Mj&#x27;s Tavern

My friend and I had such a great night out -- we hit a lively bar, danced a bit, and had a few…read moredrinks. By the end of the night, we were both pretty tired and a little sore from standing and walking around. On a whim, we decided to stop by a nearby SVIP foot massage parlor, and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming, and the therapists were super professional. After a relaxing full-body massage, all the tension just melted away. We left feeling completely refreshed, loose, and happy. Such a great way to end the night.

The music is awful for a gay dance club. $20 cover, too expensive for the quality of DJ music. I…read moretired giving this place a chance several times and was disappointed every time with the music. i prefer big city gay clubs, they know what they're doing. The Wave seems like they're hiring the prom DJ.

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Birthday Girls!!

37th and Zen

3.6(56 reviews)

1.2 mi

Love this place for goth night on Friday nights! They started charging $5 to get in. This place…read morealso does karaoke, game nights, and drag shows. Good vibes. It's always a fun time. Service has sort of gone down hill. It just seems like the bartenders are burnt out and don't really care anymore. They're not very helpful or friendly. It's like they hardly notice you these days. 4/5 stars cause I've met a lot of great people here and the goth vibes are immaculate.

It was New Year's Eve and i received a last minute invite to Zen. Of course we went, however we did…read morenot know that it was a masquerade party. The vibe was awesome.... it always is :) The bartenders were working hard but that DJ was working harder lol. We had a few cocktails and danced a little. All in all, I had a pretty good time. What I like about this place is the inclusivity it offers. "Safe Space Energy. It draws a mix crowd of people and ages. Young and old are welcome.

Mimosa tower (mostly juice)

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Plants

The Rainbow Cactus

3.4(92 reviews)

11.9 mi

Quaint lil Queer Bar with solid Drag Shows, Drink Specials, Karaoke and late night Bar Food. This…read moreis a safe space! Bartenders are kind, designated smoke area on patio, and pool tables in the back, Only thing they're missing is a gender-neutral restroom. Signed, The Happy Hour Huntress

Very great food great atmosphere great people very loving and caring staff…read moreVery good Dj

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The Green Onion

3.5(374 reviews)

1.4 mi

Beautiful place with a very impressive menu. Staff was personable, knowledgeable and friendly. Went…read morefor lunch with an old friend and we loved everything. Highly recommended.

Had a birthday celebration there for 9. The food and service was wonderful. They had our table…read morefully decorated upon our arrival, served 2 beautiful fruit and cheese charcuterie trays with a champagne toast before serving dinner. Brought out our lit cake at the end of dinner with an additional champagne toast. CUDOS TO Annette Jaye and great staff.

Inside

Tomato basil soup

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Aperol Spritz

Cap'n Rons Bar & Grill

3.1(49 reviews)

4.6 mi

Ok Cap' Ron's is BACK! And it's better than ever! I am so happy the smoke smell is GONE!…read more They still have some more clean up to do, per the bartender. However, the food was amazing, the drinks were too. Everyone working was friendly and inviting. Everything was great except for some older customers oogling a young server. He told a older manager looking man that he would come more often if the staff looked more like the young girl. The manager replied with, and that's why I didn't hire anymore.

It's kinda a weird vibe in here, although I came with some of a softball team on a Sunday afternoon…read morepost games. You have to order at the bar for food & drinks and they bring it out to you. We chose to sit outside and enjoyed the oscillating fans that misted water. We did not enjoy the extremely LOUD music that was playing, even outside. It was a bit much. The food was good, bar service was good, and we MAY come here again. I think it needs a thorough clean up and maybe is more of a bar/club/nightlife type of feel- it has that icky, sticky sort of feeling to it. Just kinda rundown. The food was good though, so it kinda balanced out, I guess. I'll come back if a group of my friends are, but most likely not on my own.

Cheeseburger and Fries

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Jax Place

3.6(31 reviews)

7.4 mi

It would be a nice place. Strictly for chronic chain smokers. Unfortunately, I can't eat nor…read morebreathe in a place that smells like an ashtray from the second you open the front door, even in the foyer with a second door. Forget about singing karaoke. It smells like a chainsmokers's apartment of 50 years. It's a choice, but not my choice. It's a large spacious place, but it would still smell the same even if nobody was smoking in there.

You want good vibes, great drinks definitely need to come join the party at Jax. Grearread more

Go ARMY !!!

Very good... special! BBQ chicken pizza

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Covered outdoor patio

Repeal Bourbons and Burgers

4.4(1.7k reviews)

17.1 mi

We loved the food at Repeal Bourbons and Burgers !…read more We started off with drinks which were yummy and delicious. I had the Plymouth Rock because I love Gin and it was refreshingly sweet. My husband had the Margarita on the Rocks which I was not a fan of. I did not like the mix they used to make thins drink. My son also tasted it and agreed with my opinion. The lettuce wraps were really good. My daughter in law and I both had the CALIFORNICATION burger, my husband had the CLASSIC burger, my son had the CAPONE Burger and everyone was really happy! All burgers were properly cooked and delicious. The fries were good, nothing special to write about. My husband had the fries with bacon dust and they were very sweet. He wasn't a fan but I thought they were delicious!

Love the view eating outside. Very chill atmosphere and staff was nice…read more The chips were delicious and my favorite part of my meal. I asked for my burger be medium and it wasn't cooked the way I wanted but I still enjoyed it because it was full of flavor. I prefer smaller burgers, I feel like the patty was gigantic, so not sure I'd come here again.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

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The Huntsman w/Truffle Fries

Park Lane Tavern

3.9(791 reviews)

12.6 mi

Excellent food! This restaurant has a great atmosphere and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating…read more It is very loud, so conversation is hard. We had several servers which was nice because we didn't have to ask for anything. Took a little longer to get food than normal but it was crowded. Definitely one of my top 10 for a burger or grilled chicken sandwich.

Over the weekend, Sophia and I dined here to continue celebrating my birthday for the month. Park…read moreLane Tavern has been one spot that we've been to over and over. Whether it's with friends or just the two of us, we've never been disappointed. Let's see how this visit went. We were immediately seated once we walked inside. It wasn't completely packed for a Saturday afternoon but staff was really busy with customers. The vibe was one that made us comfortable for the most part. After a few minutes of looking over the menu, we were ready to order. My selection was the Tavern Monte Cristo which consisted of chargrilled chicken and ham as the protein with Gouda cheese and cider aioli fried in a tempura batter with tavern fries. The meal was served hot and ready and tasted great. And having the cranberry coulis as a dipping sauce really added some taste. My only gripe with the sandwich was the amount of protein. I'm not sure if I ate most of it when we dined in, but when I ate the rest for dinner, it was more breading than anything else. Still good but they could've included more. Nonetheless, I was full. Good stuff as always from Park Lane Tavern :)

The cool bar seating!

Spinach artichoke dip

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Breakfast shot and Bloody Mary

No Frill Bar and Grill

4.4(1.1k reviews)

1.4 mi

Always a great dinner at No Frill. Food was amazing and our server was very attentive. Love the…read morevibe and how clean this place is. Don't sleep on the desserts!

It has been nearly three weeks; I can stop thinking about No Frill Bar and Grill…read more I'm a military spouse, so I know my time in Hampton Roads is coming to an end soon. I visited a Hampton Roads Restaurant group on FB and asked if someone was visiting from out of town: What is your go-to place to take them? Out of 90+ comments, No Frill Bar and Grill was mentioned the most - six times! So when I finally had a day off and some other business to tend to in Norfolk, it was the perfect excuse to finally try them. No Frill Bar and Grill has been open for nearly 30 years by Jerry Meltsner. Jerry's nephew Jon Kliner helps co-own and manage operations. It originally opened on Tidewater Drive, but the space didn't allow for much growth - 10 years later, he moved to a location off Colley Avenue and Spotswood Avenue. Growth continued, moving from counter service to table service. The second location, at 1620 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, opened in 2005. The restaurant's longevity stems from quality, consistency, price, service, and staff who genuinely care about the business and serving the community. I asked the server for her opinion on two options - Salmon, Shrimp and grits won. The dish was incredible: lightly blackened salmon, for once blackened food that doesn't just taste like salt. I don't dine with the swine, so I asked for no andouille sausage. The sautéed shrimp, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and spinach simmered in Norfolk Canyon ale sauce over cheesy grits and Boursin lavash cracker. The cheesy grits were smooth, and the Boursin lavash cracker was a nice touch. The Boursin added extra creaminess to the meal. The cracker wasn't really a cracker - more like little toasted bread. After this first meal, I know two things for sure: 1. I definitely understand why it is such a local favorite, and 2. I will be back.

Inside No Frill - Norfolk

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Club sandwich

My Mama's Kitchen

4.5(539 reviews)

3.9 mi

For many years, Sophia and I have dined at My Mama's Kitchen where the food was excellent and the…read morestaff very friendly. In 2023, they closed their original location of Shore Drive and set sights on a new local which was expanded. They have finally reopened and we got a chance to stop in to see how they were doing. Let's check it out shall we? We were seated a minute after walking in. There were a few people dining inside on this cloudy day. The decor is nice resembling a type of restaurant you may see in New Orleans. Right when I was looking through the menu, I ran into Chef Moe who greeted me with a handshake. It has been years since we last saw each other but the vibes came right back since Sophia and I were long-standing customers. We couldn't talk long since he was busy, but it was great to run into him again smiling from ear to ear seeing me there. Great people indeed. How was the food you might ask? Pretty damn good. We both ordered their fried catfish meals with sides (mine came with fries and sweet cornbread and Sophia's with mashed potatoes and gravy and mac-and-cheese). The fish was seasoned perfectly and was huge. It was big enough to cover a football field (just kidding). The fries, as always, tasted great and the cornbread was delish. The both of us ended up taking home leftovers where the food didn't lose any taste from before. It was so refreshing to stop by after so many years. And it was wonderful seeing Chef Moe continue to bring good vibes to the Norfolk community through his cooking. You know we'll be back soon. Till next time :)

I finally got a chance to try Mama's Kitchen in their new location, and I have to say, the new…read morebuilding is really nice and elegant. The atmosphere definitely makes a good first impression. As far as the food and customer service, everything was just okay for me. I ordered the shrimp, fish, crab cakes, and chicken wings. The crab cakes were mostly bread, which was a little disappointing. The wings were okay overall, but one of the wings was extremely feathery, so that definitely threw me off. One thing I would recommend is giving customers a little more sauce/condiments. I asked for vinegar to go with my shrimp, fish, and crab cakes, and I received what was basically a teaspoon of vinegar. I definitely needed more than that! I will say, I think I enjoyed Mama's Kitchen more at their previous location. I used to get a variety of their food (with the exception of the macaroni), and I remember enjoying it more. Maybe I just caught them on an off day, so I'd be willing to give them another try and see if my experience is different next time. Overall, the new location is beautiful, but the food was just okay for me this time around.

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Catfish Dinner with Collard Greens and Green Beans

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23 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Aiden B.

Elite 15

288

2 years ago

Classic neighborhood bar vibe with a fabulous rainbow twist that sets it apart from the rest. The food here is a pleasant surprise. While you might expect the typical pub grub, MJ's offers a menu that goes above and beyond such expectations. They have something to satisfy every craving. Plus, the portion sizes are very generous, ensuring you'll leave feeling satisfied. And don't forget to come check out the brunch menu on the weekend! The drink selection is also worth noting. They've got a solid lineup of beers on tap, including some local favorites, as well as a well-curated selection of cocktails and spirits. Whether you're in the mood for a classic Old Fashioned or something a bit more adventurous, the bartenders here know how to mix up a strong drink. The only aspect that keeps this review from being a perfect 5 stars is the occasional inconsistency in service. While the staff is generally friendly and attentive, there have been a few instances where orders took longer than expected or were mixed up. However, this hasn't deterred me from returning time and time again. Overall, MJ's is an inclusive haven that's well worth checking out. With their inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and diverse drink selection, it's the kind of place you'll want to visit again and again, whether you're grabbing a quick bite after work or settling in for a leisurely evening with friends, or having a group event, MJ's is a solid choice. read more

Paul D.

151

8 years ago

The lack of customer service and disrespect is disgraceful....This is the second time I've had this type of experience at this establishment Anyone who knows me, know I LOVE EVERYONE!! African Americans sometimes tolerate way more than we should, especially LGBT. For example, predominantly white clubs, bars, etc. Yesterday, I witnessed just how much MJ's Tavern located on Grandby street in Norfolk, VA does not care for us as a race. A friend of mine hit a few high notes as she was singing and was told to stop as it was annoying the bartender. My friend states she has done nothing wrong and sung again, and was asked to leave. We sing at this BAR ALL THE TIME, what made yesterday different? THIS TREATMENT MUST STOP AND IT STARTS WITH US!! Our money is just as good as the next and to be honest, we are the reason majority of these places REMAIN OPEN!! I felt so disrespected for my friend. I will no longer patronize venues where I am tolerated and not celebrated.... read more

Christian S.

Elite 18

279

4 years ago

Came in for lunch on a Monday afternoon. Was impressed with the menu offerings as there is a lot of variety and the prices are great. I ended up ordering a cup of tomato soup and a baked potato with bacon. The tomato soup is out-of-this-world good!! Found out it is made on site but I couldn't get the secret recipe. :-) I will definitely be back for that soup as well as some of the other yummy dishes they have. Friends ordered the spring roll appetizer (great!), the chef salad which was freakin' huge, and some sandwiches. Everyone was happy. Definitely worth a visit. Also proud to support an LGBT-owned, small, local business. read more

Michael M.

144

4 years ago

Alcohol is watered down. Watched the bartenders pour my drinks. They seemed heavy on the pour and the drinks tasted watered down and weak. I remained sober. Then I ordered shots for my friend to get tipsy faster. Drank crown apple straight as we always do and it was certainly watered down. All my friends knew it. Lastly, we walked out the door with drinks in our hands. The bouncer took them and wouldn't let us finish them. We had no idea we couldn't take them as we were visiting from out of state. He could have politely educated us of the policy and let us finish those drinks. read more

Pa R.

6 years ago

Went there yesterday with couple friends, bar wasn't packed, crew were good and friendly, decided to go to terrace because inside was really loud , we were sitting just next to smoking area when old crazy guy start screaming " don't smoke here, I told you 2 times and shit like this" after I accidentally put to my mouth my pod (like juul, works without any smells and clouds) after we are realize it was owner. So I don't want support some people who can't keep calm and talks this way to guests. read more

John R.

7 years ago

An African American male server insulted me greatly by saying "I hate the military!" He became quite combative. Without me confronting him back, he threatened to call the local police based on that statement because of my self-identification as a veteran. I just left. John Childers is condoning his actions 110% being WEAK AS WATER in all this matter. The staff here says they are friendly, but THEY are a bunch of DRAMA QUEENS just hoping for quick hookups later on. read more

Ed R. A.

11 years ago

My wife and I are regulars because we love the food, the service and the atmosphere. The owners really care about the business and the community. They will always welcome us and ask us how our meal was. They have a great menu. They add new items all the time. It's a fun time. Wednesday night trivia is a blast, too. Make sure to save room for dessert. read more

Jilly A.

15 years ago

Had a fabulous Valentines day night here with great food, great prices and lovely hosts. good to see there is somewhere local finally that you can take a load off. The prices are really reasonable and the noise is not too bad....all in all we were taken care of very well and the staff were very attentive. JillyQuilts/Norfolk Va read more

Diane F.

8 years ago

MJ's has the BEST steaks! Stephanie was our waitress and we wanted to invite her to pull up a chair and join us. She was amazing. It's tough to find a decent steak in town without spending $$$, but MJ's hit it out of the park. Specials every night too! read more

Janet J.

10 years ago

They have the best bbq pull chicken I've had in a long time. North Carolina style. Staff is great. Tuesday nights they have a bottomless spaghetti meal very good. If you love White Russian drinks definitely the place for you! read more

Matthew N.

10 years ago

This is place is such a fantastic bar for the LGBTQ Community. The drag shows are always my favorite. Trivia night is also fun after a couple drinks with your friends. Drinks always on point. read more

Eric M.

347

12 years ago

Mike and John are great owners who really know how to cater to their guests. The food is always delicious, the place is very clean and just is an all around joy to hang-out at. read more

Jeff G.

11 years ago

Best neighborhood tavern. Ever! Staff is great, prices are reasonable. I go there every week, usually more than once each week. Love it there! read more

Jackie K.

11 years ago

This place is the best bar to go to in this area! It's incredible cheap for you get! I have literally no complaints about this place!

Avery Q.

1 year ago

Friendly staff would be great. I like to my spend time & money with people that appreciate you as a guest not a annoicecess.

Charles H.

11 years ago

Its been a really a great enjoyment and the bar waiter Soan is really professional and friendly........thank you

Kelly S.

324

11 years ago

Great food, great service, everyone in there was just down for fun. Definitely worth checking out.

Jimmy H.

8 years ago

Had a great first rime. There was a Halloween costume party and it as great. Will be back!!

Joseph S.

4 years ago

The food & drinks was good. The service was good we'll be back soon. Like the place .

Scarlett T.

11 years ago

Best food ever!! Great service and atmosphere every time!!!

Mj's Tavern - gaybars - Updated September 2026

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Jerry's of Indian River is a Chesapeake institution. If you have not been there, you should…read moredefinitely check them out. The food is good and the service is great. They have a good variety on their menu but I like the beef tips, it's definitely one of my favorites.

Bayside Bar & Grill

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If you are looking for a dive bar on Shore Drive than this is your place. I do like a good dive…read morebar, not everyone does. It's in a shopping plaza so there is plenty of parking. It's dark inside - no natural light. Very friendly staff. Lots of TV's. They have booths and tables and of course a bar. They don't have HH - they have the same prices all night long and they are not expensive. The bathrooms were clean. We ordered the wings and loaded fries. I am no expert on wings but my husband really liked them. The bartender, Kaitlyn - with a K, is a walking billboard for them. She loves them and told us that she can't get them anywhere else now. How do you not order wings after hearing that endorsement?? Menu has plenty of options and a little for everybody.....even if you want a salad. Would I bring my mother here? Nope. But it's the kind of place you will be a regular after just a few visits. We left maybe around 8 ish and it definitely started getting louder with the music. I don't know what kind of crowd it is late night but when they open at 5 is definitely a chill place to go and grab a drink.

Really enjoy the friendly staff ...Kaitlin a manager bartender is the best. she always makes us…read morefeel like family when we come in with a Hello...basic bar food always prepared well... happy hour drinks all day!

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Stopped in for a drink and was immediately reminded of the dive bars I went to in my youth! Not a…read morebad experience, but a good description of what I was met with. The bartender was excellent and friendly. Patrons were engaging and easy to chat with. Prices were reasonable as well.

Came here on a Thursday night looking for food since everything else in the area was closed. Was…read morepleasantly surprised to walk in on karaoke night. We ordered drinks, wings & pizza. I wouldn't order the pizza again but the karaoke show made up for everything the pizza was lacking. The bar tenders were both lovely & chatty & gave us the low down on the schedule for the week. Will definitely be back for the wings & good time.

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