This is probably my favorite concert venue. You get to be super close to the performers, there really isn't a bad seat in the house, it's smoke free, and just a cool place. It's kind of a dive, don't wear your nice shoes, but awesome for rock shows. I've seen a fair amount of crowd surfing/moshing so...I guess it depends on the show. read more

First time at an event here, the venue was fine considering the amount of space and the layout reminded me of The House of Blues. The bar was quaint with a few specials and it was definitely at capacity. I ordered a drink and service was good so for the venue itself I give it five stars. For the concert (Tory Lanez) I was disappointed it only lasted 45 minutes and he sang about four or five songs I can't remember. So because of this I give my experience a four out of five stars but I will definitely return for another concert. read more

i liked this place a lot. good sound, nice size, and i hear they treat the bands really well (a lot of luxuries backstage). they don't allow crowdsurfing, which is GREAT, because anyone with sense knows it's a dumbass thing to do. you ruin the show for other people, so just, stay in the crowd and do your thing IN PLACE. will call is messed up. i was about 8th in line, which would surely have secured me a place in the front row, but will call was eventually separated from regular ticket holders, and we were let in after. :/ also, water is $2 in a plastic cup, and the asshole staff wouldn't let me take it outside. i felt like telling them there was no way in hell they were going to tell me what to do with something i had paid for. the staff is quite rude, but the venue itself is pretty awesome. read more

Terrible, Security speaks to their patrons like sht Every time I've been here I've either been threatened or been kicked for something other venues are cool with. I mean come on the building the Norva is in isn't even that grand. A friend of mine got kicked out for crowd surfing no warning. When you at a metal show or any rock show sht like surfing and moshing happens it's what makes rock just that ROCK! So I won't be going back I'll make the drive to Richmond or Washington to hell with the norva. Rolling Stones need to chill out ranking them in the top of the nation I've been to so many better venues. read more

two shows here; Bad Fish was awesome. wasn't too crowded, had room to mosh, didn't have to push past people to get anywhere. Great show. 2nd show, Breaking Benjie, wayyyyyyyyyy to crowded. couple guys tried to mosh and everyone was just too close together and not the right type of crowd for it anyway. could barely move from my spot the entire show, if i had i wouldn't of ever got back to it i'm sure. i don't think this was quite up to fire regulations TBH there was way too many people in this small ass floor. so, it's kind of a what works what doesn't: if the show isn't packed from stage to entrance and you have some room to move yah you will have a good time. otherwise, might've rather stayed home. read more

I just experienced this place it was whatever. I think I've been to many fantastic clubs throughout my life. Like the knitting factory kills this place and the knitting is even not that good compared to another places throughout the LA scene. First off, You can't crowd surf you can't mosh because the bouncers are quick to kick your ass out. I know this because I have a couple friends working there. I would have to say it is the best club around Virginia Beach, Hampton and Norfolk but only because there is no other clubs. Sure its intimate but it sucks when you have a asshole security guard looking at you not being able to do stuff. read more

They have some pretty good artists that come to the venue but the drink prices here are ridiculous. I paid $30 for 2 mixed drinks. So over priced in my opinion. read more

Best venue I've been to. As for the no crowd surfing/no moshing policy it must be 1 in 100 because I've seen both at every show I've been to. Only time I saw a guy get hauled out was for straight up sucker punching a guy. Ill Nino had the best show here. Wish I was still in VA to go here. read more

Cool venue. The bartenders/bouncers, etc, were all very friendly and helpful. One of the cleanest bathrooms I've seen when it comes to music venues! read more

Drinks are stupid expensive, but that's hardly surprising. The venue is on the smaller side, but that makes for a more intimate concert experience. I've never had a problem here. read more

i have seen so many great bands at the place. Richmond has a place like the Norva and i perfer them to bigger places. I was a boathouse person back in the day and would have loved to see tool, korn, deftones, garbage, and so many other bands at the Norva. read more

We drove up from Durham, NC and saw Michael Franti and Spearhead on 7.26.12 Great venue. Clean (altho loud) sound. GA so you're definitely on your feet and dancing. They do have about a dozen cafe tables and stools, but when we walked in those were all taken. Get there early if you want to sit. Staff is friendly and welcoming. Starr Hill Brewery on tap $7. Not the cheapest, but at least it's good beer. My wife was thrilled with amount of women's bathrooms--no missing your favorite song waiting in line! read more

The best venue in this area for live music in this area!! LOVE seeing shows here! Intimate and awesome sound quality.

Compared to all other music venues, it is ok, compared to The National in Richmond, it rates a 1. We've been to most venues from DC to Norfolk for music, but we see most of them at The National, sister club to the Norva. 52 shows so far at the National. Last night we went to the Norva for the first time to see Echo and the Bunnymen and Violent Femmes who are co-headlining the shows, VF played headline last night. We like them both, but were really there to see the Bunnymen. We could not get sold out tickets at the National. We got there just as they started. We were very excited to be at the Norva, which is older and better rated than the National. We moved all around the club trying to find a spot where I could see, ended up by the bar downstairs. I could see but the entire crowd was talking way over the weak sound down there. It was clear nobody was there to see the first band. They all had really bad concert manners, it was terrible. We went upstairs at the end of the show, where I couldn't see but at least hear the music better. I think my very tall husband could see a little bit. In between shows we found a place where I could see a little bit, but then all the people that had left the area came back and literally pushed us out. There ended up being a big fight in the first row of people in front of us at the balcony. There were all middle aged suburban people that I don't think go to many concerts, but they all showed up last night. There were many large groups together talking over the bands, and ticket scalper we kept running into schmoozing with all her clients. Yuck. We will not ever come back, even though it is probably not the typical experience. See my review of The National for a contrast. read more

Always had a great time here. Good staff, great location, reasonable prices. Great selection of performers, bands, and DJs!

I have been to several shows...the last one being The Crystal Method. That was a pretty awesome techno show. I usually hang out in the VIP bar for a drink and then head out to the show! They get some good shows through there. The only bad experience I remember having there was when I was sitting in a stool in V.I.P and some drunk chicks were banging the chair and spilling some of the beer on me-but that was a long time ago and I can't even remember the show...I saw Evanescence way back in the day, Pat Benatar, and it is true that there isn't a bad spot in the place and you can see the stage and act from virtually anywhere. read more

We went to The Norva for Interpol this past weekend and it was a great experience. The bathrooms were clean, bartenders were quick, and the sound was fantastic. We drove all the way from Charlotte, NC (6 hours) and it was worth it 100%. The restaurant in the back of it (Backstage) also had very good food. read more

I have both performed here and gone to countless shows here. I really enjoy the acts and intimacy of the club. however, i feel with lack of real competition in the area with the closing of every other club but large arena's the service and prices are poor. however, if you want to know the secret of this place, check out the national. it is their venue in richmond, virginia. same price and acts but the setting and options of seating and lay out of the floor is unmatched anywhere read more

Drinks are expensive, but they are at any venue. I like this venue because it feels like you get so close to the band. The sound its great.

Great venue! Good location. Will def go back. Staff was friendly, bartenders were efficient.

Nice venue, drink prices were way too high. It wasn't worth the money for a 6 dollar bud light

The venue is great for seeing a show and the alcohol prices are responsible, the reason for two stars is the fact that I was charged $3 for a soda water with a lime. This is outrageous. I get it, the cup, the water, the slice of lime all costs money, but $3?! Limes only cost 50 cents, you know how I know this bc I buy limes all the fucking time. charging people $3 for water is crazy, this isn't the apocalypse where water is a rationed resource. 50 cents maybe a $1 is responsible to cover your cost and create an environment where people can drink water in between their beers or DD's who want something to drink. read more

Great venue, small, but perfect. Good mix of shows, but lacks electronic music which is a ever growing genre. I would like to see more DJ's events. read more

Koo little venue. The crowd had some pretty nice vibes to it. We went here to check out datsik and delta heavy. Datsik came on around 12 and pretty much destroyed the crowd with his vortex. What was really dope was datsik chilled afterwards and talked to all the fans. The only bad thing is that this venue needs to book more edm artists. However, excision will be there in April so ill definitley be attending that. But the venue definitely has a lot of potential. read more

Love this place! seen alot of good bands pass by here. wish the beer could be cheaper but hey the bands make it all worth it!

The NorVa is pretty much my favorite venue EVER!!! I've seen some awesome acts here in the five months I've been living in VA: GWAR, a bangin' trap festival, & Filter/Combichrist/Coal Chamber. The ticket prices are incredibly reasonable--I just moved from NY, and tickets for these shows would have cost over twice as much up there! The NorVa is such a friendly, congenial place--- everyone I've ever interacted with has been incredibly helpful, be it the customer-service-focused, go-the-extra-mile general manager, the convivial bar & security staff, or the sweetly friendly bartenders at the associated FM restaurant on Granby St. I like to peruse their website just to see who's coming into town, and again, ticket prices being as low as they are, am planning on using the NorVa as a place to not only see my favorite artists, but also to discover new acts that pique my interest. If I had one teensy suggestion (and this would be for any place that has an outdoor smoking section, as I haven't seen anyone taking this into consideration at any venue), it would be to make a loosely-defined, three-section smoking section: one for tobacco smokers, a mixed section by the door for smokers & vapers together, and one towards the street for vapers only. While it may seem counterintuitive, there's a lot of vapers out there who have as little tolerance for cigarette smoke as nonsmokers do. I think this would be a thoughtful alteration for establishments everywhere. There's a lot of things we waste our money on nowadays: clothes we don't have space for, crap we don't need that just clutters up our houses, a million other things that are totally superfluous fabrications of our BS "live buy consume die" conspicuous-consumption lifestyles. If there's one thing I'm going to spend money on, it's going to be to support artists & a great local business-- all while having a blast enjoying live music! read more

The Norva is such a weird venue. There's standing room only on the floor level and minimal viewing spots leaning over the railing on the 2nd level. Took my daughter to see The Last Bison and waited an hour to see the opener and another hour for the opening act. We found some empty railing on the 2nd level overlooking the standing crowd on the floor. I've got a bad back, so in between the opening act and the headliner, we sat on some barstools (away from the railing--giving up our spots) and my daughter put her head down to rest, when one of the bouncer guys came up to her and said, "Just as long as you don't fall asleep." Really? If I paid to see the show, it's my prerogative to put my head down to rest, especially if it's taking a frikin hour in the middle of the evening to put the headlining show on its feet! read more

I really enjoyed The NorVa in the 2000's. You could look at the list of bands that were coming to play there, and easily know who half of them were. But the 2010's have been a different story. These days, I think the NorVa's band booking doesn't hold a candle to the 1990's at the Boathouse. I don't pretend to know why. Maybe they hired someone really young to book bands? Maybe they are in a tough economic position and lean toward cheaper booking? All the same, I think it's sad that they don't broaden their choices, which (as opinions go), is completely lackluster to me. They have all but lost me as a paying customer. It has nothing to do with their staff, as I've never ever had a run in with any of them. It has nothing to do with their prices, although they are expensive if you plan on drinking alcohol (good stuff on tap, but you could buy a six pack of it at the grocery store, for the price of one beer). The place is intimate, but I sometimes wonder if popular bands (when they are booked), are overbooked to the point of safety concern. Sure, the floor is sometimes sticky...but it is fairly dark in there and there is generally a lot of booze moving all over the floor (which will get spilled when moving through the crowd). Bathrooms are pretty clean, they keep on top of things in that department. The NorVa was recently voted as Rolling Stones top small venue in the country to see a band. I voted for it...twice. But I don't think I will be doing that again. It seems to me that ever since The NorVa became so interested in being so popular countrywide, that I notice so many well known bands skipping right over Virginia. I can't tell you how many times I see a great bands tour dates go from the Ram's Head in Baltimore, skip Virginia...and play next in North Carolina. It's infuriating. Just my opinion, but I miss the Boathouse. read more

Horrible, just horrible... Especially for rock concerts!!!! At first I was excited about the venue but then I was there for awhile and the crowd was boring until I realized that the bouncers wouldn't let ANYONE do anything like dance/ crowd surf/ or anything.... I mean who just stands around at a hard rock concert and has fun!?? I don't. And neither did anyone else last night from what everyone was saying around me in the show. Then a bouncer was escorting a guy out and then body slammed him on the floor!!! I mean yeah the guy was putting up somewhat of a fight but you don't need to body slam him, and by the way, the guy had fractured his pelvis from it!! Ambulance came and everything. So this was my experience and now I hate this venue. So hopefully you enjoy it better than I did.... read more

You know, I was humming and hawing (probably not the spelling for either, but I'll risk it) on whether to go four or five stars, just because my husband complained about the price of drinks and the lack of seats, but I'll take the plunge. I fell in love with this place tonight, after the Robert Earl Keen concert. It is a beautiful venue with a VIP area upstairs with seating and it's own bar, a backstage area (both of which, I did not have the pleasure of checking out up close), and the downstairs, main floor. There was some seating, but arrive early if you want to secure a spot. My health says that probably would have been smart, but the country gal in me said, who are you kidding?? You are at a concert...get right up at that stage...so that is what we did!! The sound quality was terrific, the staff were über friendly...door, security, bar staff (yes, ALL off them, which is a rarity), and okay, the beers were $6-7, but who cares when everything else is perfect? Oh dear lovely Norva...please...PLEASE bring more country music...preferably Texas country music back to your bar. Think of all of us sad, displaced military families, desperate for a taste of home ;) Thank you SO much for tonight!!! read more

Are you kidding me? At a local band show, and there is "no moshing or dancing". What happened to this country? Crying shame

Unless youre acting like a fuckin moron you wont have problems with the security. I am 100lbs 5'2'' and theyve always been really helpful to me when I needed it... the drinks are exoensive as to be expected at ANY venue, but the show will be intimate, energy filled, and youll have top notch view and sound from anywhere in the venue. Also...chances are good of u getting to meet any band u want at the norva. I love this place SO MUCH. EVERYONE comes ti the norva. Its a staple, and the day they close the doors I will truly cry. Every amazing show ive ever seen has been here. the dont tolerate moshing or crowd surfing... but I appreciate that. the only people having fun because of that is you, while girls and smaller people are being crushed. we came to see a band, not get our ribs broken or have some fat sweaty ass rolling over our faces while were trying to watch the show. the norva is the place to be, trust me on that! read more

Worst venue ever!!! They truly do not care about safety. But hey if you know a security guard apparently you can do what ever you like. I wouldn't waste the money going to this venue. read more

Don't check your items in the coat check, might not be there when you return at the end of the show. The check girl who took my $3 and gave me the claim ticket said she didn't give me the ticket when I came back to get my hoodie. She kept trying to give me other random hoodies. no help from the securtiy staff either! They took my name & number and said they'd call me if it turns up. Yeah right! Someone got a $60 hoodie for free and I had to walk back to my car in 20 degree weather without a hoodie! Morons!!!! read more

I must say I still get sad when I come here b/c I was a longtime member of the Downtown Athletic Club (and can still envision the machines all around). I definitely think this place has character - the exposed brick really makes it neat. My favorite thing is the no smoking part... It it is good place to see a show. read more

I always enjoy going to shows at the Norva. The audio is great & the setting is intimate enough that small bands often stay around & chat. Much better experience than the Ted Constant Center. read more

this is a great venue for shows. you get some killer bands here. prices are always cheap. the worst is the price for booze. so pre-game. so don't be a fool and come to the norva! read more

Sadly I only been to the norVA one time and I'm 22 and been living in Virginia all my life . Where have I been !!My first time going was the Travis Scott / young thug concert . First it was easy to park right at the MacArthur center . This was one the best concerts I've been to . The surround sound was good an I could see everything clear from the top balcony standing right behind VIP . I could see the riot going on the first floor people passing out and everything . I couldn't imagine being down there standing still everyone was moving and it was just crazy . The first few minutes of the show I was standing still and I begin to sweat lol . I loosened up with the crowd soon after the show started and I promise when I left my shirt was wet front a back . The norVA puts you in a zone . read more

I saw 10 or so concerts here. The Norva is a much more intimate venue than any other in the vicinity. I've been right up next to the stage for several shows. The sound is so-so. Artists generally have to signal to the engineer in the back to adjust the mix throughout the first few songs. The venue is pretty simple (there are a couple of blurry TVs and projectors) but the bar always has a good selection of beers, including microbrews. A surprisingly good concert venue for the area. read more

I love the Norva staff! The last time I was here, the staff went above and beyond to make sure my friend and I were comfortable. The venue is clean and they bring a variety of different artists. read more