These hidden hotspots at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront offer unique drinking and dining experiences you may not even know exist
If you’ve spent any time in Key West, you know that one of its many distinctive charms can be found hidden among the trees, strung with festive lights and bedecked with quirky, tiki-inspired décor.
These charming, “secret” restaurant courtyards and patios are an integral part of the island’s legendary indoor-outdoor dining and nightlife scene at iconic spots like Blue Heaven and Louie’s Backyard.
But did you know there’s a little—OK, more than a little—Key West-style magic happening at one of the most popular restaurants at our very own Virginia Beach Oceanfront?
For more than 25 years, LunaSea Key West Café owner Colleen Cunningham has been conjuring, creating, building, imagining and reimagining the layout of her 22nd Street hotspot. The result is arguably the most unique dining space in the Virginia Beach resort area.
From the street, LunaSea appears to be a cute, colorful tropical café and bar with an inviting street-front patio and American flags waving in the breeze, and it is indeed known for its late-night party vibes.
But if you walk through the main restaurant and out the back or enter to the right of the building along a lush green wall of bamboo and vining flowers, you’ll be transported to another world.
“People are always like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding!,”’ Cunningham shares. “People who travel a lot say it’s one of the nicest places they’ve ever been to. But they’re completely shocked, especially when you just see the front.”
A playful, Instagram-worthy greenery wall adorned with a neon pink LunaSea logo sets the stage for an enclosed outdoor play space with an optionally covered or open sand volleyball court; multilevel terracotta red wooden decking; several bars including a dedicated oyster bar, a bandstand, flowers, plants, umbrellas, Mexican pottery, artwork and cozy seating with brightly colored upholstery.
You may even spot a pair of neighborhood tuxedo cats, affectionately named after islands in the Keys (Boots and Sugar), who like to lounge about the courtyard in true island style: “They think they own the place, but they don’t,” Cunningham jokes.
This constant work in progress has been a vision for Cunningham from the start, one she has achieved in part with the help of her brother’s construction company, Cunningham Construction, and contractor George Drinko. Possible add-ons for the future include a 360-degree wrap-around upper deck and a large-screen digital display out front that would give folks a peek at all the creativity happening behind the building.
The recent addition of a brand new covered awning and state-of-the-art sound system for the band area are just the latest improvements, the latter an attractive perk for their full lineup of live bands including national touring acts, special events like the WRV Model Search in August and private functions like anniversaries, corporate parties and weddings.
Another thing guests are sometimes surprised by at LunaSea is the food, says Cunningham, who took the pandemic as an opportunity to go to culinary school after having been successful in the restaurant industry for decades.
“Everything is from scratch,” she explains. “We make our pork; that’s a 12-hour slow and low process for our Cubano and for our pork nachos and tacos. I cut all the steaks fresh. I skin and filet the fish, so everything’s fresh. Our salsa is made in-house.”
And if you’ve got a hankering for Keys classics, they’ve got you covered from Conch Fritters and Key West Crab Cakes to Shrimp Salad and the Hemingway Burger—plus a full bar that includes a colorful and crafty selection of signature cocktails. lunaseavb.com
When it comes to surprising spaces, there must be something in the air on 22nd Street because just across the way at Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant, you’ll have to look up to catch the newest addition to this John, Paul, George and Ringo-inspired destination known for its seafood, spacious patio seating, “Beatles Breakfast,” live music and late-night bar scene.
It’s called Lucy’s Sky Bar, named for the Fab Four classic “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and it’s perched atop Abbey Road, accessible by its own dedicated outdoor stairway. The long-time vision of founder Bill Dillon, the rooftop venue recently opened after several years in the works and spans 2,800 square feet, features its own dedicated kitchen, food menu and full bar and can accommodate about 150 people.
At an opening reception for Lucy’s Sky Bar in May, guests were treated to warm spring breezes courtesy of the bar’s open-air indoor-outdoor seating with garage-style, roll-up glass doors and vaulted ceiling. A mixture of regular and high-top tables, airy bar seating and one section where you can catch a view of the Oceanfront Boardwalk, it feels like a sophisticated treehouse.
Lucy’s menu is lighter and more internationally inspired with options like Blackened Scallop & Shrimp Ceviche, Asian Dumplings, Teriyaki Steak Bites and Lobster Bisque. At the bar, check out their signature cocktail menu for drinks such as the Marmalade Skies Margarita Lucy in the Sky (with Diamonds) and Here Comes the Sun Spritzer. abbeyroadpub.com
More Surprising Spaces at the Beach
Also on 22nd street (again, something in the air), don’t miss the tiny 1920s-inspired speakeasy lounge adjacent to Repeal Bourbon and Burgers. This one really is secret, accessible by an unmarked door down the alleyway to the right of the Repeal in proper Prohibition fashion.
Several Oceanfront breweries feature nifty elevated decks or tucked away lofts for enjoying your pint, food truck eats or live entertainment including Vibrant Shore Brewing Company and Aslin Brewing Company, both in the ViBe Creative District.
Ocean House Waterfront Restaurant at 19th Street has perhaps the best people watching spot on the Boardwalk with their second story open air bar. You’re golden if you can get there in time to grab a stool facing the beach, but the space expands all the way to the Atlantic Ave. side complete with covered gliders, cornhole boards and more.
Beachside Social is another very unique space you might not imagine exists from its front door entrance between 27th and 28th Streets on Atlantic. Head inside and up the stairs and you’ll discover a large retro ocean liner-inspired shuffleboard lounge with fresh cocktails, craft beer and yummy food.
Finally, The Hunt Room in the basement at the historic Cavalier Hotel is steeped in history and secrets, from its days as a gathering spot for returning hunting parties in the hotel’s early 20th century glory era to its rebirth as a refined tavern for tucking into a leather sofa by the fire with a Smoked Old Fashioned.
Photo of LunaSea’s courtyard at top of page by David Urhin.
Leona Baker
Leona Baker is the former Editor-in-Chief of Coastal Virginia Magazine. She is a writer, creative, communications professional, food freak, news junkie, nature and travel lover and mom. She holds a degree in English from James Madison University and a degree in Dance & Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She previously served as Senior Copywriter for Spark 451, Director of Marketing & Communications at Virginia Wesleyan University, and Senior Editor of Port Folio Weekly.
