The Bold Mariner Brewing Company — Restaurant in Norfolk

I have always loved bold mariner and had good experiences here. Tonight was a huge exception I was sitting on the porch and my drink slid off the arm of the chair without me touching it and broke. I went in and told the ladies behind the counter and apologized. The ladies told me it happened when condensation built up and the glasses slid on the chairs. The girl came and cleaned up the glass and gave me a new drink. Later in the night a different person in our party it happened to also. She went in and told them and apologized and did not ask for a new drink as she had drank half of hers. We were a party of 5 and had all ate at Barq and had had a couple of drinks. Noone was intoxicated or close. The shorter blonde working that evening came out to clean it and we were trying to talk to her and be nice and apologize. She ignored us and had obvious attitude. We just let it go. She came out and slammed plastic cups on a table and told us if we couldn't handle real glasses we should drink out of those. We are all adults in our 40s and no one was being irresponsible. We were upset being treated this way by this bar tender. Two of us went inside and told the taller blonde at the counter that we were sorry, it had been an accident about the glass... but we did not want to be treated the way the girl was acting. Both girls then told us we were not nice because we came in to complain. It was Friday night and they didn't have time for it. I tried to explain how rude the girl was to us and the other girl again said it was Friday and they didn't have time and it was our fault. I usually love Bold Mariner, but th the shorter blonde with all of the atritude... between the 3 households that were there? None of us will be back anytime soon. Working in a service industry is service. Noone had drank to much or was out of control, wr wereare all upset and and as business owner and professionals agree thisaslady should not be in the service industry. To the owner... I hope this is someone you can control or get rid of. Because she ruined Bold Mariner for us... and for several people around us we didn't know who saw what happened. To the blonde... you are rude and should not have the...

Unfortunately, the BBQ isn't there anymore. ( Check out BAR_Q on ig)I feel like that was the staple of the place. The beer itself is fine, nothing special. It's just another brewery but in a good location. They have outside seating on the deck upstairs and down. I had a burger that was really good and tried a chicken sandwich. The food was perfect, but let's be honest, a $16 burger and fries.... im sure all the food is great, but prices need to come down. I dont know what it is about Virginia, but they overcharge if the location is near the beach. I understand business, and if you have been following my reviews, you know Virginia is not local residents friendly. Essentially, seeing how other states and counties handle "vacation" locations. This place also has coffee in the morning, I guess. But im unsure about any events being held like bingo, karaoke, food trucks, small businesses, pop-ups, etc... and things to support local businesses. It just seems more of a for-profit business not much for community to call a "home" or " my week spot". They support navy seals and probably also owned by one too, so im sure any kinda profit is just for them and they dont really care about the lovely community that has been built around them. Everything they have is for sale, even a membership mug to get "discounts." They do have a beach clean up, but everyone i talked to said its really just to get more business coming in. They didn't do that until they noticed a local run club doing it. But over all this is another place I never recommend people go to based on word of mouth, what they offer, and own experience. not my first visit. I've been here multiple times since they have opened and wanted to check it out 1 last time. This place isn't leaving anytime soon since having a military face, but I dont see it getting anymore locations or good credibility through the brewery & local...

These guys are great but I want to call out an often overlooked aspect of breweries. They have the BEST water you will get anywhere. I kid not when I say the room brightened and all my senses were engaged with that first sip. It wasn’t carbonated but i wish they would to put Topo Chico or Perrier to shame. I don’t know if it’s municipal or they have an on-site filtration but the water is amazing. I shifted from beers to waters once I took a sip. It was super clear, super crisp. Don’t let the optimal bubbles in the photo fool you, it was like I had just reached the highest peak in the Austrian Alps for a sip from a babbling brook. I should have asked what pH and alkalinity it was but I will next time. It had soft, smooth taste suited for room or cold temperature. I started with a cold glass but gravitated to room temperature. No regrets but I will try the opposite next time.

And Michelle! She was spectacular to see serving up water to friends and I. I think Michelle’s bubbly character added to the water quality but it would still be considered renowned regardless. For whatever reason, I didn’t get a photo with Michelle and water so I will shout for Michelle as soon as I arrive again, emboldened to ask for a water before the beer.

I highly recommend you experience the atmosphere, Michelle’s friendliness, and several glass of Bold Mariner water. If anyone can get the source, chemical properties, or recommendations for this water please let me know. Maybe with enough praise they will figure out how to can and mass distribute this gem. I have order several large containers to take water back with me next time. Bold Mariner: please keep up the ambience, give Michelle a raise, and keep the...