28 Best Bars in Norfolk

“This place is a blast with alot of energy. There's a room for every type of vibe you might be feeling. 10/10“

“My wife and I have consistently enjoyed Swell for several years. Service and food are exceptional! However, I'm posting this review because of something that occurred this evening. Two days ago, I received an email informing me of a new addition to their menu ...... she crab soup. My wife and I were thrilled and decided to check it out this evening. We arrived, order wine and a beer, and were informed that the she crab soup ran out yesterday. I'm hoping that, in the future, if the owner is going to advertise a new menu item, that item should be on the menu. If it is not available, the owner should consider sending an email to his VIP members.“

“Met a client for dinner and it was a great recommendation! I had actually eaten already but decided to grab some light bites so that my client didn't have to eat alone.

I ordered the buffalo shrimp and a cup of chili. I like that the shrimp was cooked in the buffalo sauce and not just thrown on when it finished cooking. They were very saucy and I just realized that I failed to get a picture of them.

The cup of chilli was filled to the brim and came with the option of having sour cream, cheese, as well as one of the best pieces of corn bread that I've eaten outside of home. It was thick and sweet and cooked to perfection!

Our server was exceptional, she had the perfect blend of allowing us time and ability to converse while also being discreetly attentive to our needs.

Also ordered a piece of cheesecake to go and it was as delicious as they come, even without toppings! The only tipping that they had was raspberry sauce and I'm more of a strawberry person but this generously portioned cheesecake didn't even need it.

The environment was very intimate and allowed for private conversations. There was also a room which looks like it may be used for somewhat larger groups but I'm not sure.

It did not take long to get a table, as they were ready to seat us immediately upon arrival.

There is an intimate parking lot but I believe the lot adjacent to it can also possibly be used- but I didn't check it out. There is also limited street parking, which could likely be competitive outside of the Sunday that we met.

The menu has a lot of variety and there are options for every type of pallet. Based on my experience, I would definitely return and would recommend them highly.“

“It would be easy to miss this business if you weren't looking for it. I went looking because of the great reviews I had read about their wings. The first thing I noticed was how clean and spacious it was inside with lots of pool tables, dart boards and other game options. There are plenty of screens to watch your favorite sports. The helpful, friendly staff were very welcoming and helped me place the order for my party by providing excellent suggestions. The order was ready right on time and the bartender even helped me carry it out to my car. My guests raved about the wings and the coleslaw was fresh and tasty and not at all like the pre-prepared stuff you get elsewhere. I will definitely order there for my next party and plan to visit myself and enjoy the sports bar. They also open daily for breakfast. I highly recommend Sharks Sports Bar.“

“Went there on Saturday afternoon and the service from the bartender could not have been better! He was so nice and accommodating and made some great recommendations. Will definitely go back!“

“Great place with good food and good service! Very unique fare. Highly recommend it. Upscale bar also.“

“We could not have asked for a better experience for our daughter’s wedding at Vista Point! Mara’s expertise was instrumental in bringing about a perfect weekend from the rehearsal to wedding to reception. The guests are still talking about the exceptional food and service provided by banquet manager Terri and team. And the bartenders developed and served signature drinks that were outstanding. When you combine incredible water views with some of the best people in the hospitality industry, you get the wedding of your daughter’s dreams!“

“I had the Chiflet burger and it was absolutely amazing , great friendly service definitely gonna have to go back.“

“Food is amazing, James, Brenda, and Brittany are my favorite bartenders.“

“I've had great service every time I've been, amd THE FOOD. Oh my goodness, the food. Wings are SO SO SO good. Quite possibly the best wings I've ever had, anywhere. And even though the prices are low on their apps, the portions are normal sized and the apps themselves are VERY tasty. Really can't recommend this spot strongly enough.“

“5 star food, service, and vibe. crab sakes were delicious!“

“Great place for a meeting or just a relaxing afternoon with my wife. Love the Tealux Signature Milk Tea and the smoothies.“

“Military or prior military and spouses only. Great atmosphere, great people!!! Correction: Just to clarify...E-7 to E-9 unless sponsored by a Genuine Chief.“

“Attended a Murder Mystery Dinner event last weekend. Lovely venue. Gorgeous interior. Great entertainment. The actors were superb. The venue staff was terrific! The dinner for the event however was just not great. I think they had hired out catering. Most of my food was cold, and some of it did not match what was listed on the menu that would be served. By the time I got to the dessert line, there was nothing left… no sweet treats for our anniversary. Would definitely do the murder mystery part again, but only if they get the dinner part fixed.“

“Haven Inn is my favorite bar, hands down. Kim is the most amazing bartender and the patrons are so kind. It's the definition of a dive bar and just walking in brings the biggest smile to my face. I love going and playing darts and pool and interacting with everyone. 10/10.“

“first time there and the food was good company was good also can't wait to go back it's going to be on good night after work good place to go to“

“Zen is an oasis for eclectic artists and outrageous performers. It's where you go to step out of the insanity of the outside world to enjoy the loving embrace of inclusive joy and companionship. The bar staff is kind and attentive. The food is tasty as hell. I really could never say enough great things about Zen. Whether you're a performer or a patron, 37th and Zen is a welcoming haven.“

“This was a fun place but please BEWARE of your tab. Someone tipped themselves $6. They control your tab at the front. I poured my own drinks and there was NO OPTION FOR A TIP. I didn’t notice until after .“

“Absolutely love their chicken wings, pizzas, and subs!! Bartenders are nice and the atmosphere is fun.“

“Good food for everyone, vegetarian and kids.“

“THE FOOD! Can’t wait to visit from MD and have more!!“

“We couldn’t have imagined a better venue than The Harbor Club at Waterside for our wedding. We hosted our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception there, and it was truly perfect from start to finish. For anyone from Norfolk, there is something incredibly sentimental about Waterside, and The Harbor Club captures that feeling while also being absolutely stunning. The space itself is beautiful and unique for a non-traditional wedding location, and the large balcony overlooking the Elizabeth River offers breathtaking views that make the venue feel extra special.

The location in Downtown Norfolk truly cannot be beat, especially for out-of-town guests. We reserved hotel blocks at nearby hotels, and the majority of our guests were able to walk to the wedding, which made the entire day feel easy and relaxed. We also reserved the small lot beside Waterside for the afternoon and evening of our wedding, which we highly recommend. It created additional ease for local guests and removed any stress around parking.

We used the inside of The Harbor Club for both our ceremony and reception, with cocktail hour held outside on the balcony. With 110 guests, the space was the perfect size. Everything flowed naturally, and guests had easy access to restrooms that were closed to the public, which was a huge plus. During cocktail hour, we were lucky to experience an incredible sunset filled with pinks and purples, creating an unforgettable backdrop over the river and some truly stunning photos.

In addition to the location, the staff at The Harbor Club were a major highlight. Jenn, the Private Events Sales Manager, was our main point of contact and was absolutely wonderful to work with. From the beginning, she communicated clearly and made it easy to trust her and her team. She was incredibly familiar with our other vendors, which made the entire planning process feel seamless. Jenn always made us feel supported and heard and patiently answered our many questions, especially as we worked to narrow down all of the amazing menu options. She was also incredibly personable and a joy to work with.

We also worked with Dishon during our tasting and on the wedding day. He was calm, professional, and kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes. On the day of our wedding, we had the pleasure of interacting with the Harbor Club bartenders, servers, and head chef as well, and it is truly not an exaggeration to say that every single one of them made us and our guests feel special. They treated everyone with enthusiasm, respect, and kindness. We only wish we had written down everyone’s names so we could recognize them individually!

Our guests raved about the venue, the food, and the drinks, and we could not agree more. We are so grateful to have celebrated our wedding at The Harbor Club and would wholeheartedly recommend it to any couple looking for a beautiful, meaningful, and well-run venue in Norfolk!“

“Stopped in because I was in the neighborhood and heard good things. Nice place, decent service; just seemed like the locals were there and that was the focus. Gonna try again because the cocktails were delicious and the food menu looked pretty good, too. Don't choose not to go off this review alone. I will go back and try again.“

“The food was great but I really like the drinks we had a great time“

“So you don't get chips n salsa unless they ask you first. It's still complementary. Had a torta for the first time. It was pretty good. My dad had ordered a meal and ceviche. The food was good. No white sauce for chips. This is authentic as it's gotten in Norfolk to me. They don't even speak english. Go figure. Food was good.“

“My wife and I went to this levels location for the first time this weekend this place is way bigger than the Chesapeake location. The lay out is dope we went during happy hour which was good the drinks were $7 and the hookah was $15 the music was good will be returning I want to try the wings!“

“This was my husband’s and I first time here! The atmosphere was great and everyone was friendly! The food was absolutely outstanding!! The brussel sprouts were amazing! The fish tacos were amazing!! Hubby had the fish n chips (cod) and slaw. Amazing!! Then dessert! You have to get the peanut butter tart!! Smh Too great!! We enjoyed ourselves! Everything was fantastic from the time we walked in to walking out to go home! What a treat!!
Thank you JB ( waiter) for helping us have a fabulous first time experience! You were fun, assertive, kind and thoughtful!“

“Great time, cold drinks, and the food looked delicious! Will try next time around.“