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LIVE MAPVA

Norfolk Nightlife

Best Bars in Norfolk

5 venues

Grain

Rooftop Beer Garden, Pub
4

Norfolk's only rooftop beer garden, offering a wide selection of craft beers, pub plates, live music, and river views from the Hilton Norfolk The Main.

Downtown

The Birch

Craft Beer Bar
4.5

A renowned craft beer bar in the West Ghent neighborhood, offering an extensive selection of rare, specialty, and seasonal beers on tap and in bottles.

West Ghent

Toast

Brunch, Cocktail Bar
4.5

A popular spot for brunch and cocktails in the Ghent neighborhood, known for its creative menu and lively atmosphere.

Ghent

Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Irish Pub, Restaurant
4.3

An authentic Irish pub experience with great food, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere. Many elements of the pub were handcrafted in Ireland.

Downtown

Tap It Local

Craft Beer Bar, Gastropub
4.2

A popular spot for craft beer enthusiasts, offering a wide selection of local and regional brews on tap, along with a menu of elevated pub fare.

Downtown

Best Night Out in Norfolk

A curated evening itinerary from early drinks to late-night dancing.

7–9 PMPre-Game

Start with cocktails or craft beers at a neighborhood bar. Keep it relaxed — the night is young.

Baxter's Sports Lounge

Downtown ·

9 PM–12 AMPrime Time

Hit the main strip. Rooftop bars, live music, or a lively pub crawl through the best neighborhoods.

Grain

Downtown ·

12 AM–3 AMLate Night

The clubs open up. Dance floors fill, DJs take over, and the real nightlife begins.

Push Comedy Theater

NEON District ·

Nightlife Neighborhoods

Downtown

The heart of Norfolk's nightlife, Downtown offers a dense concentration of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Granby Street is the main artery, bustling with activity, especially on weekends.

Best for: Bar hopping, live music, and a variety of dining options.
Crowd:

Ghent

A historic and trendy neighborhood with a more relaxed and sophisticated nightlife scene. Ghent is known for its independent restaurants, craft beer bars, and cocktail lounges.

Best for: Craft beer, cocktails, and a more mature crowd.
Crowd:

NEON District

Norfolk's arts district, the NEON District, offers a unique and creative nightlife experience. Here you'll find comedy clubs, art galleries with evening events, and eclectic bars.

Best for: Live comedy, art events, and a creative atmosphere.
Crowd:

Old Dominion University Area

Catering primarily to the college crowd, the area around Old Dominion University has a number of casual bars and pubs with drink specials and a lively, youthful energy.

Best for: College bars, drink specials, and a young crowd.
Crowd:
DistrictBest ForCrowdWalk ScoreTop Venues
DowntownBar hopping
GhentCraft beer
NEON DistrictLive comedy
Old Dominion University AreaCollege bars

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nightlife like in Norfolk?

Norfolk offers a diverse nightlife scene with something for everyone. Downtown is the main hub with a high concentration of bars and clubs, while Ghent provides a more relaxed, upscale experience. The NEON District offers a creative and artistic vibe, and the ODU area caters to a younger, college crowd.

What are the best bars in Norfolk?

Some of the top-rated bars in Norfolk include Grain for its rooftop views, The Birch for its extensive craft beer selection, and Toast for its popular brunch and cocktails. Grace O'Malley's offers an authentic Irish pub experience, and Tap It Local is another great spot for craft beer lovers.

What time does nightlife start in Norfolk?

Happy hour typically starts around 4-5 PM on weekdays. The nightlife scene gets going around 9-10 PM, with many bars and clubs staying open until 2 AM, especially on weekends.