La Petite Mort

This intimate, seedy theater-turned-tearoom attracts freaks, misfits, and jaded art students. Its location in a sketchy part of Richmond tends to deter “normies” who might otherwise ruin the vibe, particularly at night. Situated literally underground (sturdy), its aesthetic is “faded glamour” with tarnished brass fixtures, nicotine-stained frescoes, and moth-eaten draperies that hint at better days.

Only the most fringe or desperate acts perform here now, drawn by its reputation for controversial, avant garde performances (venue); indeed, it is considered something of a badge of honor to have one’s show picketed by the city's prudish busybodies. On select weekends it hosts showings of cult films, and sometimes it is closed to the public for “private events” (isolated).