Salt in the air does something magical to a drink, and Virginia Beach knows it, serving sunsets, sea spray, and happy-hour swagger in one breezy package along the shore.
If you have ever wanted a bar crawl where flip-flops count as formalwear and the soundtrack is gulls, guitars, and clinking glasses, this lineup is your tide-chart to the good stuff.
We picked spots that mix strong pours with memorable settings, from the Oceanfront to nearby waterfront favorites, so you can choose between live music, seafood towers, frozen cocktails, or a pint with character.
Bring your sunscreen, your thirst, and maybe a friend who never checks the forecast, because these eleven bars prove a little coastal breeze improves almost everything, especially when your glass is cold, your view is wide open, and your next round comes with a side of boardwalk people-watching and enough local flavor to justify lingering after dark.
1. Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Orange Crush devotees, this is your pilgrimage stop.
Waterman’s Surfside Grille anchors the South End Oceanfront near Rudee Inlet, and its long reputation makes it feel like part restaurant, part local ritual.
You come for the beachy energy, but you stay because the drinks arrive cold, citrusy, and dangerously easy to love.
The house claim to fame is the Orange Crush, a Virginia Beach classic with fresh-squeezed juice that tastes like sunshine decided to get social.
Seafood is a smart move here too, especially when a plate of crab cakes or fish tacos lands while you watch the steady parade of cyclists, surfers, and sandy families.
From the upstairs deck, the view gives you that perfect mix of Atlantic sparkle and people-watching theater.
Timing matters, so slide in before sunset if you want prime seats and the full ocean-breeze effect.
Service moves with seasoned confidence, which helps when the place gets packed during summer evenings and festival weekends.
If you want a first stop that instantly says Virginia Beach, Waterman’s practically hands it to you in a chilled glass with a citrus grin.
2. Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
Sleek without feeling stiff, Catch 31 knows how to make an entrance.
Set inside the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront at 31st Street, this spot pairs polished seafood-house style with one of the most convenient oceanfront locations in town.
It works beautifully when you want a drink that feels a notch more elevated without losing the beach vacation mood.
Oysters are a natural order here, and the raw bar leans into the restaurant’s coastal strengths with confidence.
Cocktails arrive looking sharp, the wine list holds its own, and the beer options give easy choices if you prefer simple and cold over fancy and complicated.
Large windows and outdoor seating keep the Atlantic in the conversation, even when your attention keeps drifting toward the seafood tower.
This is a strong pick for date night, celebratory dinners, or that moment when you decide your flip-flops deserve a classier backdrop.
Because it sits right on the northern stretch of the main resort strip, it is easy to pair with a boardwalk walk or live entertainment nearby.
Catch 31 feels refined, but never precious, which is exactly what a beach bar with excellent shellfish should be.
3. Chix on the Beach
Some bars whisper relaxation, but Chix cheerfully shouts it.
Right at the 7th Street Oceanfront, this longtime favorite leans into laid-back beach living with open-air seating, bright drinks, and a front-row seat to the shoreline.
It is the kind of place where a frozen cocktail feels less like a choice and more like good judgment.
The menu covers seafood staples and beach-bar comfort food, so you can bounce from peel-and-eat shrimp to something fried and satisfying without overthinking anything.
Live music often adds extra spark, and the crowd usually blends tourists, regulars, and people who clearly planned to stay for one drink and lost that battle quickly.
Because the ocean is right there, even a short stop can feel like a mini vacation reset.
Chix works especially well for daytime sipping when the sun is high and the breeze keeps everything from turning sticky.
The location near the southern Oceanfront action also makes it easy to fold into a boardwalk stroll, a beach day, or a casual night out.
If your ideal bar serves cold drinks with a side of salty air and zero pretension, Chix is speaking your language fluently.
4. Calypso Bar & Grill
Tropical energy hits fast at Calypso, and that is half the fun.
Located on Atlantic Avenue along the Oceanfront, this colorful hangout brings a vacation-is-on attitude with broad decks, upbeat music, and drinks that look happiest beside the sea.
You will know quickly whether you are in the mood to linger, because this place makes leaving feel wildly unnecessary.
Frozen cocktails and beach-friendly beers fit naturally here, but the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting.
With the boardwalk nearby and water views pulling your gaze outward, even a simple rum drink starts feeling like an event.
The food menu keeps things practical and crowd-pleasing, giving you enough fuel to justify another round while live music takes over the mood.
Calypso is a strong move if your group can never agree on whether the night needs dinner, drinks, or dancing, since it comfortably covers all three.
The vibe usually skews social and upbeat, especially during warm weekends when Atlantic Avenue is buzzing.
For anyone chasing that breezy, toes-tapping, sunglasses-still-on kind of bar stop, Calypso lands the assignment with cheerful confidence and a splash of island flair.
5. Ocean Eddie’s Seafood Restaurant
Drinking on a fishing pier feels like a smart life choice, and Ocean Eddie’s proves it.
Perched directly on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, this casual seafood spot gives you a rare over-the-water perspective that turns an ordinary cold beer into something worth remembering.
The breeze hits differently when waves are rolling beneath your feet.
The menu keeps the focus on familiar coastal favorites, from fried baskets to fresh seafood plates that pair easily with simple cocktails and unfussy draft beer.
There is something deeply satisfying about watching anglers cast lines while you settle into a table with a drink and let the Atlantic do the talking.
Because the restaurant sits out over the water, the views are panoramic in a way many boardwalk bars cannot match.
Come here when you want scenery without fuss and atmosphere without volume turned up too high.
Its central Oceanfront position makes it easy to reach, but the pier setting creates just enough separation to feel special.
Ocean Eddie’s is not chasing trends, and that is exactly its charm, serving old-school seaside pleasure with salt air, gull chatter, and drinks best enjoyed unhurried.
6. Baja Restaurant
Margaritas near the beach rarely need a sales pitch, yet Baja still overdelivers.
Found along Atlantic Avenue at the Oceanfront, this lively restaurant-bar mixes Mexican-inspired flavors with easygoing resort energy that works from lunch through late drinks.
It feels cheerful, a little sun-kissed, and ready for whatever version of fun your evening requires.
Tacos, seafood, and casual shareables keep the table happy, while margaritas and cold beer do the obvious heavy lifting behind the bar.
The atmosphere usually lands in a sweet spot between family-friendly earlier in the day and more social after dark, which makes it versatile for different moods.
If you like your dining with a side of beach traffic, music, and people drifting in from the sand, Baja understands the assignment.
The Oceanfront location means you are never far from the boardwalk, hotels, or an after-dinner walk with the sea breeze doing free cosmetic work on your stress level.
Service tends to move briskly, which helps during crowded summer stretches.
Baja may not be the flashiest stop on the strip, but it is reliably fun, conveniently placed, and perfectly built for salt-rimmed glasses and spontaneous second rounds.
7. Murphy’s Irish Pub
Not every great beach drink needs an umbrella, and Murphy’s Irish Pub is happy to remind you.
In the Oceanfront district on Atlantic Avenue, this beloved pub swaps tiki theatrics for dark wood warmth, hearty pours, and a welcome that feels grounded in neighborhood tradition.
When you want a break from frozen cocktails, Murphy’s steps in like a reliable friend with excellent timing.
Expect solid pints, Irish whiskey options, and comfort food that makes a strong case for staying through another round.
Live music often keeps the room lively, and the atmosphere tends to attract both visitors and locals, which is usually a good sign when choosing where to linger.
There is personality here, but it never feels manufactured or too polished for its own good.
Its Atlantic Avenue address keeps you close to the Oceanfront action while offering a noticeably different mood from the beachfront party spots.
That contrast is the magic, especially on nights when you want conversation, music, and a proper pub stool more than surf-themed décor.
Murphy’s proves Virginia Beach drinking culture is broader than blender drinks alone, and your bar crawl gets smarter the moment this cozy, spirited detour enters the plan.
8. Ocean 27
Sometimes the best move is a bar that looks polished but still lets you keep the beach in the frame.
Ocean 27, near the Hilton Oceanfront area, delivers exactly that with a contemporary coastal feel and a location that keeps the Atlantic practically within arm’s reach.
It is the kind of place where a sunset cocktail can effortlessly become dinner.
The menu usually balances approachable seafood, sandwiches, and comfort-forward plates, making it easy to satisfy a mixed group without endless debate.
Drinks lean refreshing and vacation-friendly, whether you are chasing a crisp beer, something fruity, or a cocktail that photographs suspiciously well in golden light.
Because of its prime Oceanfront setting, there is always some built-in energy from nearby foot traffic and beach activity.
Ocean 27 works well when you want convenience without giving up atmosphere, especially if you are staying nearby and prefer your evening plans pleasantly uncomplicated.
The service style tends to match the surroundings, relaxed but capable, which keeps the experience smooth even when the area gets busy.
For travelers who like their bars equal parts practical and scenic, Ocean 27 offers a breezy middle ground that feels easy, current, and reliably satisfying.
9. The Shack
If your ideal night involves cornhole, string lights, and a drink sweating happily in your hand, The Shack is calling.
Near the 8th Street Oceanfront access point, this outdoor hangout has a playful, almost backyard-party spirit that stands out from more conventional bar setups nearby.
It feels delightfully unserious in the best possible way.
Frozen cocktails, canned beers, and easy bar bites fit the mood, but the real draw is the open-air social scene.
There is room to spread out, chat, and settle in, which makes it a favorite for groups who want movement and atmosphere instead of a formal seated experience.
On busy evenings, the place buzzes with vacation energy that can tip from laid-back to lightly rowdy without crossing into chaos.
Because it sits so close to the southern Oceanfront action, The Shack is easy to reach after the beach and even easier to fold into a casual night crawl.
Go at sunset or after dark when the lighting makes the whole place feel extra festive.
For travelers who prefer sandals over dress codes and laughter over lounge music, The Shack serves exactly the kind of breezy fun that turns one round into several.
10. The Shanty
For a worthy detour beyond Virginia Beach proper, The Shanty makes a convincing argument fast.
Sitting on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront in Cape Charles, this dockside restaurant-bar trades boardwalk bustle for calmer water, boating views, and a slower rhythm that feels wonderfully restorative.
The breeze here comes with a side of small-town charm.
Seafood naturally leads the menu, and the drinks pair beautifully with the bay setting, especially when the sun starts lowering and the marina begins glowing.
There is a polished-casual feel that works for both an easy lunch and a drawn-out evening round, and the water never stops stealing attention.
If oceanfront bars feel performative after a while, The Shanty offers a refreshing change of scenery without sacrificing coastal atmosphere.
Because Cape Charles sits north across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel route, getting here takes intention, but that extra effort is part of the reward.
You are not just grabbing a drink, you are giving the day a change of tempo.
The Shanty is ideal for anyone craving bay breezes, fresh seafood, and a waterfront bar experience that feels a little more hidden, a little more mellow, and thoroughly memorable.
11. Ropewalk Chincoteague
Island time has a taste, and Ropewalk Chincoteague pours it cold.
On the Chincoteague Island waterfront, this spacious restaurant-bar brings dockside views, broad appeal, and a breezy setting that feels tailor-made for stretching out a meal over an extra drink.
It is farther from Virginia Beach, yes, but the payoff is a whole different coastal mood.
The menu is broad enough to please a crowd, with seafood, comfort favorites, and approachable drinks that fit the easygoing location.
Watching boats, marsh light, and shifting sky colors while sipping something chilled is the kind of simple pleasure that does not need improvement.
The setting feels relaxed and family-friendly, yet still perfectly suited for adults who want a scenic bar stop with local flavor.
Because Chincoteague is known for its waterfront character and wild-island appeal, Ropewalk works beautifully as part of a bigger day exploring the area.
You can arrive dusty from adventure and still feel instantly at home once a drink hits the table.
For travelers willing to roam a little beyond the main resort strip, Ropewalk Chincoteague offers a memorable finale filled with open views, gentle breezes, and the satisfying sense that you found the scenic long way on purpose.