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Virginia issues special events liquor license to The FirePit in Richmond

Virginia issues special events liquor license to The FirePit in Richmond

Rule Changes Richmond, VA local

New ABC approval at 1617 W Broad St, a building now home to a Christian events space

October 16th, 2026: Virginia ABC issues special events license to The FirePit

Overview

Updated Oct 21

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority issued a special events facility license to The FirePit at 1617 W Broad St in Richmond on October 16, 2026. The record is a single approval, one of several the venue would need before it can serve alcohol.

The address hosts Deep Passion, a faith-based events space offering Bible studies, prayer gatherings and revival meetings. Whether The FirePit replaces it, rebrands it or shares the building is not stated in the license record. Virginia law defines a special event as one sponsored by a nonprofit corporation or association and held for an athletic, charitable, civic, educational, political or religious purpose.

Why it matters

A special events liquor license at 1617 W Broad lets a new operator serve alcohol in a building now used for faith gatherings, signaling a possible shift in the space's use.

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Key Indicators

1
ABC license issued
Single special events facility license approved on October 16, 2026.
Special Events Facility
License type
Virginia license category for venues serving alcohol at scheduled events.

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Organizations Involved

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
State regulatory agency
Licensing authority; issued the October 16, 2026 approval

The Virginia ABC regulates alcohol sales and issues licenses for venues across the state.
DP
Deep Passion
Faith-based events space
Faith-based events space at 1617 W Broad St

Deep Passion hosts Bible studies, prayer gatherings and revival meetings at 1617 W Broad St.

Timeline

1 event Latest: October 16th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago

  1. Virginia ABC issues special events license to The FirePit

    Latest Licensing

    State regulator approves a special events facility license for 1617 W Broad St, Richmond.

Scenarios

1

The FirePit hosts its first ticketed alcohol service event

Likely Resolves by Apr 16, 2027

Discussed by: Virginia ABC licensee lookup and The FirePit's public channels

The FirePit begins operating as a venue, advertising dated events at 1617 W Broad St where alcohol is served under the special events license. This would confirm the new operator's use of the space alongside or instead of Deep Passion's programs.

2

License lapses without the venue serving alcohol

Possible Resolves by Oct 16, 2027

Discussed by: Virginia ABC licensee lookup

The FirePit never begins operations, and the license goes inactive or expires. The space would remain with Deep Passion or transition to a different use, with no alcohol service under this approval.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

1996

Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh (1996)

A decommissioned Catholic church, St. John the Baptist in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood, was converted into a brewery and restaurant. Brewing tanks replaced the altar, and the nave became a dining hall.

Then

The brewpub opened to steady local business and became a destination venue.

Now

It stood as a model for adaptive reuse of religious buildings into commercial hospitality spaces.

Why this matters now

1617 W Broad St, a building used for faith gatherings, now holds a license for a special events venue. The Pittsburgh example shows a familiar path for religious spaces becoming venues that serve alcohol.

Sources

(3)
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control MapQuest Virginia's Legislative Information System