By Hunt Brabrand

Born from the old location of a Burger Bach in Midlothian, new sports bar Game Plan is kicking off with a personality as apparent as its bright, bold “GP” logo. This newly established restaurant combines the expected high-energy environment of a sports bar with fresh, one-of-a-kind twists that keep its guests coming back for more memories. Housing multiple seating arrangements, including a movie-theater style experience, and a wide variety of American foods, Game Plan is certainly a special place to visit.

Game Plan’s interior.

At first, my family and I were upset with this new restaurant’s arrival. One of our favorite dining spots was Burger Bach, so upon the announcement of its closure, we felt a sense of loss. However, we decided to try out this new spot when Game Plan first opened. Our first reactions were shock. The previous New Zealand-inspired gastro pub had transformed completely into a vibrant American sports bar, but one unlike any we had seen before. Opposite the entrance is a platform that looked like it was taken from the rows of seats in  a cinema, with a massive, wall-sized screen facing it. We took our seats at a regular table in the middle of the room and ordered our food. Just then, a waiter asked if we’d like to participate in their game night game, “Singo.” ***

Singo, as we learned, is a form of bingo, but to fill in your spaces, you identify what song was playing. I distinctly remember the announcer describing the laid-back, good-times rules, ending his announcement with, “Singing along is not required but strongly encouraged.” That particular night’s Singo theme was “2010s pop,” which neither my dad, avid food enjoyer Jonathan Brabrand, nor I know much about, but we were able to fill in a decent amount of our cards. The taste of the food is what I distinctly remember after leaving that night. The fries were the best I’d tasted in a long time, and the burger I had alongside them was superb.

Chocolate and vanilla milkshakes.

Due to this exciting first impression of Game Plan, my dad and I soon decided to return. However, this time our goal was to obtain seats in the two rows of AMC-esque movie theater chairs. Earning our seats in the back row, which were lucky enough to be vacant when we arrived, we enjoyed the colossal screen in front of us as it showed an interesting mix of sports: tennis, golf, and football.

Split into windows of various sizes, these projections could be seen from anywhere in the restaurant. We found this blend of athletics surprisingly entertaining, as we were never left bored between the action in any of the three. The seating was incredibly comfortable, and the service was phenomenal as we became enthralled in the spectacle of sports before us.

Finally, I decided that I had to bring some of my friends to face this wonder of a dining experience. On a crowded Sunday night, my friends and I were lucky to find seating in a booth in the middle of the room, which was now densely filled with Halloween decorations. With our drinks, we decided to also order milkshakes. Jake Apelt (‘27) stated, “The milkshake has a really intense vanilla flavor, in a good way.” He was not the only one to be presently surprised by his dessert, with Avi Soin (‘27) commenting that, “the chocolate and milk really balance each other out. It had a delectable taste.” 

Burgers, fries, wings, and a Giant Pretzel.

After ordering a variety of meals, my friends and I happily devoured our food. Brandon Cryer (‘27) declared his fries delicious: “The seasoning is great, it has the perfect crust.” After a “long day of work” volunteering at the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue, Apelt said his GP Giant Pretzel was “very soft and a great comfort food.” Finally, Soin stated his wings had “a great sauce-to-meat ratio, and the ranch paired very well with both the Korean barbeque and the spicy cheddar.”

Overall, Game Plan Kitchen & Bar is a fantastic place to enjoy a night of excitement and food, whether it be singing along during Singo, watching a game, or catching up with your friends. The menu, as well as the restaurant itself, both surpassed all my initial expectations. If you are ever driving down Midlothian Turnpike and looking for a memorable and affordable dining experience, be sure to try Game Plan out.

Photos by Hunt Brabrand. Featured image logo courtesy of Game Plan Kitchen & Bar.