Waterside District | Norfolk

Waterside District is a vibrant, riverfront entertainment and dining complex located at 333 Waterside Drive in the heart of Downtown Norfolk, Virginia, along the scenic Elizabeth River. It serves as a modern reinvention of the original 1980s Waterside Festival Marketplace, which was once a cornerstone of downtown revitalization. Today, the District combines stylish, open-air architecture with dynamic eateries, nightlife venues, live entertainment, and waterfront amenities, making it one of the city’s premier destinations for locals and tourists alike.

🏛️ Historical Context and Redevelopment

The original Waterside Festival Marketplace, opened in 1983, was inspired by similar concepts in other U.S. port cities (like Boston’s Quincy Market or Baltimore’s Harborplace). It featured enclosed retail shopping, family-friendly amusements, and food courts that helped revitalize a post-industrial downtown Norfolk.

However, by the early 2000s, the complex fell into decline due to changing consumer habits, rising competition from suburban malls like MacArthur Center, and outdated infrastructure. In response, the City of Norfolk partnered with The Cordish Companies, a nationally recognized developer, to reinvent the space.

Between 2013 and 2017, Waterside was fully renovated into the Waterside District, a more focused entertainment and culinary experience. The $40 million redevelopment opened to the public in May 2017 with a grand festival, returning the complex to the spotlight.

🧱 Design and Layout

Waterside District combines industrial-modern architecture with open-air patios, glass-walled interiors, and riverfront plazas. Its layout centers on:

The Market: A centralized, open-concept food hall-style dining court surrounded by diverse eateries, bars, and event stages.

Glass pavilions and patios: Open views of the Elizabeth River, Town Point Park, and the marina.

Multiple levels: Including a mezzanine lounge, rooftop patios, and flexible event spaces.

Nighttime illumination: Color-changing lights and ambient glow along railings and patios create a festive mood after dark.

🍽️ Dining and Beverage Options

Waterside District is known for its curated collection of restaurants, bars, and quick-service counters, offering both local flavor and national brands. Notable venues include:

1. Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse

A celebrity-branded barbecue restaurant known for its bold flavors and casual, lively decor.

Signature items include smoked brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, jalapeño sausage, and Fieri’s signature sauces.

2. Blue Moon TapHouse

A craft beer destination with over 30 taps, upscale bar food, and a relaxed riverfront setting.

Offers indoor and outdoor seating, frequent tastings, and live music on weekends.

3. Stripers Waterside

A sit-down seafood restaurant with panoramic river views.

Features raw oysters, crab cakes, shrimp po’boys, fish tacos, and Southern seafood staples.

4. The Market Food Hall

A large shared space hosting a variety of local and fast-casual vendors, including:

Carolina Cupcakery (gourmet cupcakes and desserts)

The Fudgery (handmade fudge with live singing performances)

Rocky Mountain Grill (comfort food and sandwiches)

Pizzeoli (New York-style pizza by the slice)

Sushi, tacos, chicken tenders, and rotating seasonal kiosks

5. PBR Norfolk: Professional Bull Riders Bar

A country-western nightlife venue featuring a mechanical bull, DJs, dance floor, and line dancing.

Targets the 21+ crowd for late-night fun with themed parties and signature cocktails.

🎤 Entertainment and Events

Waterside District is a live entertainment hub, with a rotating calendar of events and musical performances. Features include:

Indoor and outdoor stages for concerts, DJs, karaoke nights, and open mics.

Silent discos with wireless headphones and LED lights.

Sports watch parties with oversized screens, especially during NFL, NBA, or NCAA events.

Themed festivals, including:

Mac & Cheese Festival

Haunted Harbor (Halloween)

Mermaid City Craft Beer & Wine Fest

Oyster & South Festival

Summer Kickoff Party

Most events are free and family-friendly during the day, while transforming into a nightlife-focused crowd in the evenings.

🌊 Marina and Waterfront Access

The Waterside District directly overlooks the Elizabeth River, offering:

Day docking and marina access for private boaters and yachts

Capacity for vessels up to 270 feet

Adjacent access to the Elizabeth River Ferry, connecting to Portsmouth and other waterfront points

Scenic waterfront walkways, leading to Nauticus, Town Point Park, and the USS Wisconsin

Benches, flower gardens, and green spaces surround the exterior, creating an environment equally inviting for casual walkers or diners.

🛍️ Shops and Local Vendors

While the focus is no longer on retail, Waterside District still offers:

Pop-up shops and kiosks during festivals

Norfolk-branded merchandise through event vendors

Handmade and artisan goods during holiday markets and themed fairs

🧭 Location and Accessibility

Waterside District sits in a prime downtown location, just minutes away from:

Town Point Park (connected directly)

Nauticus Museum and the USS Wisconsin

MacArthur Center Mall

The Tide Light Rail (MacArthur Square Station)

Granby Street dining district

Parking options include:

Waterside Garage

MacArthur Center Parking

Street metered parking

Valet service during major events

It’s also highly walkable, bike-accessible, and pet-friendly (outdoors).

🎯 Visitor Experience and Community Impact

Waterside District is designed to serve as Norfolk’s living room on the water-a place to gather, relax, celebrate, and connect. Its energy shifts throughout the day:

Daytime: Family visits, waterfront lunches, casual dining, quiet lounging on the patio

Evenings: Happy hours, date nights, business meetups, cultural events

Late night: Nightclubs, live music, bar hopping, dancing at PBR

It has become a powerful economic and social revitalization tool, offering:

Over 1,000 local jobs

Opportunities for regional food vendors

Cultural diversity through music, art, and cuisine

Enhanced public access to Norfolk’s historic waterfront

✅ Summary

Waterside District is a multi-use waterfront destination that has successfully merged Norfolk’s historic harbor identity with modern dining, entertainment, and civic life. Whether you're arriving by boat, enjoying smoked ribs with a view, watching a football game with hundreds of fans, or dancing under the stars, Waterside offers a uniquely Norfolk experience-where the river, the city, and the community all converge in celebration.