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    The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery

    3.7 (301 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    THE VANGUARD BREWPUB & DISTILLERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery

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    Jan. 2026 $5 until 5 PM menu.
    Dan P.

    The Vanguard is always a mixed bag. Ordering a drink on a busy night is the worst. They need a dedicated order line. No idea why they don't have one. It's just a horrible experience as is. They need to go to Precarious and see how they do it. Their food is generally good to great. They have a $5 before 5 app and drink special menu that is a really good deal. Nice spot for adults to have some drinks. Just be patient as service is generally slow. Now onto my recent experience.... I suggested it to some friends who wanted to grab some beers on MLK day which was a Monday. There were 4 of us guys and 7 kids. It's a lot. I get it. They weren't overly busy. Maybe a quarter full. I tried to keep the kids away from other tables by giving them boundaries. They were not happy with us. They didn't like the kids being outside in their patio (freezing, no one out there) etc. The one server was getting destroyed. She had just like 6 tables, but a 16 top. I felt badly for her. Our drinks correspondingly took about 20-30 minutes each time we tried to order. She was nice when she could get to us. At one point a person who said they were a manager, I think she said her name was Hannah, came over and said the kids couldn't be going around (again, I had boundaries not by any other patrons etc. from what I could see they were honoring them, but who knows), anyway she asked if we could keep them by us, which is fine. I then asked her if I could put in a beer and app order as I had been waiting for our server with an empty beer for at least 20 minutes. Instead of taking the order and ringing it in, she said she'd send the server over and disappeared never to be seen again. 5 minutes Iater the server was able to get free from her big table and get our beer orders and food in. Several items were forgot, but at this point we were kind of over it. Just not really your typical relaxed brewery vibe. Felt like they wanted it to be more of a sit down restaurant. That big long story to say it's not a spot for kids. Overall food and drinks are solid. Beer is solidly middle of the pack for Peninsula. Management needs some work.

    Diane M.

    I held an event here on Saturday evening and let me tell you they rolled out the red carpet for us. My sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was in Hampton to see a performance by Wanda Sykes a world renowned comedian and graduate of Hampton University where we all attended and graduated from as well. The placement where they sat us up was wonderful. The food was amazing!!!!!! Our server was fantastic. The manager was so accommodating giving us forks and plates for a birthday cake we brought in. I have heard so many wonderful things about this place and they did not disappoint. The place is huge and on the weekend even has a band!!!!! Everyone was so pleased. It was at least 40 of us and they handled the entire group. Food served piping hot and nice quantities.

    Raw meat in tacos
    Jade H.

    Ordered takeout from Vanguard and was unfortunately served raw meat in my bulgogi tacos. Taste was decent until I found the meat had an unusual texture which caused me to check and it wasn't just one piece, it was the majority. I took it back and they offered to make something else which was nice but just opted for a refund after the experience. Just check your food!

    So. Much. Salt.
    Kimber R.

    Our service couldn't have been better. Our server was so helpful and seemed like she truly loved her job. She made small talk and made some great suggestions. Inside is massive. I love the old building turned into something new vibe, and while it seems weird to mention, the bathroom was big and really impressive! I got the soup special of the day, which was buffalo chicken and SO good. It was like a wing in soup form. I also got the pretzel with cheese and while it was good....it was absolutely covered in salt. I had to spend a good amount of time desalting it to make it even close to edible. It once again was tasty after I did that, but I shouldn't have had to. The server was super sweet when I mentioned it, and said she would tell the kitchen. I was only in the area visiting, but I'll make sure I mention it to anyone I know will be in that area.

    Behind the scenes foto (very cool!)
    Jessica L.

    I went for "The Prince Project" (summer, 2024) and paid extra for the VIP section, only to leave after 2-3 hours of no Prince project. The seating was not great (we were in the first come, first seat balcony/VIP area), and the only good thing about it was we had our own walk up bar. I'm not sure what was going on that night, but I couldn't get ahold of anyone about my tickets before or during, as I was wanting to know if we would ever see the Prince project for the $100 I spent. There was never a response, and I was highly disappointed. We got there around 6 and left around 8:30/9. I've been to the vanguard before, but this experience negated any good things about it, as it seemed chaotic & unorganized. Very disappointing & unorganized, and I'll be hesitant to pay for anything here again with the lack of communication. I will say we did end up ordering food and at behind the bar, which was a fun experience (even though not $100 worth and never seeing anything Prince related). That's the 2 stars- bar staff was nice & the food was good.

    Selwyn
    Andy C.

    Great intro to an amazing music venue which serves excellent food and quality brews. We visited Vanguard last night for a blues show featuring local talent Jason Cale and the amazing Selwyn Birchwood out of Florida. The stage setup provides a great closeup view of the bands and tho the historic brick structure bounces the sound a bit, it also adds a raw element to the music. I liked it... a lot! Room to dance or get up close as you wish. Food was surprisingly topnotch with the jambalaya and Bulgogi beef bowl rated 5stars for quality ingredients and nuanced flavors. Way above average for a micro brewery. And the beers were excellent, but that part we knew coming in from the Vanguard's active role in local events and award winning offerings. Def worth the trip from VB. Get you summadat!

    Henry P.

    Got to try a advanced shot sample And really like the bourbon so I bought one The bartender and waitstaff provided excellent service Will be back when in town

    Kim L.

    6 years later and finally came back to try the food! The food was pretty tasty. We had the Pickle Chips, Chicken Spinach Mushroom Alfredo flatbread, and the Short Rib grilled cheese, and the Vanguard burger. I ordered a fish n chips to go (and my ol man really liked it). The server was very friendly and pretty spot on. There was a band that was playing which was a nice surprise. Will be back sooner than later to try their brunch menu!

    The Vanguard is located in historic downtown Hampton and has a large room as well as comfortable lounge, sitting area behind the bar and an extra room with tables and chairs. The food was good and plentiful. Ashley, the event planner, worked with us and helped to make the party a great success. A bar was provide with two bartenders who served beer,wine, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. I can't give enough praise for this establishment. Everyone had a wonderful time.

    Chelsi U.

    This brewery is a pretty large building in downtown Hampton. I came here to meet a friend and try a new place. There is no happy hour here. So keep that in mind when you come. There was a cornhole tournament going on while we were there too, which was kinda cool. We decided to order a couple apps to share. We were interested in the salmon bites and the house wings. 6 wings came in their house bourbon sauce for $13 and they were pretty good. The salmon bites were disappointing to say the least. We thought we'd get more than three tiny balls for $10. We just stared at them when they got to the table like...wait is this it? lol. They were pretty good but I wouldn't order them again. Their sour beer on tap was pretty dang delicious. I'm a sour beer fan and that was one I'd go back for, if I were just going to drink. Other than that, it was a fun outing but we'd go elsewhere for apps.

    Country Fried Chicken
    Ashley D.

    Today we decided to try something new for dinner. The service was great! Our food came out very fast. Very spacious on the inside, and they must host some sort of dance classes as Salsa was being taught today. There is a good amount of bar space, tables, as well as a stage and dance floor. Food: butterfly shrimp and fries were amazing. Seasoned well. Country Fried Chicken was really good. How ever, the green beans could use a little salt, and the potatoes were over cooked. The green apple cobbler stole the show! It was sooo good. I would definitely return.

    Ariyana P.

    Back in October, a buddy, my boyfriend, and I decided to try The Vanguard for brunch before homecoming. We picked this location since it was still close to campus but we expected it to be less crowded since it was also gameday. We were, indeed, correct. It wasn't very crowded while we were there. The venue is huge! Before they acquired it and transformed it into a restaurant, it was an abandoned military bunker. Bottomless mimosas and fried pickles were our first course. Both were fantastic, and I think I had three rounds of mimosas. Our waitress was quite kind and helpful, and she made several visits to check on us. I had a Vegi omelette, which was average and could have used more flavor. My friend had fried chicken bites with fries and my partner went with the grilled chicken sandwich with fries; both were happy. I'd love to return on a night when they have live acts because I'm sure the place gets busy later on such occasions.

    Smoked Buffalo Lemon Pepper Wings

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    Ask the Community - The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery

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    One of my favorite things to do when it's nice out is go to a brewery, restaurant, or park and sit…read moreoutside! Tonight my sister took me to Elation Brewing, and I will absolutely be back! Elation Brewing has a huge indoor and outdoor area with plenty of different styles of seating! It is family and pet friendly, and they have fire pits for cooler days/nights. I love that the inside still has huge open windows to allow that fresh cross breeze in. They are known for their pizza, but they also have a variety of other things to eat on their menu. There is also a number of different beers, seltzers, IPAs, and wines to try. Tonight I had the White Cranberry Sangria from Water's Edge Winery (also in Norfolk) and the Downeast Black Cherry! While both were really good, I prefer the Downeast because it was sparkling and just more refreshing. We also had the bacon Gouda pizza and the Hive pizza with hot honey. Both were great! I had never had a hot honey pizza but would definitely get it again! Tonight was trivia night and they had a good size crowd come out. I like that you could actually hear the questions despite so many people. A lot of times I can barely hear! Also inside the same place is Voyager Coffee. They're only open 7-4. I would love to give them a try. Oh and Elation does offer military discount but only on their to-go beers! The ONLY reason I did not give Elation five star is because I wish they had actual servers. You have to go up to the counter to order each time, and the lines get pretty long. Being able to order from the table, even if from a QR code where you could order and pay online would be a plus. Lastly, for such a large space, the parking lot is tiny. You'd either have to find street parking or there is additional parking at the CEO building on Colley.

    Elation Brewing has a fantastic atmosphere. The space is large and open with an airy indoor layout…read moreand plenty of outdoor seating. It's the kind of place that works for almost any occasion, whether you're hanging out with a big group, grabbing a drink solo, or meeting up for a casual date. There are lots of different seating options, which makes the space feel flexible and comfortable. They also host live music and trivia on certain nights, which adds to the overall vibe. I went on a Sunday around 6:30pm. It wasn't crowded, but there was still a good crowd if that makes sense. It felt lively without being packed. Their drink selection is great. They have plenty of beer options, but also serve wine, seltzers, cider, and non alcoholic drinks, which I really appreciate since I'm not much of a beer person. I ordered the frozen rosé slushie in wild raspberry and it was strong. I also had the black cherry fruited cider, which was delicious. For food, I ordered The Hive pizza and it was excellent. The crust was thin-ish and tasted homemade, and the ingredients were clearly high quality. No complaints at all. Service was friendly and efficient, and the bathrooms were very clean. Random detail, but the toilet paper was noticeably better quality than what you usually find in bars. It was not plush, but strong and not paper thin. Overall, I loved the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, and the service. I will definitely be back.

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    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

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    I think this place deserves a lot more recognition! I enjoyed my time here. Service was great, the…read morelook of the restaurant was very clean, modern and spacious. We started off with the appetizer sampler and it was good. I would say skip the spinach dip; it wasn't cheesy it was more like a sauce. Mozzarella sticks were good quality but wasn't more than a regular mozzarella stick but the wings?! Yea next time I'm going straight for the wings, they were crispy not rubbery at all. The fat was nicely rendered down and they were still juicy. Even my wife cleaned the bones and she never does lol. For entrees I built my own flatbread with pepperoni bacon and onion, 10/10. If you love pepperoni's make sure to get that because they load it up. My wife got the brewhouse chicken which was good, the chicken could've used a better sear on it but it was still tender, nice lemon flavored sauce to contrast with the savory potatoes. Give them a try! I'll definitely be back

    We had a reservation for 6 family members. When we arrived…read morethere was lots of open sitting , but we had to wait for the staff to clean a booth. After we set down no one waited on us for 15 -20 minutes. After we ordered we waited another 30-40 minutes for our food come out. We had ordered our dessert at the time we ordered the food , but we had to reorder and wait another 20 minutes. We were there a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It was a horrible experience, and we won't be going back. The restaurant was only about 1/2full. Now i understand why.

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    COVA Brewing Company

    COVA Brewing Company

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    We recently stopped by COVA Brewing Company after visiting the nearby Farmers Market…read more Although they were quite busy, the staff kept the line moving efficiently and service was surprisingly quick. They offer a great selection of coffee and espresso-based drinks, along with a variety of baked goods if you're looking for a snack. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions or make recommendations for those who may be undecided. Overall, we had a great experience and look forward to returning the next time we're in the area.

    Wow! COVA Brewing it's been so long and finally! I frequent the area and feel bad I've neglected…read morethis awesome Norfolk establishment for so long. This review actually has two great businesses because I visited Klassic Doughnut's food truck too! Ok first things first. Every Wednesday through this Summer Klassic Doughnuts food stand will be available at COVA 8-11 AM. They are in my opinion the best cake doughnuts in our area. They are a major draw for COVA. I purchased a few to go. With COVA I specifically wanted to try their coffee. I was blown away upon arrival to see their outdoor space. It's huge and beautiful. On a weekday at 11 AM without school even out was busy! The counter service was helpful and friendly. I told the staff I wanted a black coffee and was directed to what beans were being offered. I opted for an Ethiopian pour over. The coffee comes in a large and priced competitive. It took a bit with being busy and a pour over, but boy was the wait worth it. Probably the best coffee I've had in any recent memory and I drink a lot of coffee. The space inside is compact, but they offer a side patio that's covered too! COVA is late to offering coffee, maybe 5 years or so. However, they are established with brewing award winning beer. I chatted with a female brewer a minute who was so sweet and invited me back for a glass. They also have a bakery case with offerings that looked good. So I need to return. So exciting to share such a gem in East Beach. Parking may be an issue, but off street neighborhood streets are available.

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    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News

    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News

    3.9
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    9.5 mi
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    Good pizza for Newport News. I really like the soft fluffy dough. We got a medium pepperoni with…read morebacon, the house special, pacific rim, and kosmic karma. My favorite was either the kosmic karma or pacific rim, and thats coming from a meat eater. The kosmic karma was super juicy. Along with the sauce and other toppings, there were tomatoes added on top which oozed with juice and flavor. It blended well with the other vegetables and sauciness of the entire pizza. I also really liked the Pacific Rim maybe because I like pineapple or because it felt really balanced. The peppers added a nice hint of acidity and spice giving an overall bright flavor profile. The deluxe and the meat pizza we got was not bad either. I enjoy both of them, but just not as much as the other two. They were still very well executed. All the pizzas had great crust and whatever they put in the Parmesan cheese made the crust taste so good. If you like soft, fluffy crust, then this place will be amazing for you. Atmosphere is very unique. The booths were in a teacup shaped area. We unfortunately could not sit there because our party was too big, but atmosphere of the entire restaurant general was quite nice and open. It didn't feel claustrophobic at all and gave a very casual vibe. The service was also quick and fast and they made sure to top off our water whenever we needed it. I wouldn't hesitate coming back here for another bite. Some of the better pizza I've had around Newport News.

    Great pizza, and I love that you can customize half the pie, which is perfect if you want to try…read moredifferent toppings. I went with a classic pepperoni and added peppers and a hot honey drizzle, which turned out really great! A large was definitely enough for two people with some leftovers. That said, the prices caught me a little off guard. I expect to pay about $20 for a large, but in the $25+ range, it starts to feel a bit steep.

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    The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery - brewpubs - Updated August 2026

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