The Cardinal Restaurant and Bar | Vibrant Virginia Beach Spot for Live Music, Delicious Food & Welcoming Vibes

What a hidden gem! The Cardinal is such a cool venue—imagine stepping out of your hotel room and straight into a set from one of your favorite jammy jam bands. It’s the ultimate music-lover’s dream. If they’d let me roll in wearing just my undies, I would’ve done it with pride. The food? Genuinely tasty. The staff? Super cool and welcoming—everyone made the experience feel like a party with friends. I will say, they might want to consider stocking some Tums behind the bar, because my heartburn was bussin, yo. Not their fault though—that’s all me and my reckless love of spicy snacks. And let’s not forget those legendary DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies… they get a double Boom from me. Signing off with gratitude and a happy belly, The Red Red Worm

Heath was fabulous. He was attentive, informative, and all around awesome. My drinks were well made and our food was fantastic. We had the old bay chips & buffalo wings as an appetizer. They were spot on!!! The creole pasta was to die for and the shrimp was perfectly cooked! Then the bread pudding dessert melted in your mouth with walnuts, raisins, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce and whipped cream. I highly recommend.

An open area perfect for entertainment. Vest room is perfect for get togethers. The acoustics in the room is interesting.As well. The waitstaff was friendly and gave great advice for drinks. The food seems to be seasonal. Flavor was good and interesting.

The staff was great and accommodating for a big party. There's lots of room to move tables around. They did run out of pizza which didn't go well for some of the kids. I dont think they were staffed enough for the events accross the street. Our cheese was hard on the cheese fries, they've been sitting for a bit. The double cheeseburger was a big hit. They did put the sound on for the football game which I enjoyed. It made it more of a sports bar. There was a lot of open space, like they were missing tables which threw the look off. They also have a pretty good happy hour menu!

Carnitas Nachos!! This was one of the few times that when one orders nachos with meat, the neat serving lasts longer than the nachos themselves. We lived them. The live music was loud but not blaming the place for that. When it wasn't live music, the selection was great... 70s 80s music! (Yes, I'm old.) The drink were also well made. The patio seating had nice heaters since it was chilly. All in all, the visit was a good one.

The Wife and I were looking for something different to try at the Oceanfront on a Thursday night and stopped in at The Cardinal for a drink. We ended up taking advantage of Restaurant Week and actually had a very good meal. Both of our meals tasted great and the portions were larger enough for a to-go-box. They were also having music bingo which kept us entertained while we waited for our meals. Overall, a great experience.

Ali and Cindy aren’t just bartenders — they’re a DUO OF LEGENDS. Imagine the perfect blend of speed, skill, and charisma, shaken (not stirred) with just the right amount of personality. That’s them. Ali is like lightning behind the bar — fast, sharp, and effortlessly cool, making every cocktail feel like it was crafted exclusively for you. Cindy? She’s the heart of the operation — warm, vibrant, and somehow manages to turn every interaction into the highlight of your night. Together, they create an atmosphere so electric, you’ll swear you stumbled into the best party in the city. The drinks? Flawless. The service? Out of this world. The energy? Pure magic. Ali and Cindy don’t just raise the bar — they ARE the bar.

If bartending were an Olympic sport, Ali and Cindy would bring home the gold EVERY time. From the second you walk in, you don’t just feel like a guest — you feel like family they’ve been waiting all week to see. Their energy is unmatched: Ali’s quick wit and smooth efficiency keep the bar flowing like clockwork, while Cindy has this incredible ability to read the room and make everyone feel like the star of the night. The drinks? Absolute perfection. Not only do they mix cocktails with precision, but they make them with the kind of flair you only see in movies — we’re talking showmanship, style, and a splash of magic in every pour. Ali remembers orders like a mind reader, and Cindy makes recommendations that hit the mark EVERY time (seriously, it’s like she knows your taste better than you do). But what really makes them legendary is the vibe they create together. Ali and Cindy don’t just serve drinks — they craft experiences. Whether it’s turning a casual Tuesday into the highlight of your week or making a Saturday night feel like Vegas came to town, they’ve got it down to an art. Bottom line: if you’re not ordering from Ali and Cindy, you’re doing nightlife wrong. They’re the dream team behind the bar — the standard every other bartender wishes they could reach.