Since its birth in 2000, the Norva has become a landmark of exquisite proportions in the downtown Norfolk area. Before its arrival, the city was lacking a place where music lovers of all genres could converge and enjoy great national acts. Of course, there was the Boathouse and other small general admission bars to see live music, but none had what the Norva has to offer, making its creation practically unprecedented for the area.
The theater itself reminds you of an old, large movie theater you might have seen in the 1950’s. Large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the balcony covers the span of the walls along the second floor. The theater brings in music of all types, from soul to punk, rap to indie rock, country to pop, and beyond. The Norva offers something for everyone, with a full drink menu to boot. The sound in the Norva is one of the best on the east coast, and anyone who has been to places such as Washington, DC’s 930 Club or other venues of note will tell you that its sound surpasses almost all of them.
There are of course downfalls to places of such a grand scale. For example, the drink prices are overwhelming, with beer ranging from five dollars and up, and mixed drinks costing even more. The service is less than outstanding, and the security can be a little bit intimidating. The Norva is a non-smoking venue, which means that smokers are forced to huddle in an outdoor “pen” of sorts in between sets. The upside to the outdoor area is that some seating is provided, and there is usually an outdoor bar to supplement so you can avoid coming in and out for drinks.
One may complain that the price of tickets for shows at the Norva is a little steep, but keep in mind that almost every show there is sold by Ticketmaster outlets, meaning the venue has no control over ticket costs. Occasionally, the Norva does host local bands for a much less expensive price. While there are a few downsides, generally the people of Norfolk are thrilled to have such a prestigious venue here, bringing in acts that normally wouldn’t think to stop here. This combined with the great sound, great vibe, and great energy surrounding the Norva make it one of Norfolk’s most important and notable landmarks to come along in years.
