Jackson Ward is the Brooklyn of Richmond.
Jackson Ward named the Brooklyn of Richmond
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Jackson Ward the Brooklyn of Richmond.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Richmond's verdict went to Jackson Ward ahead of The Fan, Scott's Addition and Church Hill, which take the runner-up positions.
"Jackson Ward is our pick for the Brooklyn of Richmond, and the call was not close. This neighborhood was doing the thing long before anyone reached for comparisons: live music, galleries, iron-laced porches, and weekend energy that spills out onto the sidewalks. Richmonders are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Jackson Ward's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Richmond verdict: brooklynof.com/richmond
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/richmond
Runner-up neighborhoods: The Fan, Scott's Addition, Church Hill
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.