15 Best Bars in Virginia Beach

15 Best Bars in Virginia Beach

A popular resort city, Virginia Beach is primarily suburban and the largest city in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Many people visit Virginia Beach all year long to explore the city’s rich history, entertainment and culture. Virginia Beach boasts a lively bar scene, from sports bars to brewpubs and nightclubs. As expected it is livelier in the warmer months, but you can enjoy the bar scene all year round. At the oceanfront, there is no need to look far for a bar because every hotel and restaurant has a bar or lounge and many of them change their atmosphere throughout the day according to their target audience. There are also many watering holes inland where you can go and have the time of your life without having to deal with the crowds that the beach may have to offer. The coastal city of Virginia Beach is a known revelers’ playground, you are allowed to look around so as not to get yourself stuck in one location.  There are plenty of bars to explore all over Virginia Beach. Be sure to bar hop in these 15 best bars in Virginia Beach. 

 

Best Bars on the Oceanfront

The Shack

The Shack offers among its drinks good beer, delicious fresh juices and great lemonade. It is a green space on the Southend of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront where locals gather for a good time outdoors. Moreover, its Virginia Beach’s first community-driven all-outdoor restaurant built on the foundation of sustainability.  Your visit to the VB oceanfront is not complete without enjoying the official Virginia Beach drink, The Orange Crush prepared with Waterman’s Surfside Grille recipe.  The Shack has its own restaurant, as well as The Food Shack a double-decker bus-turned-kitchen run by Get Stuffed VB.  From the two kitchens, there’s surely something for everyone such as salads, sandwiches, fresh seafood, steak, tacos, burritos, sliders and more. The fun never ends here to try your hand at the lawn games such as corn hole, Bocce, jumbo Jenga, Connect 4, bucket pong or ping pong spread out throughout the space, they are all free for your leisure.  What’s more? being one block from the beach makes it a  perfect place to get away.

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Practical Information

Address: 712 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-319-5146

Hours: Mon-Thu: 4 pm to 10 pm                      Fri: 4 pm to Midnight         Sat: Noon to Midnight       Sun: Noon to 10 pm 

Order: toasttab.com

Chemistry

Chemistry is a welcoming place at the oceanfront as they cater to people from all walks of life both locals and tourists. It’s not very big and gets pretty cramped at night when it becomes more of a club scene. It’s a casual spot that is usually free to get in which is cool, isn’t it? The warm atmosphere of Chemistry makes guests feel relaxed and feel free to have a nice time. The staff is energetic and caters for their clients needs. If you want a great place to go for drinks and amazing music this is the place to go! You are guaranteed an amazing time and you will meet amazing new people all the time. Serving food all night while maintaining a fully stocked bar and playing just about every genre of music. Chemistry is one hot local spot to check out at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach! If hookah is your thing you will get it here.

Address: 2114 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-349-7301

Hours:  Mon-Sun: 6 pm to 2 am

Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill

The Bar is famous for fresh, healthy food and cool cocktails. Drop in for pressed juices, power bowls, generous salads and regional elements put a spin on American fare. Tulu’s inventive and modern bar features an extensive wine list, Virginia craft beers, and signature cocktails from Virginia Beach’s own Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. Tulu is a fresh and healthy alternative to Oceanfront dining any time of day where you can also get breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night bites from the vibrant, chef-driven cuisine. With your friends, you can share plates of seared tuna, grilled prawns and crab cakes enhancing your good times. At this bar, visitors can also have delicious chocolate lava cakes, chocolate cakes and bread pudding. Ensure you try their margaritas, gin or martinis.  Right on the beach Tulu’s Seaside Bar & Grill includes an eye-catching patio and the best ocean views on the East Coast.

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Practical Information

Address: 4201 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-937-4252

Hours: Sun-Thu: 7 am to 10 pm                 Fri-Sat: 7 am to 11 pm

Reservations: opentable.com

 

Bars you will Most Likely Bump into Navy Seals

In Virginia Beach bumping into a Navy SEAL should be easy. This is where hundreds of America’s most elite warriors are based. This is where their heroic exploits are celebrated and retold, especially since a team of Navy SEALs neutralised Osama bin Laden in a bold raid on the al-Qaeda mastermind’s Pakistani hideout. Here are some of the pubs in which you can toast a drink with a modern-day warrior if lucky.

Hot Tuna

Hot Tuna is a seafood-focused eatery with an eclectic menu & lively bar scene fueled by colourful DJ music. Hot Tuna is also a member of the Farm-to-Fork Movement with a menu that features what is fresh, in-season and local. This establishment is among only a handful of restaurants that can offer a fantastic dining experience as well as provide you with some of the best entertainment around. Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday night you will be treated to live music, an open-air deck, prolific DJs and the best service at the beach will keep you entertained.  The chefs present you with only the freshest and finest ingredients available. From fresh fish and cut choicest steaks grilled on a wood fire to homemade desserts are conjured from local produce sourced on the eastern shore of Pungo. Here the bartenders are as adventurous as the chefs and will offer you unforgettable mojitos, homemade sangria and organic margaritas.

Practical Information

Address: 2817 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-481-2888

Hours: Sun-Tue: 4 pm to10:30 pm           Wed- Thu: 4 pm-11 pm            Fri-Sat: 4 pm to 1 pm

Reservations: hottunavb.com, opentable.com

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C.P. Shuckers

The establishment is a casual seafood restaurant & pub featuring a raw bar, plus sports on TV and a patio. It is ideal if you are planning to indulge in a meal, drink, watch the game and shoot some pool. This location has spacious outdoor patios for enjoying the breeze and catching a little sun. Enjoy daily food and drink specials with the happy hour deals running Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 7 p.m. and includes discounts on tacos, wings and oysters. Perfect place to munch after a long beach day because of the seafood and most important everything is refreshingly delicious.  In the bar area, indoor and outdoor sitting are available complemented by the fact that they have their own parking lot.  The men’s and women’s bathrooms are usually clean and there’s a changing table available for those who need it service. As you wait for your meal with the young ones they provide colouring pages and crayons for the kids.  If you are in for a game there are plenty of TVs around the restaurant so that you won’t miss your favourite team in action.

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Practical Information

Address: 3232 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-412-2929

Hours: Mon-sun: 11 am to 2 am

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Ready Room

Fran’s Ready Room is a local’s bar that was featured in the movie Navy Seals (1990) starring Charlie Sheen. It is not glitzy and does not pretend to be. The prices are insanely cheap, patrons are seasoned during the day and the crowns get younger as the night progresses.  Called the Cheers of Virginia Beach, Frans Ready Room is the dive bar which is more of a friends’ hang out. This isn’t a typical tourist hangout. Furthermore, the patrons are also salt of the earth types, mostly veterans with a number of real heroes and defenders of freedom. The bartenders are all great and take care of the customers, they serve everyone with a smile and If you are a regular, they might not know your name, but they definitely know which beer you favour. FYI, if you don’t care about smoking, love cheap prices, great crowds of decent folks and best of all some of the best bartenders in Va Beach, try it out.

Practical Information

Address: 1805 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453

Call: +1 757-468-3647

Hours: Tue-Sat: 11 AM to 1:30 am            Sun-Mon: 11 am to Midnight

 

Best Wine Bars in Virginia Beach

Mermaid Winery

Here they are always looking forward to pouring you your next glass of wine! Mermaid Winery located in the Chesapeake Bay District is a must-visit for wine lovers. It is the first urban winery in the state of Virginia and its grapes are sourced from premier vineyards in Virginia and California. They focus on producing small lots of well-balanced wines using Virginia and California grapes and their winemaking process can be viewed from the tasting bar where you can enjoy our creations. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive are great at recommending wines and pairing them with meals. You can also choose from twelve different wine flights or select a wine from our list that features 800 wines from around the world. Try their Mermaid flight so as to be able to try their wines rather than wines from other companies. There is also a food menu that ranges from artisanal cheese platters to sandwiches and entrees. The artwork on the walls of our dining room are risque and may not be an appropriate environment for children (Please take note). We recommend that you make reservations if you’d like to sit at a table.

Practical Information

Address: 4401 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Call: +1 757-233-4155

Hours: Tue-Thu: Noon to 9 PM            Fri-Sat: Noon to 10 PM       Sun: Noon to 9 PM        Mon: CLOSED

Reservations: opentable.com

Order: toasttab.com

Tinto Wine & Cheese

Tinto translates as “red wine” in Portuguese. Much of our inspiration is from Southern Europe, where wine is a staple at the daily meal. Tinto is a mom-and-pop eatery headed up by self-styled everyday wine experts. Newcomers to this cosy establishment might be treated to a small tasting experience and staff are always willing to pair food with optimal wines in a variety of budget zones. Located in the Hilltop area just inland from the oceanfront, this place is all about wine and cheese. Tinto specializes in unique wines from around the world with a focus on mostly organic and biodynamic wines. They mostly feature a small diverse frequently rotating selection of everyday wines from small, family-owned wineries that you can stop in and take home with you or that you can stay and sample. Interestingly, they allow members of their Wine Club to sample wines before they buy which is a valuable process to expand your palate and learn about new grapes and regions. Furthermore, all of their wines are available by the glass without the standard restaurant upcharge! Stop in for weekly tastings, gourmet cheese & charcuterie, and expert guidance on wine selections.

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Practical Information

Located in: Hilltop West Shopping Center

Address: 640 Hilltop West Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-422-1000

Hours:

Press 626 Wine Bar

Casual, neighbourhood wine bar focused on creating a one-of-a-kind experience through wine and food programs, eclectic design and unparalleled service with a sense of Southern hospitality.  Press 626 Wine Bar is a casual wine bar where you can snag an affordable bottle of wine and enjoy comfort food made from seasonal produce. Why visit this establishment? They have a certified first-level sommelier, as the bar manager supported by an educated staff that can assist you in your wine selections at any time.  The bar is a recipient of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2017), thus promising the most eclectic wine list around. Other accolades include *Voted best Grilled Cheese in the Virginia Pilot *Featured in Distinction, Southern Lady Magazine, Garden & Gun magazine and Coastal Virginia Magazine.com. They may not have the most expensive wines and you might not be able to pronounce them all, but they will surely give you something new a try.

Practical Information

Address: 626 W Olney Rd, Norfolk, VA 23507

Phone: +1 757-282-6234

Hours: Mon, Wed & Thu: 11 am to 9 pm         Fri-Sat: 11 am to 10 pm          Sun & Tue: CLOSED

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 4 pm-6 pm

 

Best Craft Beer Bars in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach craft beer is wildly popular it even has its own festival known as the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. The difference between a regular beer and a craft beer is in the quality and depth of flavours. Usually, craft beers often have chocolatey, oak, floral, citrus, smokey or caramel notes. Craft beer makers put the emphasis on quality of ingredients and the complexity of taste.

Commonwealth Brewing Company

People enjoy drinking beer and talking about it and some are dedicated to making it, Jeramy Biggie (part owner) is one such enthusiast who turned a brewing hobby into a full-fledged business. They have about 29 beers that they are either distributing to other local restaurants or serving in their own tasting room. They have four styles of beer and each is unique in taste. The four styles of Commonwealth Brewing Company are Wild and Sour, Seasonal, Hop (Forward), and Belgique.  On your visit to this brewery, you can either sit at their Main Tasting Room which is actually a reclaimed fire station. The Room has picnic-like tables to sit making it easy to socialize with strangers who might sit next to you while sampling available beers. Walls of glass and two retractable glass garage doors make it light and bright. Concrete floors and exposed electrical wiring give the place a very industrial feel. For a super casual setting, the Outdoor Biergarten is where to go! Enjoy a beer around picnic tables with bistro lights above.

Practical Information

Address: 2444 Pleasure House Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Call: +1 757-305-9652

Hours: Mon-Thu: 3 to 10 pm      Fri-Sat: Noon to Midnight       Sun: Noon to 9 pm

The Bunker Brewpub

The Bunker Brewpub first opened its doors in 2013 as Young Veterans Brewing Company. Being mostly Army Veterans, this brewery created over 60 different types of craft beers when they decided to enlist a new friend to bring something different and unique to Virginia Beach. It is a premiere full-service restaurant, brewery and live music venue at the heart of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The Bunker was created by Young Veterans Brewing Company. The Bunker then went on to become a family-friendly restaurant that offered seafood and a taste of a southern coastal food menu. Their most famous menu item is the Virginia Beach Hot Chicken Sandwich. You will experience our Southern Coastal menu and get a taste of life in The Bunker. Since The Bunker has a small brewhouse, they are able to experiment with different ingredients to create fun new flavours. They also have live music and bands that you can enjoy while visiting the bar.

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Practical Information

Address: 211 21st St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Phone: +1 757-227-4250

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Virginia Beach’s Best Sports Bar

The Frog Sports Bar Grill

The Frog Sports Bar and Grill offers everything you want in a sports bar. It hosts all sorts of events and tournaments. Basically, The Frog is the place to be! have a drink and grab a bite to eat. The Frog hosts all sorts of activities including Pool leagues, Poker tournaments, Dart leagues and more.  It is a clean, well-stocked bar with friendly staff complementing the many televisions, pool tables, and dart stations in the bar. This local Bar and Grill style restaurant feature pub menu favourites, with select beers on draft, as well as more casual sit-down dining fare for a night out. The Frog also sponsors Softball and Hockey teams. Tottenham Hotspurs fans in the Virginia Beach area regularly gather at The Frog Sports Bar & Grill to watch Hotspurs play on TV. Check out this chill comfort food hang out, shoot some pool, sing your lungs out in karaoke and watch sports on TV.

Practical Information

Located in: Aragona Village Shopping Center

Address: 4848 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Phone: +1 757-499-8046

Hours: Everyday: 8 am to Midnight

 

Must-Try Gastropubs in Virginia Beach

Esoteric

Visit the ViBe District, Virginia Beach’s arts and culture district, for this modern gastropub in a 1940s building. Located just blocks from the oceanfront in Virginia Beach’s ViBe creative district, Esoteric is the place to go for the best craft beer and curated food experience. The property is the realization of a VB lovin’ husband and wife entrepreneurial team with a passion for good and rare craft beer and foods. As a classically trained chef (Tim) and an experienced restauranteur (Kristina), we were drawn to a VB Historical Registry 1940’s era building in the Arts and Culture District to develop a space dedicated to the art of food, beverage and conversation.  The under-designed spaces facilitate a return to the art of food, beverage and conversation. Enjoy produce from the large green spaces on the property where selected businesses, grow much of the food. At Esoteric dining and drinking experience is celebratory, sensual, intellectual, exquisite and empowering.

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Practical Information

Address: 501 Virginia Beach Blvd Suite A, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Phone: +1 757-822-6008

Hours: Sun & Tue-Thu: Noon to 9 pm      Fri-Sat: Noon to 10 pm     Monday: CLOSED

Union Ale House

Located in the heart of Virginia Beach just a few minutes from the beach, Town Center and Shore Drive Union Alehouse offers up traditional pub fare with a modern and eclectic twist. With dishes that cater to all cravings including wings, burgers, seafood, 20 draft beers and diverse spirits with a strong focus on bourbon, rum and tequila, a great wine list. The owners blend their passion for making delicious food with their extensive knowledge of our cuisine to create authentic and classic dishes for your enjoyment. They only use the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients and promise to give your taste buds something to be excited about.

Practical Information

Address: 2224 Virginia Beach Blvd #113, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Phone: +1 757-431-7322

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11 am to 10 pm              Fri-Sat: 11 am to Midnight

Whiskey Kitchen

Best described as a rustic, warehouselike pub with locally sourced comfort food, regional brews and whiskey cocktails. The place officially called The Circa 2014 Whiskey Kitchen, offers 45 varieties of bourbon, whiskey and scotch; 25 “craft taps” and additional 20-something craft bottles and beers, including alcohol-free and gluten-free ones; a well-constructed, concise wine list is also available; and “craft cocktails” showcasing the whiskey. But the drink list is just the beginning of what The Whiskey Kitchen is about. Here there is a passion for real food and exceptional service. They’ve partnered with local vendors and have a team of employees who are inspired to bring authentic and regional cuisine to the VB community. From the regular menu, we recommend a bowl of Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager beer cheese, protected by an oversized pub pretzel for pulling apart and dipping.

Practical Information

Address: 2149 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Phone: +1 757-689-8860

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11 am to 10 pm              Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm