For those of you visiting Norfolk for the first time, or for you sailors that are going to be calling it home for the next few years, it is important to know where the greatest watering holes are. The following is my Top Ten List of Best Bars in Norfolk, Virginia.
10) Tanner’s Creek
This is a local dive bar named after the son of the owner, Tanner. This restaurant features some of the best seafood in the area along with a delicious assortment of finger foods such as hot wings, mozzarella sticks, and fried pickles. Every Thursday night, they feature Amateur Poker League games at 7 PM and 9 PM.
Ladies Night is Tuesday Night and they have Quarter Beer Night once a week. With its close vicinity to Old Dominion University, you will be sure to see some crazy college antics at this out-of-the-way bar. Reservations are not necessary and the price range for an entrée is between $5 to $18. The drinks are great and the staff friendly along with a solid group of regulars eager for new blood to join the group.
Two pinball machines and a few arcade games completes this drinking spot for only the most knowledgeable of Norfolk natives.
5103 Colley Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23508
9) University Pizza
Right across the street from Tanner’s Creek lies their primary competition: University Pizza. Serving up cheesy pies by the slice or whole pizza, you can grab a wide selection of beer and liquors. Tuesday Nights is their Amateur Poker Night, hosting several tables each game. A digital jukebox and a pool table for your entertainment along with an open air, concrete deck which is covered by a canopy.
Sunday Night, the bar has a 35-cent wing special which is a deal far too good to pass up. The pizza dough is made fresh at the restaurant and is close to Old Dominion. The price range is perfect for the college student to grab a good drink and great food.
They easily have one of the best pizzas in the area. This is a down-to-earth bar where you can go and chillax with your friends in a great place.
5008 Colley Ave
Norfolk, VA 23508
8) Red Dog Saloon
Going farther down Colley Street, you will come to Red Dog, where you can step into the neon-luminated bar. With numerous places to take a squat and a LARGE beer selection, get ready to have your poor soul served the coldest brews by some pretty ladies. They have specials for all kinds of people, along with a wide selection of appetizers. The wings could be hotter but for those of you needed a little extra kick, the servers will be more than happy to give you some hot sauce to put on those wings.
This is a pretty decent-sized bar with plenty of room and drink to go around. Everybody is always in high spirits and the bar is located in the middle of Colley Avenue, amongst a variety of all kinds of differing restaurants.
With an open-air patio, you can drink outside as close to the street as is legally possibly to hurl drunken insults at every obnoxious person that you can see. With a nice fence to keep the law out of your drinking, this watering hole provides all the best experiences that you could want.
1421 Colley Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23508
7) The New Belmont
This bar brings back great memories of when I was a comedian. This bar features a decent selection of beers, great music, and awesome events. Fridays and Saturdays feature local DJ’s and musicians for your auditory entertainment and food that is as diverse as it is delicious. In particular, their spicy oysters are incredible and as someone who is not a fan of mollusks, that is a truckload of praise.
They used to have a Comedy Open Mic night every other Sunday where many of the area’s most talented (and sometimes, some of the worst) comedians come out to tickle your funny bone and try out their material. Also, on Sunday nights, they have an All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Buffet for $11. Not a bad deal, considering they bring in a few sushi chefs in to make the rolls. It is not great sushi but for eleven bucks you will enjoy it nonetheless.
There are a few tables on the upper floor where you can shoot a few balls around while you are waiting for a nice cool brew to be delivered to you. Entrees are not too expensive and the booze is reasonable.
As a performer, this is a great place to try out your skills with an honest, yet comforting crowd. As a diner, you will enjoy the low prices and great atmosphere.
2117 Colonial Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23517
6) Mo and O’Malley’s Irish Tavern
Located on the eastern end of Granby street, this pub provides a great Irish atmosphere. With live music pretty much every night of the week, Bernie, the bar’s owner and bartender, will serve you Irish beers and whiskeys until you are either swimming in it or you have reached the limit on your credit card, which ever comes first.
It has a very authentic feel and the menu has both Irish and American cuisine. Their Shepherd’s Pie is decent but their selection of whiskey is much better. Whether you crave the Republican whiskey of Jameson’s or the Northern Ireland’s choice malt of Bushmill’s Bernie’s got it and she’s serving it as much as you can possibly drink.
It’s slightly more expensive than most Irish restaurants in the area but that is simply because it is on Granby Street where everything is much more expensive. It is totally worth it to go down there and have afew drinks with some of the regulars and enjoy a nice dish of fish and chips.
131 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
5) The Big Easy
Formerly known as Club Soda, it recently became owned by new management and changed into a Cajun bar. As one of my favorite haunts, there are many things that appeal to me about this bar. As a more upscale establishment, they have all kinds of Louisana-cuisine to feast on. Crawfish, jambolaya, or raw oysters are served to order at both the upstairs and the downstairs in this split-level bar.
The bartenders are skilled and beautiful beyond reason. Seriously, when I was a single man, I would have chopped off my left hand to be with those ladies. You will not be disappointed by the service provided with prompt delivery and a gorgeous smile.
They accept reservations and expect to pay $13 to $35 for an entrée plus a little more for the booze. As an added bonus, this is the only bar in Norfolk that serves Absynthe. This is not the kind with narcotics mixed in it, but it still tastes delicious. So there will not be any green fairies floating around but there will be some beautiful women serving you some great drinks.
111 West Tazewell St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
For the gothic and heavy-metal loving punk in all of us, there is no better place to go to then Hell’s Kitchen. A bar decked out in its most devilish colors and sexy wait staff, you will never mind trying to find a seat at the bar.
On Wednesday Nights is the Date Plate special, where two steak dinners, cooked to perfection with your choice of sides, is available for $16. That’s cheap enough for even the poorest college student to take their lady out on a great date.
Live music on Fridays and Saturdays, along with the occasional deviant art show, you will find some of the most colorful characters at this place. Be always vigilant though… a stray camera shot might find you and have you immortalized on the TV of Shame, hanging above the bar.
The food is probably the cheapest you will find on Granby Street with prices between $7 and $30. The Nachos Platter is absolutely kick-ass and so is this bar.
124 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
3) Byrd and Baldwin’s Steakhouse
This is, by far and large, the most upscale restaurant you will find in downtown Norfolk. As such, you can expect to pay a pretty penny at this restaurant. The average price for a dinner for two is around a hundred smackers. This is also a split-level restaurant with the bar and the kitchen located in the lower floor.
Served by barkeeps like the beautifully classy Ashley, you will find yourself mesmorized by her charming beauty and amazingly potent drinks. If you so happen to drool on the bar counter, fear not, for their a classy napkins that you may use to quickly wipe up your ill-placed slobber.
As you pass into this beautiful bar, past the glass waterfall at the entrance, be sure to tip your valet. They work hard for your approval and your dollars. You will not find a faster valet service in the city.
116 Brooke Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23510
2) 456 Fish
Located at an address that is easy to remember, you may find this great seafood bar at 456 Granby Street. This classy restaurant is moderately expensive, with entrées costing about $15 to $45 a dish. The bar selection is massive, with every kind of booze you can possibly abuse in a single night. If you are looking to meet an older, groovy crowd or a nice place that you can take your fine lady friend when you are out on town, this bar is key.
They serve a variety of seafood dishes like Seared Salmon or Kalimari. At the bar, you will find a well-made bar with stools almost meticulously positioned at a 45-degree angle. The stunning bartenders such as Kim, will serve you high-class drinks at moderate prices. There used to be an outside porch where smoking was allowed but with the current construction of the Norfolk Light Rail, that has been removed.
Their amenities include valet parking, reservations, and group rates and tables for larger parties. In the bathroom, do not look for paper towels to dry your hands, for Fish only keeps cloth towels to remove the moisture from your hands. Also, complimentary mouthwash is available by the sink, to swish around before you pucker up to your date for the evening.
When you visit, be sure to tell your bartender that you came on the recommendation of the Crazy Irishman and allow them to tell you stories of some of my antics there.
456 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
1) Bodega
Located next to 456 Fish and owned by the same people, this is my number one choice for best bars in Norfolk. Bodega is a tapas restaurant where the fine chefs like Alex will cook you up a delicious dish while the Kristine’s will serve you a delectable Mojito, which was voted best in Hampton Roads.
This is a smaller bar which can become quite packed on weekends, it is a perfect place for a romantic rendevous or hanging out with friends. The wait staff is incredibly attentive and did I mention, they are all completely beautiful, even Paul.
Expect to pay around $8 to $35 depending on whether you are ordering tapas or entrées. Managers like Ivan and Johnny will make your patronage welcoming and entertaining to say the least. Reservations are accepted and encouraged for larger parties.
Mention that you read this review, written by Patrick the Crazy Irishman, and they will open their best seats to you so that they may welcome you as family. As they say at Bodega, a stranger is a friend you have not met yet.
442 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Paddy’s Top Ten Bars in Norfolk. Enjoy it and tip my favorite bartenders and servers well… they work hard for your tips and they deserve every penny.
