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    Bull Island Brewing

    3.8 (105 reviews)
    ModerateBrewpubs
    Open 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Dan C.

    Amazing view and pizzas too. Our family of 10 descended on BIB for our traditional Easter gathering with our Newport News kin. The beer was (as always) good and the pizzas and appetizers were outstanding. Service was fantastic. Parking in the hotel garage is still free, but now it has to be validated by BIB. The only problem with this visit was that the local bratty kids scooped up all the hidden Easter eggs before we could put down our beer glasses.

    Boardwalk pizza (pepperoni and ham with a hot honey drizzle)
    Keani W.

    The boardwalk pizza was the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and a little bit of heat. Not one thing overpowered the other. The crust was light with a slight crispiness to it. My friend got the regular pepperoni pizza and crab cakes and there were no complaints. My crab dip came out a little cold so the cheese topping was a little stiff, but I appreciated that there was crab in every bite. Pita bread instead of chips was a good choice. You order at the bar and seat yourself. They give you a number to put on the table and bring your food out to you. I recommend sitting outside by the water it was shaded and quiet. I'm definitely going back for that pizza!

    Hanging out with our new dog
    Matt M.

    This is our favorite place in Hampton! The food is always perfect and the beer is great. Very cool setup with lots to do for kids. Also very dog friendly! What sets this place apart is their servers. Every week we come in with our autistic son and they just treat him so well. Even when he's having a rough day and seems awkward, they just smile and take care of him. Best servers I've ever seen!

    Flight - 5oz.
    Terisa J.

    Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Parking garage is free to brewery visitors. We split a flight to taste. We tried the wheat, blonde, pilsner, white ipa and double ipa. We would rate the beer a 3 out of 5. We did eat any food. The waterfront view was nice and the inside atmosphere was relaxing. It is a great space for a group of friends to meet up and play games.

    Andy K.

    Beer, cocktails, food by the water?! Who doesn't want to chill out in a place like that? Bull island has a respectable menus of craft beers and a pleasant selection of cocktails. The food menus is nothing to scream about but it's food, most breweries might have a food truck. I love the open atmosphere and the water views. Honestly this is the picture of a brewery in Hampton Roads you would expect. Service wise on its game, no delay in getting me my beer and food.

    Large pretzel with meats and cheeses.
    Matt R.

    We had a great meal waterside. It's typical bar and grill food but it was all delicious. The staff was all very nice and accommodating.

    View from our table as the sun set
    Heidi S.

    What a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening! We don't venture to the peninsula often so we had an excuse to check out Bull Island on our way back from a weekend in the mountains. While we initially had trouble figuring out where the brewery actually was, once we saw the sign we looked for side-street parking which was plentiful and free. A short walk and we spotted the entrance and grabbed a table on the dock. It was pretty quiet for a beautiful evening so there were plenty of tables to choose from. My daughter appreciated the rocking chairs. The inside was nearly empty! We placed orders at the bar and watched the boats go by while we waited. Drinks were really good and they have a good variety of options for all tastes. The pizza was absolutely delicious! I always request extra crispy and they nailed it. The only disappointment was the salad, which was sitting in water from being refrigerated. Otherwise, a great time with family and I hope to return!

    Leanne F.

    I hosted a surprise party/gathering at Bull Island Brewing for my husband's official ordination at the VA United Methodist Conference. It was attended by family and friends who mostly all drove in from Richmond specifically for this gathering. That can be a bit nerve racking - wanting them to feel like their drive was worthwhile. And it absolutely was! Bull Island Brewing ended up being the perfect spot to gather, enjoy snacks/lunch/drinks and time together. The staff was so incredibly friendly and attentive and the food/drinks were awesome. We'll definitely be back! :) Big thank you to Lisa who helped me to plan things and who was very patient with my thousands of questions, haha. I'm really grateful! ps. The pretzel bites - to die for! I'm kind of glad I don't live closer because they would be the end of my fitness goals, haha.

    Audry P.

    Great outdoor atmosphere at the marina... Bar staff are very nice, and quick to get your order. I would love to give your stars for a review but I find the food brings the review down. This place coyld ve amazing if it cleaned up the menu and had just a few delicious options. Unfortunately, the food here is just okay. I love this bar for the drinks...and location though. I just wish the menu was...well, mind blowing. Delicious bar food iant hard to make and I truly believe this place coyld easily be a four star dining experience...it just needs a little manager or owner TLC on the quality of food offered. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope they'll rock my socks off next time I roll through. Ambiance: marina chill Dress code: Super Casual Cleanliness: super clean Wait/bar staff are awesome Food.... Is okay Come for the beer, come for the sunsets, come for the awesome bartenders....

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    Crystal and Christy we're great, had a great time. Had a pizza and wings and they were great also. Tell Tiffany I said hello.

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    Ask the Community - Bull Island Brewing

    Elation Brewing

    Elation Brewing

    4.3
    (121 reviews)
    9.7 mi
    $$

    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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    Bar
    Bar
    Elation Brewing
    Downeast Black Cherry

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    Downeast Black Cherry
    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

    2.9
    (497 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    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

    My Grubbing Buddy and I went for lunch at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse after an hourlong gym…read moreworkout. Unfortunately, we don't visit the restaurant often because it's so hidden, located deep in the Newport News Tech Center. It's a beautiful eatery and, as you enter, a friendly waitstaff member promptly greets you. We were presented with a menu full of delicious options of both food and drinks. My Buddy and I enjoyed a lettuce wedge with steak and blue cheese crumbles, along with a chicken club sandwich and a colorful flight of margaritas. We plan to return again, hopefully, more sooner than later.

    Photos
    Beer listing on the wall
    Beer listing on the wall
    Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta
    Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta
    The Margarita Flight!!

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    The Margarita Flight!!
    COVA Brewing Company

    COVA Brewing Company

    4.3
    (187 reviews)
    10.7 mi
    $$

    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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    Seating area
    Seating area
    Indoor
    Indoor
    Long line hopefully indicates good coffee

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    Long line hopefully indicates good coffee
    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News

    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News

    3.9
    (495 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    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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    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News
    Up close of Great White medium
    Up close of Great White medium
    Mellow Mushroom - Newport News

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    Bull Island Brewing - brewpubs - Updated August 2026

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