Check out 540 Social’s Rodeo Night event at their new location at 125 Main St., Blacksburg.
Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG – Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hat for a fun-filled night at 540 Social in Blacksburg.
Entertainment, food, drink and lots of fun is on the menu at 540 Social on Thursday, March 27, 2025, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The 540 Social Facebook page encourages all ages to attend, shifting to 21-years and older after 9 p.m. Dressing in your best western gear is encouraged and will certainly add to the experience, but not required.
The new establishment recently opened its new location at 125 Main St. in Blacksburg. Mitchell Tyler, co-owner of 540 Social, said they started as Blue Ridge Axe Throwing in 2021, but “wanted to come up with something more encompassing.”
Mitchell also said with ‘eatertainment’ being the new buzzword for what people are looking for in an outing experience, he thought about the Blacksburg scene.
“How do we separate ourselves from an already pretty saturated bar environment?”
So, the business moved around the corner, increasing their visibility to the public and their square footage size. The entertainment space went from 3,000 square feet to 9,000 square feet, offering the opportunity for more arcade games, plus pool tables, foosball, axe throwing, and of course, visitors.
The most recent anticipated event is Rodeo Night, highlighting the mechanical bull that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
“We are blessed with the space to do it,” Tyler said.
To provide safe space for a mechanical bull, a business needs a larger footprint. An inflatable skirt will also be set up around the perimeter of the bull to reduce the possibility of injury.
540 Social, was previously named Blue Ridge Axe Throwing in Blacksburg. Blue Ridge Axe Throwing continues to offer locations in Roanoke and in Harrisonburg.
“We are all the same company, but we are testing the new branding at the new location in Blacksburg,” Tyler said.
There is no admission to this Thursday’s rodeo night event. The purchase of any arcade game card will provide entrance to the venue. Previous events at the location have been successful with a Taylor Swift party night, dance club night, and 90’s and 2000’s throwback nights. Additional upcoming events can be viewed at 540 Social’s Facebook page.
“We love the town, the Hokies,” Tyler said. “We are in a really safe, modern space and take a lot of pride in it.”
Private, corporate, non-profit and local student organization groups have also held special events at the location. With an approximately 450-person capacity, 540 Social can provide ample space for most types of event.
