes of stress later, no apology, drink on the house? Forget it! Don’t waste your time guys this place has had one drink from my wallet, no more! WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!

This is what Charlottesville needed. Enough said. Food, beer, ping pong, what more could you want?

Great spot that I think will be a really good time once the initial rush has worked itself out. This is going to be a great place to add to the Friday night crawl.
Really good food if you are into as proper German beer food, and a good selection of beers. I will be doing much quaffing here in future.
I love the fact that you go up and order at the bar and food counter and don’t have to wait 30 mins to get your bill as everything is already paid up.
Only problem is I kept getting hit my ping pong balls. A great idea in theory, but I would loose the ping pong table and get a couple more long benches.
All round good spot to have on the C’Ville map outside the Down Town Mall.

Awesome food great environment great selection of beer excellent selection of beer.
Try the streuddal with cinnamon ice cream
And a pretzel with either mustard or cheese

Excellent location and ample parking. My family and I enjoyed the food and the beer selection was plentiful. There were a couple of minor kinks which were to be expected but certain they will be worked out in the next few weeks. Looking forward to coming back.