You can’t get closer to the pride of Virginia Beach than this: With Pleasure House Oysters, you’ll strap on waders and jump right into the Lynnhaven River on one of their three oyster boat tours. Owned by Captain Chris Ludford, a dedicated oysterman and advocate for conserving the area’s waterways since 2010, Pleasure House’s educational, on-the-water experiences don’t just give you a taste of the local delicacy, they show you how Lynnhaven oysters are harvested. Choose from the four-hour Chef’s Table Tour (where guests enjoy lunch or dinner at a table right in the marsh, a trip to the oyster farm, and a lesson on the surrounding water and wildlife); the two-hour Tasting Tour (a quick lesson and oyster-tasting on the water); or the four-hour Waterman Tour (a hands-on experience that includes a tasting and the opportunity to handle oysters -- as well as crabs, eels, and fish pots when they’re in season).

Pleasure House Oysters isn’t a restaurant, but an oyster farm that offers tours and tasting in the Lynnhaven River. The best option is the Tasting Tour, where you board a vessel (with your beverages of choice) and learn about how oysters are farmed as the boat coasts past million-dollar homes along the Lynnhaven Bay. During the farm tour, you’ll also get to wade up to oyster cages in the water, and even stand next to the boat while watching the captain shuck mollusks for you to enjoy.

While not a restaurant in the traditional sense, this tour is an opportunity to try Lynnhaven oysters in all their freshest glory. The Chef’s Table Tour involves waders and a table set-up in the middle of the water, with oysters plucked from under it. Between courses you can learn about the waterways and history of the Lynnhaven Oysters, admired as being as ‘big as dinner plates’ when the English first landed here in 1607.

Steps from the Chesapeake Bay, in the Chick’s Beach area of Virginia Beach, the brewers at Pleasure House Brewing take “merroir” (as in terroir of the sea) to the next level. With the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, and the miles of inlets around Virginia Beach, it’s no surprise Pleasure House gets its inspiration from local waterways. Take their Rain Barrel Bohemian Pilsner, for example — made from 300 gallons of rainwater collected from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Center, it’s an easy-drinking eco-friendly brew you can feel good about.

Upscale Activities: Get a real taste of Virginia’s world-class oysters during the Pleasure House Oyster Chef’s Table Tour. This oyster experience is more than waterfront; the tour puts you knee-deep in the waters of the Lynnhaven River (wearing waders, of course) as you feast on oysters pulled out of the water only a few yards away. Hosted by the owner and oyster farmer, the three-to-four hour private dining event includes a picturesque boat ride to the oyster farm and an educational lesson in Virginia’s oysters.

The Backstory: Every town loves a good ghost story, and Virginia Beach is no different. For years, locals believed the Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station -- now the home of Commonwealth Brewing -- to be haunted by the ghost of Benjamin Bishop, one of the station’s firefighters who died in the ’70s. He would act like a practical joker, setting off sirens and alarms, slamming truck doors; because of that, the town hosted their annual Halloween haunted house at the Chic’s Beach firehouse until 2013.

In the Chesapeake area, Pleasure House Brewing Company focuses on small batches and cozy digs (their 32-ounce “crowler” is a way to take the party back with you). For a bolt of an Oktoberfest vibe year-round, Wasserhund Brewing Company is a German-inspired brewpub in the Hilltop part of town that offers classic brews like Doppelbock and Hefeweizen and German food (including the cross-cultural Wasserhund Pizza, topped with bratwurst, sauerkraut, and a seasonal beer mustard).

If you’re looking for great beer with unique flavors, Pleasure House Brewing is one of the best microbreweries in Virginia Beach. Named after the original Pleasure House Tavern, the area’s first dive bar of the 16th or 17th century, the brewery is a nod to Virginia Beach’s rich history. Despite its historical roots, the brewery has a modern feel and is a comfortable and charming space designed to be as comfortable as your living room.

Pleasure House Brewing, located in the Chesapeake Bay district, offers visitors delicious pours as well as opportunities to taste test local food trucks. With regular selections always available and new creations always in the works, it’s always a good time to drop into Pleasure House for a cold one. Try the Glo, a Belgian style blond ale, or switch it up with one of their House of Pleasures hard seltzers!

Community is the name of the game at Pleasure House Brewing, where the atmosphere is fun and the beer is always flowing. Play some darts, a game of foosball or listen to live music while sipping on a refreshing pint with friends old and new. The 11 taps pour house-made brews, including the award-winning Gio Belgian Blond, Rudee Inlet IPA and OB’s Wattleseed Stout.

You could start at Bold Mariner Brewing Company, the head to COVA Brewing Company, and round that out with Pleasure House Brewing and Commonwealth Brewing Co. If you’re keen for more, you can head back towards Virginia Beach and to go to Wasserhund Brewing Company and Back Bay’s Beach House. I’d also stop in for a cocktail at Waterman’s Spirits!.

Pleasure House Brewing is like having a friend that invites you to come chill at their place, except this particular friend makes really good beer. Go for the Glo Belgian Blond or the Rudee Inlet DIPA, stay for the foosball and good times. Pleasure House Brewing is located at 2032 Pleasure House Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

At Pleasure House Brewing we are passionate about two things: making great beer and serving our community!. All 11 of our taps pour beer made right here in house!. We aim to keep a few favorites around at all times: award­winning Glo Belgian Blond, Rudee Inlet DIPA, and OB’s Wattleseed Stout.

Pleasure House Brewing Company: Also located near Chic’s Beach, they emphasize small-batch brewing, ensuring fresh and distinctive flavors.​ This brewery often hosts events like trivia nights, live music, and yoga sessions, adding to its strong connection with the Virginia Beach community.

Pleasure House Brewing Company is a charming brewery near the Chic’s Beach area. The beer offerings at Pleasure House are constantly changing, so you can sip something new every time you visit. Play a boardgame with the kids to create an experience for the whole family.

Located just off Shore Drive, Pleasure House Brewing brings a slightly different beach vibe to the table. They’re relaxed, they’re friendly, and they’re innovative. Mostly a small-batch brewery, Pleasure House always has something new on Tap.