Black Iris · Richmond, Virginia

Your show.
Our space.

Backline, production details and hospitality for touring artists, promoters and teams preparing a show at Black Iris.

See the equipmentSend an event inquiry

321 West Broad Street · Richmond, VA 23220

Musicians performing on stage for a seated audience in the Black Iris art gallery

A show surrounded by art

Meet Black Iris.

An art gallery and social club in Richmond’s Arts District, with a performance stage, lounge spaces, full kitchen and speakeasy bar. Use this guide to plan an already-booked show or explore bringing an event to the space.

14 ft × 8 ftMain stage · width × depth
4 × 8 ftPermanently attached stage extension
12 × 12 ftApproximate upstairs green room

Sound engineer: request in advance

Black Iris does not have a dedicated house sound engineer. If your event needs an engineer, request one in advance using the form below. Availability and cost must be confirmed separately. If you are bringing your own engineer, please tell us.

Take a video walkthrough

Plan your show

The room at a glance.

The full gallery outline, including the wall step, openings and recessed entrance. A door beside the stage leads down the hallway to the bar.

Black Iris gallery and stage floor planSchematic based on the supplied room sketch and stage photo. Stage at the far end of the gallery, opposite the entrance. The main stage is fourteen feet wide and eight feet deep, with a centered eight-foot-wide, four-foot-deep permanent extension projecting into the room. A door beside the stage leads down the hallway to the bar. The sketch indicates an overall room length of approximately sixty-two feet. Audience arrangements vary by event; entrance-side merchandise and ticketing positions are indicative.Approx. 62 ft overall · from room sketchMAINSTAGE14 ft wide8 ft deepPermanent front extension8 ft wide × 4 ft deepGallery / audience areaSeated, standing or mixed arrangementsLayout agreed for each eventMerch areanear entranceTicket deskEntranceSCHEMATIC · NOT TO SCALEFurniture positions are indicative26 ft 10 in16 ft 10 inDoor to hallway → barBeside the stage

Based on the room sketch and stage photograph. Wall proportions and door positions are approximate. Confirm the final setup and access routes with our team; this diagram does not establish event capacity.

Production inventory

Stage, PA & backline.

For visiting artists and sound engineers: please send us a stage plot showing where your performers and equipment will go, plus an input list of the microphones and instrument connections your show needs. This helps our team prepare your setup.

Main stage
14 ft wide × 8 ft deep.
Stage extension
One 8-ft-wide × 4-ft-deep extension, permanently attached at the center front of the main stage.
Mixing console
Allen & Heath Qu-5D digital mixing console with Dante, located on stage. Tablet control is available by advance request. Bluetooth connection to the console is available with mono or stereo options. Manufacturer’s Qu-5 / Qu-5D overview.
PA speakers
Two QSC 12-inch speakers reported in the house inventory. Confirm exact models, routing and operational readiness for your show.
Monitor & subwoofer
Discuss monitor mixes and subwoofer requirements with our team when planning your show.
Microphones
5 Shure SM58 microphones. Please flag any additional or instrument-specific microphone needs.
Mic stands
6 microphone stands. Stand types and allocation confirmed with your input list.
Direct box
1 Radial ProDI passive direct box. Please specify which instrument needs the DI.
Cabling
Color-coded XLR cables and multiple XLR-to-¼-inch jack cables available. Specify cable lengths and connection needs when advancing your show.
Stools
Metal stools and adjustable stools available; quantities and preferred heights by arrangement.
Instruments & amplifiers
Drums, cymbals, guitar/bass amplifiers, keyboards and other instrument backline are not yet confirmed in the house inventory. Arrange anything your show requires in advance.

Equipment is a planning inventory, not a tested technical rider. Final equipment allocation, sound operation and any rentals must be agreed before the show.

Portable fixtures

Lighting & DJ setup.

Available lighting

  • Approximately 10 uplights.
  • Compact moving-head LED spot fixtures.
  • Round LED PAR/wash fixtures.
  • Linear LED wash bars.
  • Multi-lens moving DJ effect light.

Plan the look

These fixtures are portable and are not permanently installed. Confirm fixture counts, placement, mounting, control and an operator when advancing your show.

Folding metal DJ booth available, approximately 3 ft high × 3 ft wide. Decks, mixer and playback equipment should be specified separately.

Artist & audience facilities

Beyond the stage.

Green room
Second floor, approximately 12 × 12 ft, with a locking door. Confirm access arrangements and any accessibility needs.
Kitchen & speakeasy
Full kitchen with a downloadable guest food menu below, plus a speakeasy bar with beer, wine and non-alcoholic choices. Agree service hours, artist meals and any hospitality allowance for your event.
Merchandise
Merch area near the entrance. 8-ft tables with black linens available; request your table allocation.
Ticket desk
Front-door ticket desk and chair available as needed. There is no dedicated box office or ticket booth.
Seating
90 sturdy black chairs available, described as having a 350-lb weight rating. This is a furniture count; event capacity depends on the approved layout.
Cocktail tables
Bistro/pub-height cocktail tables available; final quantity and layout confirmed during planning.
Stanchions
6 sets available for entry and queue organization.
Security & door staff
Security available at a quoted $25/hour; staffing quantity, billing basis and minimum hours confirmed for your event. Request door staff separately.

Stay nearby

Hotels near Black Iris.

Convenient downtown options for visiting artists and their teams. Walking distances below start at Black Iris, 321 West Broad Street.

Distances and walking times are approximate Google Maps route estimates. Check current directions and contact the hotel directly for reservations.

Full kitchen · Guest menu

Food for the evening.

Confirm kitchen hours, dietary needs and artist meal arrangements in advance.

Download Food Menu

The speakeasy bar

Beer, wine & alcohol-free options.

Selections and prices from our current bar menu. Availability and menus can change; confirm service for your event.

Draft beer & cider

Potter’s Farmhouse Dry Cider

$8

8.4%

Starr Hill “Roxanne” Raspberry Sour

$9

4.7%

Port City Downright Pilsner

$7.50

4.8%

Center of the Universe Brewski Lager

$8

5%

Triple Crossing Falcon Smash IPA

$9

7%

Coors Light

$5

4.2%

Midnight Brewery “Not My Job” Brown Ale

$8

5%

Guinness

$9

4.2%

Canned drinks

High Noon — assorted flavors

$7

4.5%

Coors Light

$5

4.2%

Wine

Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon

$12

Red

Conundrum Red Blend

$12

Red

Château de Fontenille Bordeaux

$14

Red

Mer Soleil Chardonnay

$11

White

Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé

$10

Rosé

Non-alcoholic

Guinness NA

$7

Ginger Beer

$4

Mocktails

$7

Mocktail with a non-alcoholic spirit

$10

Arkay vodka, Arkay whiskey, Pentire Adrift botanical spirit, or Caleño Dark & Spicy rum alternative.

Advance your show

Let’s settle the details before arrival.

Send your production needs

  • Artist name, show date, lineup and number of performers.
  • Stage plot, input list, monitor needs and rider link.
  • Your engineer’s contact, or a request for a sound engineer.
  • Instruments, amps, drums, playback and equipment you are bringing or need arranged.
  • Lighting requests and merchandise requirements.

Confirm with our team

  • Load-in entrance, parking, loading access and any stairs.
  • Arrival, setup, soundcheck, doors, set times, curfew and load-out.
  • Available power/circuits, stage height and overhead clearance.
  • Approved standing/seated capacity and accessible routes.
  • Ticketing, door staff, security, merch terms and settlement.
  • Green-room access, meals, dietary needs and bar service.

These are items to agree for your show; they are not confirmed services or booking terms.

Already booked or exploring a show

Tell us what you need.

Use the form below for an event inquiry or to advance an existing booking. Include your show date, artist details, technical needs and sound engineer request. Submitting this form does not reserve a date or change an existing agreement.

Jeff Palumbo · jeff@blackiris.club · (734) 652-1846
Event inquiries: events@blackiris.club