Shaka’s Live

I thought it was great. It was $ 20 to get in but it was a great time once inside. It was so indi and hipster that it was entertaining. The bartenders were great.

Spent Friday night at this spot and really enjoyed myself. I knew someone playing in the band and they were doing a show in honor of the owner’s birthday, I think and it was all these great old songs from musicians who had passed on. The talent on that stage was super impressive and I loved dancing the night away with this groovy crowd. It was like everyone knew everyone else and that just starts to be a good time. Like, when you recognize someone with a festival or concert T-​shirt from some event you also attended and feel an instant kinship with that person. That was what this experience was like. Just super chill. No major lines for the restrooms (they were clean and fully stocked, which is always nice), no long waits trying to flag a bartender down. The bartender Nick took good care of us and I loved that they had Devil’s Backbone. There are couches and stuff to kick back on in between sets or when your feet get tired. Everyone was chill and friendly — including the muscle at the door. I have a feeling this atmosphere changes dramatically depending on the band playing and what time of year you visit, though… We just hit a magic night.

I would go with zero stars if possible. Came with my daughter for an all ages show. Toward the end as she was walking through crowd during the last band she tripped on her shoe. A Shaka’s bouncer then grabbed my 13 year old from beside her FATHER and proceeded to tell us both that she was drunk. I attempted to contact owner with no response back, but I will certainly avoid places where their bouncers find it acceptable to grab minor children, bouncers do not have the authority to touch anyone but especially not children. Lack of professionalism obviously starts at Shakas, I would be sure to accompany your minor children, and make sure they do not accidentally trip.

Came here to see a show paid $ 35 and parked in what I thought was their parking lot in front of the business. My car was towed along with several others. Tow truck guy had a stack of tickets. I had had to pay $ 150 to get my car back. So be advised the venue has no parking and Virginia beach is tow happy. I won’t be returning to the venue again.

My favorite venue to go to at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. What makes it unique is that it operates as an all ages music venue during the evening hours (5−10pm) featuring local & touring acts of different genres (mainly heavy metal) then transitions into a 21+ nightclub after each show is over, making it an ideal destination for a wide demographic of young people looking for a good time. I mainly go to the local shows that they host, and occasionally buy a drink or two while I’m there. Very little complaints, and good experiences overall.

Four friends and I checked this place out on Friday night. We were going to Peabody’s at first but they were charging a little more than my friends were willing to pay for entry. We went around to what we thought was the front of the building where we met their awesome bouncer (the one with the ponytail from Samoa). He was super cool and let us in without a problem, and he has awesome hair. After that, we were given wristbands by another cool bouncer who told us that the age limit to get in was 74. Ha.
When we first walked in, we were confused because it looked like some small smoke area. We headed in the other direction to another small area with a bar and some tables. We danced for 2.5 seconds before realizing the «club» was upstairs. We went up and grabbed some drinks. We danced for a bit and then my friends decided they wanted more drinks. We headed back to the bar. I was standing there with a friend waiting for everyone else to get their drinks when the «Cupid Shuffle» came on. My friend and I were not in any way acting crazy or wild, but we started dancing a couple of feet away from the bar. A woman walked by us (she looked Asian) and said «You need to be out on the dance floor,» as if she was warning us to beat it. We stopped dancing and I looked at her and said «Okay,» and then she looked at me with an attitude and said «Seriously.» Uh, I figured you were serious the first time (hence why we stopped dancing – we weren’t leaving our friends because they weren’t done getting drinks). No need to be rude.
To put it bluntly, she pissed me off. I understand that she may be in some sort of position of authority there, and she deals with a lot of drunk, belligerent people. I understand that. We shouldn’t have been dancing there. However, a simple «Can you guys head to the dance floor?» would’ve sufficed. I didn’t appreciate the attitude. We were at Eagle’s Nest in Chesapeake before heading to Shaka’s and it was much better IMO and more spacious, and the people who work there are friendly and professional. It’s a shame when the bouncers are cooler than the other personnel.
Other than this, the place was okay. The drinks were delicious. I wasn’t at the bar for more than five minutes and the bartender got the drink to me pretty quickly, which I appreciated. The dance floor is pretty small but I don’t mind that at all. The crowd seemed pretty diverse, which is a plus. We met some cool chicks from ODU (one of whom made me feel like I was the best dancer in the world even though I have two left feet – wish I had gotten her name). Anyway, I would consider returning sometime in the future, but I’m in no rush to go back.

It’s about time this establishment sees a recent review! I loved it here! It’s a diverse club. I saw all walks of life here dancing and enjoying their time. Played a nice variety of music and wasn’t uncomfortably hot like most other venues. I would’ve given Shaka’s 5 stars, but the spilt drinks on the floor made it hard to dance after about 1 o’clock. I don’t know how that could be resolved, but I started to worry more about not busting my ass than dancing.

The staff was friendly and quick to get us drinks. The drink prices were good. It was not very crowded on a Wednesday night in spring. I was wearing a long dress but the young local crowd was in casual clubwear – shorts and tank tops. We managed to grab the table in the center of the club. The young men in the crowd were glaring at my husband and me to get the table! If a club is crowded and people are having a good time, they are less likely to show territory or judgement like in Vegas or Los Angeles. I wish that was the case here.
The gogo dancers were not very good due to lack of confidence. It was ruining the vibe because no one else would get up to dance. We tried the club because the bass sounded great from the street. The dj was playing hardstep. I’m always one of the first people on the dancefloor. I love all electronica but when the dj plays half a minute of song and then switches tracks, it’s not danceable. You can’t catch a groove. We left after an hour. I hope they get better entertainment there.

This is were we ended up for dancing. The music was ok. The crowd was weird. Going dancing outside of nyc usually ends in slight disappointment but it was fun non the less.
FYI — save the fancy dress and heels for another place. You can come to this club in shorts and flip flops if you want to. I’m pretty sure I saw people wearing that.

Just had a meal at Shaka’s. Let me just say it was the worst dining experience in years. First three appetizers I ordered I was told were not in stock. The two sides presented with the meal were just inedible.
I did not go for the nightlife so I cannot comment on this. But food wise not on my list of return visits.

The first, second, third, and (maybe fourth) installation of this building on Atlantic Avenue and 22^nd street, Shaka’s is the newest at success. Unlike most of the nightclubs at the beach, Shaka’s is spacious. There’s plenty of room to move around, comfy couches and tables to rest your feet and a huge mirrored dance floor so you can watch yourself shake your junk (bonus!) With a relaxed dress code, a variety of music and a full bar, Shaka’s might just survive the curse of this building that you might remember was most recently Ohana’s.
In addition to the normal nightlife format, Shaka’s offers so cool events to check out such as amateur talent night. I recommend Shaka’s if you want to dance and relax or you just want to see some of your friends and neighbors shine on stage.