There’s no doubt that Virginia Beach is an incredible spot to get outdoors, with opportunities for kayaking, surfing, hiking and so much more. But you don’t have to be active to enjoy the Virginia Beach sunshine. As a matter of fact, with patio drinking, you can be as laidback as you please, while still enjoying the signature salty breeze. From rooftop bars to Oceanfront lounges, here are a few great places to enjoy drinks outside in Virginia Beach.
Chix on the Beach
A quintessential Virginia Beach bar, Chix has been an Oceanfront staple for decades. It’s one of the best places to get the mid-Atlantic’s most iconic cocktail, the Orange Crush. These boozy, orange juice-based drinks are sweet, tangy and refreshing – perfect for sipping under the summer sun on the Chix patio. If that doesn’t sound like you’re kind of drink, no problem. This Oceanfront Virginia Beach bar has an extensive cocktail menu featuring mules, margaritas, martinis and more.
The Shack
There’s no doubt that The Shack is one of the best places for outdoor dining in Virginia Beach. It really does have it all – great drinks, delicious food, lawn games and a location just a block from the iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk. You can easily spend hours here, playing games of cornhole, munching on crab cakes and sipping on Orange Crushes and spiked lemonades between rounds.
As an added bonus, The Shack often puts on evening events, from DJ sets to bachata classes. If you’re not quite ready to head back to your accommodation, it’s a great venue to experience a bit of nightlife in Virginia Beach.
New Realm Brewing Company
Many Virginia Beach breweries have ample outdoor seating, and New Realm Brewing Company is no exception – as a matter of fact, it may have the biggest lawn in town. Its outdoor space feels like a park of its own, with Adirondack chairs, cornhole and firepits. The brewery even hosts its fair share of ticketed live music performances, to give you an even better idea of the size. Sounds like the ideal environment to sip on a signature amber lager or a hoppy IPA, right?
Rudee’s on the Inlet
Tucked into the small fishing community of Rudee Inlet, Rudee’s on the Inlet offers one of the best waterfront bar experiences in all of Virginia Beach. While the fresh seafood is a draw, the real magic lies in their open-air deck that features gliding cabana booths. Add a drink from their charmingly named “Docktail” menu to really round out the patio drinking experience.
Becca
Elevate your patio-drinking experience in Virginia Beach with a visit to Becca. Located in the Historic Cavalier Hotel, Becca is a modern garden-to-table eatery that uses locally sourced ingredients – including produce grown in the on-site garden. But the theming doesn’t stop there. You too can sit amongst lush greenery on the outdoor patio, where hedges and vines create beautiful arches and wrought-iron lighting dangles from above. Order a signature farm-to-table plate, and pair it with an equally nature-inspired cocktail, like the basil-forward Garden Sour or the Lavender Lemon Drop Martini.
Commonwealth Brewing Co.
Commonwealth Brewing Co., a favorite local hangout among the Chic’s Beach crowd, is draining their taps out of an old renovated firehouse. Its rad location is just the beginning – add a sun-drenched patio, wood-fired pizzas and dozens of beer options, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a laid-back afternoon! Plus, this Virginia Beach outdoor bar is pet-friendly, so bring the pups and stay a while.
O Bar (Orion’s Roof)
Orion’s Roof at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort has become a popular place for an Asian-fusion meal and ocean views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows – so popular in fact, that you’ll likely need to make a reservation in advance. The O Bar, on the other hand, is Orion’s Roof’s lesser-known counterpart, and it’s easy enough to snag a seat there.
Located on the outdoor terrace of Orion’s Roof, the O Bar is arguably the best rooftop bar in Virginia Beach. From this 23rd floor perch, you can take in gorgeous views of the Atlantic, with Asian-inspired drinks in hand. Try the Japanese old fashioned for a new take on a classic, or the lychee-forward House of the Rising Sun for something fruity. Even better, you can pair your drinks with sushi rolls, yuzu salt-dusted edamame or other small plates while taking in the view.
The Back Deck
At The Back Deck, you won’t just be looking out at the water, you’ll be hovering over it. The restaurant and bar’s eponymous wooden deck juts out over the Lynnhaven Inlet, making it one of the best outdoor dining options in Virginia Beach. Order some crab dip, a flatbread pizza and a grapefruit vodka-based Back Decker cocktail and soak up the sunshine for a couple of hours.
Aslin Beer Company
Aslin Beer Company is an absolute vibe. While there is indoor seating, you’ll want to head to the grassy outdoor section, where brightly colored Adirondack chairs, cozy firepits, mural-covered walls and repurposed shipping containers create a vibrant backdrop for an afternoon drink. Along with the stellar lineup of experimental brews, you’ll often find live music and packed trivia nights. In the years since it opened, Aslin Beer Company has really started to feel like a beloved community hub.
The Porch on Long Creek
Tucked away in the Chesapeake Bay region, The Porch on Long Creek is a gem of a restaurant and patio bar in Virginia Beach. Right on the calm little waterway known as Long Creek, this eatery has a spacious wrap-around deck, perfect for getting the best views of the water and the sunset. Treat yourself to a tangy slice of key lime pie or a mouthwatering Pineapple Upside Down Cake Crush cocktail. Even better, stop by on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to enjoy one of the best happy hours in Virginia Beach.
Baja Restaurant
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront? Venture to the Baja Restaurant in Sandbridge. This quiet spot is set right on a marsh and is perfect for sunset watching. Just picture it: a fruity Baja Sunset drink in hand, and a plate of she-crab soup–smothered fries just within reach. If you’re lucky, you might even get to listen to some lovely live music at this Virginia Beach bar too.
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Written by Sarah Etinas
As a full-time freelance travel writer and editor, Sarah Etinas is always on the lookout for her next adventure. With a passion for exploring new destinations, she's covered everything from the vibrant food scene in Hawaii to the stunning outdoor landscapes of Florida. Her work has been featured in renowned publications like TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Thrillist, and Lonely Planet. When she's not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by hiking to beautiful waterfalls, visiting local markets, and dining on the most unique dishes she can find.
