Tucked away in an unassuming corner on Elliewood Avenue, Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar has consistently provided tasty, affordable eats, friendly service and a welcoming space to gather for University students and Charlottesville residents alike.
Before evolving into a beloved University bar, the original Crozet Pizza storefront opened in 1977 in Crozet, Va. Embodying the epitome of a family-run pizza joint, Bob and Karen Crum opened the flagship pizzeria with the intention of kneading love into each and every handmade pie. They did exactly that — Crozet Pizza was even named the “best pizza in the world” by National Geographic.
Given that the original storefront is nearly 30 minutes away from Grounds — and many students often traveled the near-15-mile distance for the pizza — the Crum family began to look into opening a satellite location.
Serendipitously, just as they were looking to expand, the lease on Buddhist Biker Bar — a popular Corner bar for University students for nearly 30 years — opened up. The Crums infiltrated the space and rechristened it as Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar, merging the legacy of two legendary Virginia businesses. Opening in 2014, this secondary location proved successful by fusing a beloved nightlife space with the top-quality pizza so many students demanded.
The restaurant opens at 3 p.m. every day of the week — aside from Mondays, when they are closed. Crozet Pizza closes at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and midnight on Tuesdays in order to accommodate the popular mid-week bar surge. While they are open until 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, according to Nava Mehrpour, Crozet Pizza employee since 2024 and a fourth-year College student, this bar does not typically attract massive hordes of rowdy undergraduate partiers.
Mehrpour explained how an average weekend night at Crozet Pizza attracts locals, graduate students and other of-age individuals, providing a relaxing alternative to other busy bars nearby.
“I think the aspect that people like about [Crozet Pizza] is that it is a quieter bar, [with] a [chill] vibe,” Mehrpour said. “You can just sit in a booth and have a pizza and hang out with your friends, and you don't have to see everybody you've ever known.”
Mehrpour explained how this more laid-back ambiance allows returning customers and staff alike to build meaningful relationships over an excellent culinary experience and comfortable atmosphere.
“Everybody trusts each other, and it's a really positive work environment,” Mehrpour said. “[Employees] always want to come back. And I feel like that shines through. When people come and eat and drink there, they tend to pick up on [that]. If they see that we are happy being at work, then they [will] also probably enjoy their experience there.”
This uplifting environment allows for staff to foster innovative ideas to engage its patrons, including an array of intentionally crafted theme nights. From theme parties with local bands to trivia nights and drag shows, Crozet Pizza’s programming offers a little slice of something for everyone.
Every Tuesday evening, under the leadership of Alex Kerr, 2nd Street Trivia host and fourth-year Engineering student, trivia nights fill the bar with the University’s best and brightest quizzical competitors — or at least the most dedicated.
The game runs for five rounds, with two rounds of general knowledge trivia followed by three themed rounds. The content of the themed rounds drastically varies — from the latest Gen Z brainrot to popular music among divorced dads. When it comes to Tuesday at Crozet Pizza, there are no bounds to one's niche areas of knowledge.
Kerr said he selects his themed categories with extreme precision and a genuine care for the opinion of his audience. By allowing participants to suggest themes for upcoming trivia nights and asking regular players to guest-host, Kerr said he makes this experience collaborative and engaging.
“One of the best parts about having done this for [five semesters] is that I’ve gotten very friendly with all the regular teams,” Kerr said. “I know most of them by name, and it's only fun for me to host if it's fun for people to play.”
Graduate Architecture student Corbin Poyer said that she has found her own sense of belonging and social niche on the competitive and victorious Range trivia team. Her team, consisting of other West Range room residents, is composed of unassuming pop culture reference experts, geographical factoid masters and horror movie connoisseurs. Crozet Pizza’s collaboration with 2nd Street Trivia has created a comfortable community for these students where, according to Poyer, their unique knowledge is celebrated, and they are encouraged to build each other up.
“It definitely has impacted our relationships positively,” Poyer said. “[By] bringing in a bunch of classmates or extended friends, and then because we know [each other from trivia], [we] end up showing up to Range events … and really get included in more stuff.”
Between rounds, participants are encouraged to mingle with other teams, chat with their teammates and enjoy the atmosphere and food that Crozet Pizza has to offer. Players often enjoy the restaurant's $7 pizza deal in exchange for proof of a University ID. Many students of drinking age recommend the restaurant's signature drink, The Fresh Zen, which is a combination of Cruzan black cherry rum, a house-made sweet basil sour mix and a splash of seltzer water.
Beyond the quizzical opportunities of 2nd Street Trivia, Crozet Pizza hosts a plethora of events to create an inviting space for both University students and Charlottesvillians. One of the most notable events is Glozet, their semi-monthly evening drag show, with their most recent showing April 3.
By providing access to drag culture in Charlottesville, Glozet fosters celebration, visibility and community within the local queer scene. Mehrpour noted how through events like these, Crozet Pizza has created a space where all members of the University and the Charlottesville community feel welcomed and accepted.
“Especially with Glozet, I think that we have marketed ourselves as an establishment that is very welcoming to all populations at U.Va.,” Mehrpour said.
Beyond Glozet, Crozet Pizza also hosted a widely-attended “Heated Rivalry” night — inspired by the popular storyline of a secret romance between two male hockey players. This event entailed specialty drinks like The Rozanov, a double-shot Russian, a TV showing of fan favorite episodes and themed music to channel the energy of the hit series.
Maddie Garra, Crozet Pizza regular and fourth-year Architecture student, has found that this intentional programming resonates with her and reinforces her belief that Crozet Pizza is a place for anyone and everyone to be themselves.
“[Crozet Pizza is] speaking to an audience that none of the other bars around here really advertise towards and I think that's really awesome,” Garra said. “The vibe there [makes it] easier to be in that space.”
Employees agree that the healthy environment that the managers and owners have created has contributed greatly to the sense of belonging passed on to their patrons. The restaurant has recently undergone changes in ownership and management, with the new general manager being lifelong Charlottesville resident Brandon Shiflett.
Shiflett recalls growing up and hanging out on the Buddhist Biker Bar patio while live bands filled the air with music, families played games and college students shuffled in and out on any given Saturday. He said he hopes to build on the embracing energy he felt while growing up here.
“I want to keep everything the old school vibe. When we were younger, everybody would just party here because [it] was the biggest patio on the Corner,” Shiflett said. “So we want to throw bands and DJs, just parties for everybody.”
Looking forward, Shiflett and the rest of the Crozet Pizza team hope to cater more toward University students by bringing in additional live bands, extending their hours on Thursday nights past 10 p.m. and spreading the word about their diverse event calendar.
Beyond its trivia and themed nights, Crozet Pizza offers a comfortable alternative to the rambunctious weekend scene on University Avenue. Their emphasis on good food, good drinks and good people has created a space that people come to feel at home.
“I think it's just a homey vibe. And no matter what, you feel welcome,” Shiflett said. “We just feel like grandma's house … you're always welcomed with love and open arms.”
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