Norfolk has an amazing lineup of events for August 2025! From the annual jazz festival to Cousinz Fest, to summer camps, sporting events and food fests, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy!
Hard to believe, but August represents the last full month of Tides baseball before post-season, so here’s your chance to get out to Harbor Park while night baseball is at its best. In August, the Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles take on the Memphis Redbirds (Aug. 1-3), the Rochester Red Wings (Aug. 5-10) and the Charlotte Knights (Aug. 19-24) for a total of 15 home games this month.
Enjoy live music on the PBR patio at Waterside District each Friday night. August performers include Erik Gaines (Aug. 1), Abbie Jean (Aug. 8), Poncho (Aug. 15), Heather Edwards Band Duo (Aug. 22) and Horseboy Blues Cowboy (Aug. 29).
Norfolk’s favorite summertime outdoor party finally returns with the first installment set for Aug. 1 at 300 Granby St. at 5 p.m. Kicking off the party is the Richmond-based No B.S. Brass Band, bringing funk and jazz to the first of many great block parties.
A high-energy beach bash that you won’t want to miss, featuring live music, themed food and beverages and kids’ activities. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.
This classic field day event is in partnership with the Norfolk Parks & Rec department and the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. It will feature bounce houses, face painting, hula hoops, tug-of-war, sack races, music/DJs, local food trucks and many more surprises.
This lively, community-centered event is sure to provide wild fun for everyone! Root for Big Homies Inc vs. Reck League in an epic youth basketball tournament showdown, support local by shopping a book fair of small, independent businesses, create enrichment for the animals, connect with valuable community groups and resources, and so much more. Summer doesn’t last forever, but family memories at the Virginia Zoo certainly do.
For more than two decades, Anberlin have remained a formidable force in the alt-rock world, boasting a wildly devoted fanbase who’ve come to rely on the raw cathartic power of their music.
The English Beat is a band with an energetic mix of musical styles and a sound like no other. The band’s unique sound has allowed it to endure for nearly three decades and appeal to fans, young and old, all over the world.
A thrilling musical journey, this show explores a group of teenagers caught in a surreal afterlife scenario after a rollercoaster accident, blending humor, heart, and haunting melodies.
When they began touring again after covid, Fireside drew inspiration from jam bands like The Grateful Dead, the group’s agreed upon North Star. There was significantly more improvisation, changing setlists from night to night, and longer musical movements. Now, they bring their unique sound to the Annex Aug. 14.
Dance to your favorite KPOP songs all night long! Party all night to your favorite hits from BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, TWICE, NCT, NewJeans, and more! Local dance cover groups will also be taking the stage throughout the night.
The MacArthur Memorial is proud to host the Tidewater Korean American Association Annual Korean Independence Day Ceremony. In honor of the 80th anniversary of Korean independence, a special ceremony with speakers and performances will take place.
The Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival is the area’s longest-running outdoor jazz festival and for the 42nd annual edition, the festival features a star-studded cast of some of the biggest names on the international smooth jazz scene. The two-day festival will be held Friday & Saturday, August 22 & 23, 2025 in a beautiful summertime setting at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront.
In this all improvised comedy show. Marcius Lucius will take the audience on a spiritual journey from the past to the future through psychic readings, Raike, palm reading, rock healing, chakra adjustment, handfasting, crystal ball readings, tarot card shuffling, tantric loving making and direct communication with those who have passed on to the other dimension.
The South Bend, Indiana-based band that defies genres (but that blends rock, metal, jazz, funk, blues and more) will perform at the NorVa on Aug. 29. The band has been together 17 years and regularly performs more than 100 shows each year.
Cousinz is a 1-day festival experience – attracting thousands of friends and family to the Scope Arena Plaza for music, food and more. Evolved from the same positive spirit that drew more than 35,000 people to Norfolk’s RNB Block Party over the last year, Cousinz is next. Cousinz is backed by a seasoned team, with a broad vision and a plan to root the undeniably potent cousin culture right here where it belongs, in Norfolk, VA.
If the butterflies at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have heard the news that they’ve earned a major recognition, they’re doing a good job of keeping it to themselves. For the moment, they’re too busy courting, laying eggs, sipping nectar and dodging the occasional frog. But the native-species-only Butterfly House that they call home was just named the No. 1 butterfly house in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best awards.
For Lauren Tafoya, who has spent sixteen seasons raising caterpillars and managing the exhibit, the recognition is a well-deserved nod to many years of effort. “Our focus is on ecology and conservation,” she says. “We’re not showing you something tropical and far away. We’re showing you what you can actually support in your own backyard.”
Indeed, the Norfolk Botanical Garden’s annual Butterfly House (open now through Sept. 30) only hosts butterflies native to the region. That choice allows them to live freely, without the USDA restrictions that prohibit reproduction in tropical species. Here, everything unfolds as it would outdoors: eggs are laid, caterpillars feed and butterflies emerge in real time.
A Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
Tafoya says that with limited predation the butterflies are forced to lay all their eggs in a relatively small space. In the wild, they would disperse across a broader landscape.
“Part of my role is to purge caterpillars or eggs off of the plant,” she explains, removing the excess to prevent overfeeding. “And then those are free to finish their feeding cycle, go through the metamorphosis process, and turn into the butterflies that they’re going to be.”
Tafoya walks the space multiple times daily, monitoring each stage of the life cycle. “I can walk around and show you eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis, and how that behavior would be in your garden space,” she says.
Inside, plants are carefully chosen not just for nectar, but to match the specific dietary needs of each species. “Every species of butterfly as a caterpillar has a partner food group,” Tafoya says. “And they cannot eat outside of that.” The butterflies themselves “taste with their toes,” she adds, and will starve before eating something incompatible.
This precision, combined with the rhythm of transformation, makes the house more than a display. “Once an egg is laid, it hatches in three to five days,” she says. “Each caterpillar needs to feed for about 14 days.” After that, they transform for another two weeks, emerge and live as butterflies for around two more weeks, laying eggs the entire time. The result is a constant overlap of generations, with new life hatching nearly every day.
From Temporary Exhibit to National Model
The Butterfly House began in 2009 as a short-term summer feature. “This was supposed to be like a one summer seasonal exhibit, and that was it,” says Alex Cantwell, Director of Adult Education and Conservation at NBG. But the public had other ideas and the Summer Butterfly House has emerged from its cocoon each year since.
More than 15 years later, the program has evolved into a nationally recognized model. Other gardens, including one in Coastal Maine, have visited to replicate it, Tafoya says.
Tafoya stresses that the garden’s butterfly house isn’t just about housing pretty species. To her, it’s an act of empowerment for locals looking to attract butterflies to their own gardens.
“It would be lovely to show you these fabulous, tropical butterflies,” she says. “But they’re never going to fly to your backyard, so let’s give you what you can do.”
Tafoya says visitors regularly express surprise at how specific the relationship is between caterpillars and plants. “People come in and talk about how they planted all these fabulous flowers, and they’re so disappointed because they only see butterflies for a few minutes,” she says. “Butterflies are a restaurant. You’re hungry, you stop. You may never go back again.”
To help change that, the team has created garden beds outside the house in varying sizes, showing visitors how to replicate habitat, even in small quarters. “We get the people who say, I live in an apartment,” she says. “And this one pot right here—it’s got three host plants.”
Monarchs, with their high visibility and recognizable orange wings, serve as an easy entry point for children and adults alike. “The monarch is such a recognizable one for people,” says Cantwell. “We can show them those other connections with the other local species.”
USA Today Recognition
The USA Today award came after a nomination from a national panel. “The six people nominated the 19 butterfly houses throughout the United States,” Tafoya says. “That in itself was the honor.”
From there, it became a public vote. “Winning was thanks to our members and volunteers,” she says. “They made it happen.”
Visitors can experience the house through Sept. 30. By mid-September, the monarchs begin their journey south, where they are tagged and tracked as they migrate to Mexico and the exhibit naturally winds down.
After that, the rhythm of life continues quietly in chrysalides, waiting for next spring. “I tell them it’s a fabulous Airbnb for them,” Tafoya says. “With Uber Eats delivery every single day.”
Norfolk has many claims to fame, but maybe none more special than the ability for anyone to hop on an air conditioned cruiser and experience a guided tour of the world’s largest naval base – from the water. On the Victory Rover, visitors get an up-close-and-personal glimpse into the busy life at Naval Station Norfolk, a place where military power and maritime tradition blend in full view.
Lasting roughly two hours, a Rover cruise departs near Nauticus in Downtown Norfolk, swings over to scenic Portsmouth, then makes a beeline up the Elizabeth River, passing the Norfolk Waterside, Ghent, ODU and the naval base. Along the way, passengers get a front-row seat to America’s sea power, including destroyers, cruisers, subs, amphibious assault ships and, if you’re lucky, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that’s among the largest ever built for warfare.
Popular with naval veterans, military/history buffs, families and anyone looking to see the inner workings of the U.S. Navy, the Victory Rover is an informative and fascinating mid-morning cruise that sheds light on Norfolk’s importance to the nation’s readiness.
Marvel at the Arsenal
When the Victory Rover rounds the north end of the base, visitors are treated to an incredible lineup of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. These sleek and deadly ships are built to move – and move quickly without being noticed. Further up, you’ll spot the wide decks of amphibious Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships like the USS Tortuga and USS Arlington. Used to haul Marines, helicopters and hovercraft into fighting positions, these workhorses may resemble pickup trucks on the water, but that’s for a reason – their landing decks can support multiple Ospreys and helicopters.
At Pier 3, keep your eyes open for submarines — some Los Angeles-class, some Virginia-class. They’re easy to miss, but fortunately the captain calls attention to them. Sporting no hull numbers or names, these long, black vessels are nuclear-powered and armed with some heavy duty artillery. In fact, many don’t need to be refueled for over a decade, but when they do, they park right here in Norfolk.
Seabound Giants of the Navy
Just past the sub piers is the USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class supercarrier. More than 1,000 feet long and home to more than 6,000 personnel, it’s more of a city on water than a ship. The Truman features theaters, gyms, chow halls and multiple chapels.
As the Rover cruises past the final piers, the captain calls out local landmarks: Fort Monroe to the north, where Jamestown’s settlers first dropped anchor in 1607. The mouth of the Chesapeake looms beyond the breakwater. Across the way, look for Newport News Shipbuilding, where every Navy supercarrier is built by hand, including the next-generation Gerald R. Ford class.
The sights are unforgettable (and please don’t forget your camera), but a trip on the Rover brings perspective more than anything. Perspective on how many people it takes to build a world-class navy and to keep its ships running day in and day out.
Plan Your Visit
The Victory Rover departs daily from Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, leaving at 11 a.m. sharp and returning just before 1 p.m. Onboard, there’s a snack shop selling souvenirs, beer, wine and treats – and there’s plenty of blissful air conditioning for those hot Virginia afternoons. When the weather is perfect, sitting above deck or walking to the open-air bow and stern is a must for the perfect group photo or selfie.
Before or after your cruise, check out the nearby Hampton Roads Naval Museum inside Nauticus and walk the USS Wisconsin. Tickets for the Victory Rover cost $19 for children and $29 for adults. Purchase tickets here.
The City of Norfolk is excited to roll out a new parking initiative designed to make it easier and more affordable to visit Downtown Norfolk. Beginning July 1, 2025 residents and visitors will be able to enjoy two hours of free parking in City garages, new short-term meter rate options and discounted rates through a new business validation program.
The new parking rate plan is designed to provide more access to Downtown businesses for more people, enhance the visitor experience and encourage tourism.
Key Features Include:
Two Hours of FREE Parking in City of Norfolk Parking Garages: Parkers get the first two hours free in 14 parking facilities. After the initial two-hour free period, prevailing parking rates will apply.
Updated Meter Rates: To fund the two-hour free parking program, on-street metered parking spaces located in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas will increase by $0.50 per quarter hour/$2 per hour.
Business Validation Program: Local businesses can offer 50 percent parking discounts to customers staying longer than two hours. For example, a three-hour visit to downtown could cost as little as $2 in City garages or $1 at MacArthur North and South Garages with validation.
City of Norfolk parking facilities offering two-hours of free parking:
Bank Street Garage
Main Street Garage
Boush Street Garage
Scope Garage
Charlotte Street Garage
Town Point Garage
Fountain Park Garage
Waterside Garage
Freemason Street Garage
W. Plume Street Garage
MacArthur North Garage
Union Street Lot
MacArthur South Garage
York Street Garage
Special events are excluded and customers should refer to rate signs posted at parking facility entrances and exits.
For more information on the two-hours free parking program, including a list of City-owned parking garages, or to inquire about other parking programs, visit www.norfolk.gov/parking.
For fans of long-running cable series “Impractical Jokers,” Sal Vulcano needs little introduction. The Staten Island born and raised comic has been creating gut-busting laughs via awkward moments on his prank-based show for 12 seasons. He’s currently touring his new standup set, entitled “Everything’s Fine,” which kicked off in November 2024. Vulcano will bring his comedy to Norfolk on Thursday, June 26, 2025, performing at Chrysler Hall at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35.75-$55.75 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets here.
Following is the Q&A of a conversation Vulcano had with VisitNorfolk ahead of his appearance.
VisitNorfolk: You started this tour nearly a year ago at this point? You keep adding new dates – did you expect it to go on this long?
Sal Vulcano: Oh, yeah. I tour for usually two years per special. So I started this around November 2024. I’ll be touring through 2026 because by the time I get to every market, I’m able to work out all the material and get it prepped in time and get it ready for actual shooting (of the special).
VN: How did you come up with the tour’s name, “Everything’s Fine,” which is a play on the popular meme of a dog sitting and smiling in a house that’s clearly on fire?
Vulcano: It was kind of like all my hang ups from like, my fear-based stories and bits for my childhood into adulthood. It’s just about now. It’s like the current day, and just how I just feel the most unsteady I have felt in my adult life, yeah, with where we stand right now. And I talked about for the very first time my family, which I was never public about, but now that I have a child, and I’m married, those kind of things are just exacerbated a bit. So it’s kind of through that lens, but it’s all fun and funny and escapism. There’s nothing like political or controversial.
VN: Did you always want to be a family guy?
Vulcano: I wanted to be a dad my whole life. I come from a big family and I couldn’t wait. And just for me, it just happened a little later than I had thought. But yeah, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me by far. So just feel really blessed between the family and the comedy career and stuff to do what I want to do.
VN: Talk about your set a little bit. It seems like crowd work comes heavily into play with your shows.
Vulcano: I mean, anything goes, you know. In the last few years, because of the internet, it has become a good way for comics to put some content out there and not burn the actual material from the show. So it kind of is kind of a necessity these days with keeping up. And I love it anyway. I take it as it comes. I like to mix it up with the crowd, get to know them a little bit before I even get going. Warm them up a little bit with that.
VN: For people who only know you from “Impractical Jokers,” what are they in for at your show?
Vulcano: When I do stand up, I don’t really talk about the show at all. It’s two separate creative entities and this is straight standup. It’s bits, it’s stories, it’s crowd work and it’s a lot more of an insight into me, my life and my personality. This tour, for the very first time, I’m talking about my family, my wife, my daughter, which I’d never had before. I’ve been in the public eye for 15 plus years, and I only just now started to come out with that kind of stuff and talk about that on stage. It’s really fresh and new for me, because prior to that, I did not. It is definitely more intimate.
VN: But “Impractical Jokers” is a great reference point for those coming into your standup, though, right?
Vulcano: I would say so, for sure. My launching pad for touring was being known from the show, but since we’ve been touring for the last eight, nine years, and I’ve had a couple of podcasts, I’ve culled another niche audience strictly from the stand up and the podcasting. So now they all kind of come together. But yeah, the show definitely is a means to touring for me, especially initially, for sure.
VN: Are you ever starstruck?
Vulcano: For the most part, I don’t really get star starstruck. It’s very, very, very few and far between. But there are definitely people – like, one time I met Martin Short and I was a little bit taken aback. If I ever met David Letterman or Eddie Murphy or Nathan Fielder, who is a contemporary of mine and someone I think is just beyond genius … someone like that, that’s inspiring to me.
VN: Any pre-show rituals?
Vulcano: Right before the show, I’ll do 100 crunches and 100 push-ups to get my adrenaline flowing. (Long pause) I’m completely joking. Actually, I usually eat about 100 pizzas right before, as well.
VN: Sure, sure you do!
Vulcano: Really, I just take five or 10 minutes alone with my notes, just kind of go through them. Every single show I’m trying to do something extra, something different, change something, I have to take away something from every time I’m on stage. So I try to be strict with that, because there’s no point to it if I’m just going up there, going through the motions. So just, just kind of inflection … but I probably should be doing crunches and push-ups.
VN: How different is it to craft a solo standup set as opposed to your usual environment of working in an ensemble?
Vulcano: You know, it’s so great to collaborate and to write for the show as a team, because our show, unlike any other, is like a joke writing machine. We have different scenarios, and anything we dream up is what we can do. We don’t have to follow anything linear, any script, any characters, we could become anything you want. So as far as comedy goes and TV comedy goes, it’s a dream job. (With standup), it’s just me and my own sensibility, and I fall on my own sword, but I love that, too. It’s just two completely different things.
Both have their challenges and both have their payoffs. It’s nice, especially after doing collaborations for so long, because I met the guys 35 years ago, we’ve been doing comedy for 26 years together and I’ve been doing improv and sketch comedy. Those are all ensemble things, so it is really, really nice to sit down and say, “what is on my mind that’s funny?” And then to get out there and just have a direct, literal, immediate line to the audience is awesome.
The weather isn’t the only thing hotter than a firecracker in Norfolk, this July. The entertainment and activities schedule is also red-hot. Here’s a few of our favorite events coming your way in the first full month of summer.
Your Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles offer up a trio of long homestands this month, taking on the Durham Bulls, the Syracuse Mets and the Memphis Redbirds throughout July.
Norfolk is home to a pair of recurring farmers’ markets, with Ghent hosting them the first and third Fridays of each month from 4 to 7 p.m., and East Beach holding them each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens celebrates its 15th year of Sunsets on the River, where live music, craft beer, regional food trucks and more combine for the perfect night along the shoreline of the Elizabeth River. July’s event features Kamboombox for music and LCast Iron, Deutscher Imbiss and Joysicles for food trucks.
Fourth of July Fun Various Venues
July 4, 2025
Head to Grain for a Brews & BBQ Patio Party where they’ll fire up the grill for a spectacular cookout featuring a delectable 4-course menu, expertly paired with 4 refreshing craft beers. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Or, join our friends on the American Rover for a July 4th fireworks cruise on the water from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Another way to experience the pageantry of the Fourth from the water is on the Spirit of Norfolk, which offers a dinner cruise from 8 to 10:30 p.m. If you prefer to stay on land, join the festivities at Town Point Park from 5 to 10 p.m. where Festevents will host the Great American Picnic and Fireworks extravaganza. There will be hot dogs, burgers, live music from military brass bands and, of course, the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Spend your lunch break at Nauticus for a fascinating EdTalk featuring Dr. David F. Winkler, USNR (Ret.)—renowned naval historian, author, and Smithsonian scholar. Learn how a converted coal ship named USS LANGLEY launched America into the era of naval aviation and changed the course of military history. Winkler is a retired Navy commander and award-winning author who has spent his career preserving and interpreting maritime history. With a Ph.D. from American University, he has taught at the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval War College, served as historian at the Naval Historical Foundation, and was the Charles Lindbergh Chair at the Smithsonian.
Now in its 13th year, FUSE Fest returns on July 12th at Purpose Park, 801 Church Street, offering a vibrant and immersive experience where voices often left unheard rise in power and visibility. This year’s theme, “Unseen to Unstoppable,” honors the resilience, creativity, and strength of marginalized communities—especially young people—who are forging a new reality rooted in hope, justice, and joy.
Visit the Zoo AND beat the summer heat for Adult Night – an adults-only (21+) evening at the Zoo! Unleash your inner wild child with the chance to explore exhibit trails after hours, dance the evening away to a DJ’s tunes, partake in free bounce houses, play lawn games with a refreshing summer cocktail in hand, and enjoy mouth-watering eats from amazing local food trucks.
Castlewood, Virginia-based country rock band 49 Winchester comes to the NorVa for one night only July 17 at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). The band’s album, “Leavin’ This Holler,” features the songs “Hillbilly Happy,” “Tulsa” and “Make it Count.”
Willis scored country hits with her solo albums after signing to MCA Records. Leigh has cultivated a following resurrecting honky tonk that attracted collaborators like Asleep at the Wheel and fans in Rodney Crowell and Guy Clark. Carper, raised on Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash, “sounds like a voice from a bygone era . . . evoking the cool, smoky croon of a lounge singer,” according to Rolling Stone. They come together for a show at the Annex.
at, drink, and salsa the night away at the Norfolk Latino Music & Food Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 2pm to 11pm at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront! Featuring explosive live music performances, an eclectic offering of Latin cuisine including tacos and empanadas, fun family-friendly activities, authentic dance lessons and performances, and much more, the festival celebrates Hampton Roads’ vibrant Latin community.
Join this free family-friendly concert presented by Festevents. Take a musical journey across the big screen and find what makes a ‘hero‘ and what makes a ‘villain’. Enjoy tales of inspiration and bravery with John Williams’s “Superman March”, Grieg’s music from Peer Gynt, selections from West Side Story and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, and more.
If you know, you know. And if you didn’t already buy tickets in the lottery months ago, you’re likely out of luck. But if you did, get ready to experience BananaBall with this pair of sister teams of the Savannah Bananas. Harbor Park will transform into a total party zone for three nights on July 24-26.
We Came As Romans’ ascent was quick and assured, catapulting the band (who met as teens) into the hearts of diehard fans immersed in the metalcore, post-hardcore, and Warped Tour subculture. Their hook-filled heavy music carried an uplifting message and connects with even greater urgency live.
The Descendents invented pop punk. Overstatement? Perhaps, but spend ten minutes scanning FM or the idiot box and you’re bound to witness a ditty or video that tips its hat to a musical genre that was refined to a high art — if not created outright — by the ‘Dents. Formed in 1978 against the fertile musical backdrop of Los Angeles’ South Bay scene (see: Black Flag, Minutemen, SST Records, etc.), the caffeine-addled crew released their first 7″ single “Ride The Wild” as a trio in 1979. Not long after, the boys recruited one Milo Aukerman (microbiology Ph.D. in waiting and poster boy for adolescent ne’er-do-well alienation) for vocal duties.
Laufey returns to Virginia Arts Festival in a new partnership with Chartway Arena. The jazz singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer will be joined by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on July 31, 2025.
What: MJ’s Tavern Where: 4019 Granby St., Norfolk, VA Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. every single day Website:https://mjstavern.com/
It’s Tuesday afternoon and already the tables are filling up at MJ’s Tavern in the Riverview neighborhood of Granby Street. Owner John Childers walks the floors like a man satisfied with a dozen years of hard work at building one of Norfolk’s top spots for both LGBTQ+ culture – and, oh yeah, great food.
In the corner, a group of senior ladies sit playing Mahjong. We later discover they’ve been meeting here for decades – since the place was known as Mason’s Eastern Shore Seafood Restaurant in the 1940s and ‘50s. At the bar, patrons sip beers and watch sports while others mill about outside on the deck. Others tuck into plates of steaks, chicken strips and french fries. It’s an impressive scene for any time of day, much less a midweek afternoon in mid-spring.
“Every day is a good day,” Childers says. “It’s a nice little crowd in there too. When you get to 65, everyday is a good day.”
Ok, so John is technically 64 and a half, but he’s reached the stage of life where he’s earned a little rounding up.
Food. Friends. Family.
Twelve years ago, Childers and then-husband, Mike, bought the old restaurant and got to work adding a patio and, eventually The Shed, a gathering place for local groups who play poker and other shared interests on weeknights. With an eclectic background in the military, shipbuilding and fast food, it was an inevitability that Childers would end up serving his community.
“We wanted it to be like our house, like our church,” he says. “Everybody is welcome.”
Everybody includes the house dog, Caviar, who quietly follows Childers through the property, eager to go for a post-interview walk.
“I really like this. And if you don’t like this, this is not a job for you.”
Thanks to this inclusive approach to clientele, the LGBTQ+ community of Norfolk sees MJ’s as something of a refuge from everyday life. A place where patrons can be themselves without catering to societal expectations, and where they can find comfort food at its finest.
“That’s the way my church is. You come to my house and you’re hungry, you better eat. And if you do go away hungry at my house or here, it’s your own fault because we serve you a very fine portion for a reasonable price and most people take like half a sandwich home with them,” Childers says.
What’s On The Menu
The menu at MJ’s stays relatively stationary except for seasonal additions. Childers says this is purposeful because he has always listened to what customers like and don’t like.
Credit: @mjstavern Instagram
Favorite menu items include chicken strips and fries (the top seller) and a daily Blue Plate special of chicken fried steak, meatloaf or spaghetti. Homemade mashed potatoes and gravy round out the menu while each day has its own culinary theme.
“People like it, and it’s fast, it’s easy.”
Country Fried Steak smothered in-house pepper gravy with mashed potatoes Credit: @mjstavern Instagram
A Busy Events Schedule
According to Childers, “there’s always something going on.” It’s karaoke on Monday, music bingo and pool on Tuesday, bar trivia on Wednesday, Texas Hold ‘Em poker in the Shed on Thursdays and a brunch followed by Sunday Tea to cap off each week.
Speaking of what he calls the “Tea Dance,” Childers says, “Back in the day, gays would get together and they would they couldn’t be out and open. So we’d be sitting like this car and we would be drinking our tea, which would be spiked, of course, and we’d be dishing the tea.”
Childers says this is a way of honoring people who came before him.
In between, there have been marriages, celebrations of life, birthday parties and military reenlistment ceremonies at MJ’s.
Childers is quick to recognize those who keep the operations running on a day-to-day basis. He calls out bar manager Jamie, kitchen manager Greg and a trio of James’s and a Dakota who also contribute to MJ’s success.
“This is the best staff I’ve ever had,” he says. “We are very, very blessed. I can go out of town. I went 13 days to Hawaii. And I came back and it was still here. That’s a good thing. That is a wonderful thing.”
Because Norfolk is always evolving and changing, we want to make sure you don’t miss out on all the new talented chefs, baristas, boutique owners or pitmasters opening up businesses. Whether it’s trying an innovative dish or buying a new outfit, we’re always excited to try out the new locally-owned shops and restaurants. Although we cannot list every new entity that joins Norfolk’s culture, we encourage you to follow along with us on social media for more openings and happenings within the city!
Norfolk native Nathan Ingram began cooking pizza on his Big Green Egg during the pandemic using his own sourdough starter that caught on with friends and neighbors. A few years later, Nathan has quit his corporate IT gig to open Sour Street Pizza at 4035 East Ocean View, Suite 400. It’s right across from Ocean View Beach and 21st Bay St. There are, of course, pizzas, but also meatballs, caesar salads and quite an impressive collection of wines and beers.
Landing Bar and Bistro
Situated inside the DoubleTree Norfolk Hotel at 155 N. Military Highway, the new Landing Bar and Bistro is an American-themes bar and bistro “focused on serving approachable cuisine with a regional touch.” The restaurant’s bar-centric design lets guests relax, conduct business or enjoy a date night. Menu items include breakfast favorites as well as an all-day menu with sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees like ribeye and grilled salmon.
Offering cold-pressed juices, mocktails, smoothies, teas and “more to uplift your health and spirit,” Granvy St. Glow Juice Bar has opened at 727 Granby St. Acai berry bowls and sea moss drinks are also available at the new shopfront.
Owner Czaja Silvasi started out making dinner rolls for family members, but quickly expanded her offerings to local farmers’ markets. Now, she’s opened a brick and mortar location in ICC Building 18 off North Center Drive near Sentara Leigh, selling quiche, pastries, bundt cakes, chicken salad, pimento cheese and other baked goodies. Her store is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The offerings at Norfolk’s Railyard District continue apace with this cafe offering “extraordinarily curated” coffees, teas, cocktails, breakfast dishes and pastries. Tuck into avocado toast, breakfast burritos and sandwiches from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 2330 Bowdens Ferry Rd.
With Chef Ford in the kitchen, every dish comes out a work of art at this new spot on Monticello Ave. near the Scope. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch and cocktails, the atmosphere in Avenue is relaxed, with music playing for diners. Try wings, caesar salads, pizzas, stuffed chicken, Korean short ribs and a full bar serving hand-crafted cocktails.
Another addition to the Railyard District is Just Birdies, a multi-sport simulator venue offering a variety of sports experiences, tasty food and great music. Just Birdies features simulators for golf, soccer, basketball, baseball and even Zombie Dodgeball, among others. Just Birdies also has a full kitchen with burgers, dogs, shareables as well as a bar.
With one location already in Virginia Beach, this eatery recently expanded to Norfolk. The New York-style bagel cafe sits on the East end of Main St. near the courthouse and City Hall, serving breakfast and lunch. Bagels are the star here, but there’s plenty else to choose from, including a whole host of sandwiches (Philly Cheesesteak, pastrami, tuna, burgers, etc.) and full breakfast platters in a bright, spacious downtown setting.
November 2024
ILO Bistro
ILO Bistro
Situated in Freemason at 509 Botetourt St. and facing Brambleton, ILO Bistro is in the former Voila! Space. Serving seasonal favorites, local seafood, steaks, pasta, oysters and small plates, ILO is the brainchild of Chef Zack Close, formerly of Glass Light Hotel and a student of famed New York Chef Daniel Boulud. The restaurant is already packed nightly, with space at its bar a particular premium. Learn more at https://ilobistro.com/.
Courtesy Donut Dugout
Donut Dugout
After a protracted effort to open in the former Naci’s Corner Cafe location in Ghent, Donut Dugout is finally selling (and selling out daily!) donuts at 1900 Granby St. near Doumar’s. According to its website, the Donut Dugout “makes our donuts fresh every day. From cake style to light n’ fluffy yeast.” The baseball-themed donut shop is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until sellout. Learn more on the shop’s Facebook page.
MacArthur General Store
Formerly a longtime downtown pharmacy, MacArthur General Store generally retains the same setup it previously had in is 261 Granby St. spot, with a renewed focus on general household commodities from vitamins to toothpaste and chips and sodas. There is also a section devoted to organically-grown produce. Learn more at https://www.macarthurgeneralstore.com/.
Wands Books
When owner Morgan Wood meets a fellow book lover, he often quips that “we’re cut from the same cloth: buckram.” Indeed, you’ll find many volumes bound in the soft fabric along with paperbacks, hardbacks, manga and more in this new artist loft space at 2501 Fawn St. Flanked by The Annex performing hall and set squarely at the intersections of Lindenwood, Old Hunterville and the Railroad District, the area is home to photography and recording studios, makeup artists and a glass blower. Read our profile of Wands Books.
King’s Philly
If there’s one thing a town can’t have enough of, it’s shops serving up genuine Philly cheesesteaks. Which makes King’s Philly warmly welcomed on the Norfolk dining scene. Serving up classic Philly beef sandwiches, loaded mac and cheese, Korean fried chicken, fried okra and other surprises, King’s is located at 4295 E. Little Creek Rd. Learn more at https://kingsphilly.com/menu-restaurant/.
Honeysuckle Cafe
Good things are sometimes found off the beaten path. That’s exactly the case with Honeysuckle Cafe, tucked away at 813 W. 39th St. behind a 7-Eleven near the ODU portion of Colley Ave. The restaurant places a huge emphasis on community engagement and collaboration, partnering with chefs, artists and artisans to showcase some of the best food Norfolk has to offer. Honeysuckle’s lunch offerings were recently the subject of a very favorable review in the Virginian-Pilot, and its salads, sandwiches wraps and brunch are not to be missed. Learn more at https://honeysucklenfk.com/.
Young entrepreneur Henry Smith started Smashers as a food truck when he was only 17. Now at 20, he’s opened his first brick and mortar location at 1551 Premium Outlets Blvd. in Norfolk. Serving up smashburgers, fries, hot dogs, grilled cheese, milkshakes and chopped cheese sandwiches, Smashers invites burger lovers to “Come Get Smashed” seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Teriyaki and sushi restaurant in Ghent, offering rolls, bento boxes, teriyaki meals, soups, salads and Asian appetizers. Located directly next door to the Naro Expanded Cinema at 1501 Colley Ave. Hours: Monday Closed, Tues.-Thur. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
This 460-seat music venue at 2500 Church Street will host live music and community events. A joint venture between LAVA presents and Young Veterans Brewing Company, the Annex also features a kitchen and bar. Musicians set to perform in fall 2024 include Matthew Logan Vasquez, Kishi Bashi, Red Weather, Frankie Cosmos, Slater and more. See the full lineup.
Owner Danielle Dawley recently opened this 500-square foot showroom of “on trend, high-end consignment furniture and home decor.” Redefinery bills itself as environmentally focused and economically sound. Located at 216 W. 25th Street in a former gym.
The 757’s newest food truck is open every day from 11 a.m. at 3039 E. Ocean View Ave., and stays open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for late-night cravings. Menu items include street tacos (try the al pastor!), burritos and quesadilla.
Located in MacArthur Mall, 757 Creative ReUse Center is a nonprofit dedicated to “providing accessible and affordable second-hand arts and crafts supplies, while reducing waste and promoting reuse. It also offers several upcoming classes including crocheting, tote bag creation, sewing, quilting and more. See the full schedule.
Located at 1903 Shoop Ave. off Tidewater in the Lafayette-Winona neighborhood, Norfolk Smokehouse and Seafood Company offers homestyle meals with mac and cheese, collards, smoked brisket, meats and seafood. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Brandon Brinkley brings local’s favorite Norfolk Candle to Selden Market (208 E. Main St.) after operating previously on Granby Street and in pop-up markets. Norfolk Candle is housed in the former location of CLTRE. | Vegan Joint, which will focus on its Virginia Beach location going forward. Brinkley’s shop features sells candles, flags, greeting cards, sweaters, scarves, beanies and a full range of PRIDE collection items.
Pastry lovers breathed a collective sigh of relief when La Brioche finally reopened in its new Colley Ave. digs in late June. The Parisian cafe is known for its hand-made baguettes, croissants, pies and sandwiches, a tradition that will carry on in Ghent after a move from the NEON District this spring.
Right in time for the dog days of summer, Blyss Ice Cream and Deserts opened at 112 Granby St. in early June, serving ice cream cones, cups, sundaes and milkshakes in a variety of flavors. Vegan options available.
Directly next door to Blyss at 116 Granby St. you’ll find Rolled Up, a new eggroll joint serving some seriously unique flavors. At its June opening, the Asian-inspired eatery was crafting the following eggroll flavors:
Plaza del Sol may be gone, but Gran Maya is here to cheer us all up. With a successful restaurant in Virginia Beach, the Mexican eatery is expanding into the Ghent Market Shops at 2200 Colonial Ave. in Ghent (with a tease on its website that it will soon open a location on Big Bethel Road in Hampton). The menu includes traditional favorites such as fajitas, quesadillas, burritos and a visually stunning Pina Rellena made with a half of a pineapple.
Found at 4214 E. Little Creek Rd. near the East Ocean View Dirty Buffalo, Sloppy Sailors serves cheesesteaks, sandwiches, burgers, dogs, sloppy fries, salads, shakes and desert. Learn more here.
May 2024
Potted: Houseplant Cafe
Part cafe, part plant shop, Potted combines two great things under one roof: brewed tea and houseplants. Situated inside Selden Market at 208 E. Main St., Potted is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Tuesdays, when it’s closed. The staff crafts milk, boba and more traditional teas, and also sells loose leaf tea for home brewing. The opposite wall features a small, but carefully curated selection of houseplants. Follow them on Instagram.
508 CraftHouse
Visitors to the Chelsea District have been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of 508 Crafthouse, which happened in late April. With dishes ranging from Oysters Rockefeller and jerked quail to bourbon lamb chops and scallop gnochi, the menu looks extremely promising, as does the weekly Sunday brunch. Located at 508 Orapax St., 508 Crafthouse is open Tuesday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Follow them on Instagram.
District Taco
Fans of this D.C.-based regional taco chain, rejoice! Found at 2700 Hampton Blvd. across from the up-and-coming Railyard project, this taco joint features the familiar setup found at places like Chipotle, Qdoba and Moe’s, but boasts that its dishes are made fresh from scratch daily. See the menu here.
Slow and Steady Bike Goods
Slow and Steady Bike Goods, located at 2406 Colley Ave. in a former bike shop space, is the newcomer to the city’s burgeoning cycling scene. Owners Joey and Fred have set out to create a “unique and inclusive space that serves as a hub for bike enthusiasts and the community. The shop offers everything from basic flat repairs to premium tune-ups with a quick turnaround. They also host several monthly rides, the details of which are posted at their shop and on social media. Follow them on Instagram.
Virginia ABC (RailYard Branch)
One final Railyard update to add this month: Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control has added a new, clean-as-a-whistle location to load up on libations at 1225 W. 25th St. The new Store expands the choices for those living in Ghent, West Ghent, Chelsea and the ODU neighborhoods. It celebrated its grand opening April 15.
Operated by husband and wife partner Gabriele and Nicole Pianezze, Amale Tre Focacceria crafts mouthwatering foccacias, imported meats and cheeses and other Italian delights in Selden Market. Also serving homemade breads, pasts, sauces, deserts and more. You may know the pair from their popular La Cucina di Sophia food truck. A steady stream of customers at their kiosk tells you everything you need to know about the quality of their offerings.
From $20. Get on board for an approximately 50 minute to one hour guided bus tour of Naval Station Norfolk – the world’s largest Naval installation. Our tour guide will provide a “Navy-approved” tour that includes the homes of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, Chambers Field Air Station, the ships of the fleet and much more.
Camille Sheppard-Parrish has recently moved Crave Bakery from its Edinburgh location to the former Chocollage space at Boush and College in the Historic Freemason District. The bakery serves up coffee, pastries, ice cream and a full breakfast and lunch menu including croissants, toasts, waffles and more. 200 College Place.
Located in the original Brothers restaurant space at 200 E. Plume St. in Downtown Norfolk, Ordinaire serves up a coastal Gullah-inspired menu. Appetizers include fried pickled okra, fried deviled eggs, boiled peanuts and entrees such as shrimp and grits, lamb chops, chicken and collar alfredo and more.
This pop-up art studio and workspace began as a pop-up in Selden Market at 208 E. Main St. The concept is simple: pop in any time for simple free flow crafting like creating bookmarks, bracelets, paintings and more. Sign up for guided workshops by yourself or with a group. Also carries local art, jewelry and more, created by the owner and other talented artists. Now, the store is expanding to a full-fledged storefront.
Slated to open mid-March in the ambitious Railyard at Lambert’s Point project is regional chain Biscuit Belly at 2401 Hampton Blvd. The eatery promises a “brunch menu filled with bold new twists on Southern favorites.”
Also found in the Railyard at Lambert’s Point, StretchLab offers “one-on-one, customized assisted stretching sessions. The stretches are given on our custom designed benches by Flexologists who will customize your stretch to your needs and talk you through your stretches.” Find it at 1225 W. 25th St.
Slated to open in early April 2024, Cooking with Greens is operated by Derak and Anita Green (get it?). What began as a Facebook page has transformed into a storefront in Selden Market where the Greens will sell seasonings, cookbooks, kitchenware and more. 208 E. Main St.
If you’ve spent any time downtown, you’ve likely seen F.R.E.D. roaming the streets, offering Free Rides Every Day to visitors. Downtown Norfolk recently unveiled a new, fancified battery-operated F.R.E.D. unit that transports up to 8 passengers with confort. Call 757-478-7233 to hitch a ride.
Like F.R.E.D., Victory Rover has been a downtown staple for many years, but it’s worth noting that March 2024 marked the return of these ever-popular naval base harbor cruises at the Waterside. As things heat up, don’t miss the chance to see Mermaid City from a different vantage point – aboard a 149-passenger ship.
As part of its “Love is in the Air” campaign, Norfolk International Airport recently unveiled its newest LOVEwork sign that features an Augmented Reality (AR) experience for those who scan the QR code. Check it out; it’s pretty neat!
The Carnival Sunshine returns to Norfolk in 2025! Sailing to the Bahamas and the Exotic Eastern Caribbean, cruises will enjoy 6- and 8-day tours from Norfolk.
What: Alkaline Ramen Where: 742 W. 21st St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; closed on Monday and Tuesday Details:www.alkalineramen.com/
Technically, it’s factual to say that Alkaline is a ramen shop in Ghent. But that doesn’t tell you a single thing about one of Norfolk’s top culinary institutions. Step inside and sit a spell, maybe over a bowl of triple garlic tonkotsu or a plate of miso butter cake, and it dawns on you that this little ramen joint isn’t running after the latest trends or following a template. Alkaline is a deeply personal experience, and it is shaped by the story of owner Kevin Ordonez and the flavors that have defined his life so far.
“This restaurant is built around me being a first-generation Filipino-American where I grew up eating both things,” he says, “and I kind of exist in between being Asian and American. I don’t speak Tagalog. I’m not Japanese. The way that I chose was to do it based off what I thought my life was like. I wanted to design a restaurant or build a concept around what I liked.”
Pacific Roots
When you learn about Ordonez’s life story, it all starts to make sense. For the most part, his culinary journey stretches across the Pacific. Born in San Diego, raised in a Navy family, he lived in Guam and Washington State before spending six formative years in Japan. “Those were the years where I was really starting to form opinions about the world.”
Despite his time in some of the world’s top hotspots for mouthwatering food, Ordonez is clear on one point: “None of our food is traditional. Like, not even the appetizers. Everything starts from something — maybe it’s a flavor, or an ingredient, or just a feeling I’m trying to recreate from a memory.”
Hand-Crafted Goodness
That philosophy plays out across a menu that’s part focused and part experimental. Yes, there’s a stable foundation. Just look at the core ramen dishes and longtime staples like sticky wings and tots. Yet, if you look at the printed paper menu, it rotates with seasonal dishes created by the staff. Kitchen manager Lerone, who started part-time in 2018, now leads that side of the kitchen. “He’s amazing,” Ordonez says. “All the specials you’ve seen in the last year? That’s all him. I almost don’t have a hand in it anymore.”
On the bar side, Danni brings a similar approach, often spending 72 hours building the bases of drinks. “Her cocktail program has the same mentality as our food. It’s very intentional, very prep-heavy, and then quick on the pickup because all of our stuff is designed to be pretty quick.”
Alkaline’s menu reflects the layered, in-between identity Ordonez has lived his whole life. A bowl might start with dashi, finish with coconut and carry just enough heat to linger. The Love Letter cocktail, a bright, citrusy pink number, plays against type, bringing a touch of nuance to a simple coupe glass. And that miso butter cake? “To me, it’s got that warm, memory kind of feeling. Take it home and have it with your coffee in the morning and it’s like the best way to start your day.”
Emerging from Difficult Times
Like many independent restaurants, Alkaline faced a mind-bogglingly brutal stretch during the pandemic. They pivoted to takeout, launched a campaign called Feed 1500, and partnered with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to serve nearly 8,000 meals to local hospitals and first responders. But the real challenge came in the years that followed.
“From 2020 to 2023, it was just trying to lose the least amount of money possible,” Ordonez says. “But last year, we finally broke even. We’re like, ‘okay, like, maybe we can make it.’”
Rising food costs, shrinking margins, and staffing challenges forced the team to adapt. Pre-COVID, the kitchen ran with five people in the morning and eight at night. Today, it’s two in the morning and a much smaller crew overall. The menu has been streamlined, the operations tightened, but the standard remains the same: fully from-scratch cooking with no shortcuts.
“All of our food is authentic, and what I mean by that is everything, like everything we make here is made here,” he says. “We’re a fully from scratch kitchen. We’re not really buying in product. That’s not really what we do. And I don’t have any judgment towards that one way or another. But that’s just how we do it here.”
Ordonez adds, “I don’t care if it makes a ton of money. If I was (concerned about money), I would’ve opened five of them by now. Cookie-cutter Alkalines. But that was never the goal. You can’t replicate this.”
Alkaline, Ordonez stresses, is too tied to the people, the process, the way the team works.
These days, Ordonez splits his time between Alkaline and expanding Virginia Beach hot dog joint Frank and Patty’s. But even as his world expands, Alkaline remains something close to home. In the end, Alkaline is an extension of his story, his culture, and the food that shaped him.
Kevin’s recommended meal for two:
Cocktails: Love Letter
Starters: Brussels sprouts or green bean salad (vegetarian), Tater tot Okonomiyaki, Asian sticky wings (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
Entrees: Triple garlic tonkatsu ramen, Spicy red curry ramenBeef noodle soup (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
