In Norfolk, staying in at night just doesn’t feel right, knowing how much is going on in the city.
The most densely packed bar and club scene is on historic Granby Street. Granby has something for everyone: Bodega for the older and more sophisticated; Empire for the creative cultural elite; Havana for the Yacht Club set; Time Lounge for the club kids; and Hell’s Kitchen for the sailor in us all, just to name a few.
The hipster—and more family friendly—bar scene is in Ghent on Colley Ave. and 21st St. Cogan’s has the best pizza and air hockey table in town; Taphouse has the pool tables and killer beer list; Bardo’s the spot for exotic mixed drinks; and San Antonio Sam’s is Norfolk’s little bit of Texas.
For those looking for an evening atmosphere with a lower alcohol content, Norfolk has a handful of proud, independent coffee shops that stay open late. Fair Grounds is known for its open mic nights, while Bean There and aLatte Café provide the couches and latte, and the regulars pick up the conversation.
Like every other star in the Milky Way, Norfolk has its share of cineplexes, but the real cinephiles congregate at Naro Cinema, which always hasn’t the latest indie, foreign film, and documentary sensation.
Real live people with exceptional talent live, and perform, on a regular basis here as well. Norfolk has an in-house sketch comedy troupe, The Pushers; the Virginia Stage Company (and its majestic home, the Wells Theatre); plus a number of smaller theater companies like the Generic Theater and the Core Theatre Ensemble on Old Dominion University’s campus.
In Norfolk at night it’s never ‘There’s nothing to do,’ but rather too much to do. And that’s something you’ll just have to do-eal with.