The Lucky Penny Brings Smash Burgers, Games, and Patio Vibes to Virginia Beach

The new bar and grill opened in December, offering a lively atmosphere with live music, pool tables, and a presidential-themed menu.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a smash burger with melted cheese, fries, and a glass of beer, rendered in bold, neon-inspired colors and heavy black outlines to capture the fun, elevated vibe of The Lucky Penny.The Lucky Penny's smash burgers and lively patio atmosphere bring a fresh, playful energy to the Virginia Beach dining scene.Virginia Beach Today

The Lucky Penny, a new bar and restaurant in Virginia Beach, opened in December after the owner, Brandon Lopez, had been eyeing the location for over a year. The restaurant features a variety of games and entertainment, including pool tables, cornhole, Connect Four, and arcade games, as well as live music on weekends. The menu is centered around smash burgers, with popular items like the Jefferson Burger and the Roosevelt, which includes jalapeño relish and a signature Lucky Sauce. The restaurant's theme extends beyond the food, with pennies lining the walls and floors throughout the space.

Why it matters

The opening of The Lucky Penny adds a new dining and entertainment option to the Virginia Beach community, providing a lively atmosphere and unique menu items that cater to both locals and visitors. The restaurant's focus on creating a fun, interactive experience sets it apart from typical bar and grill establishments in the area.

The details

The Lucky Penny is located in the General Booth Shops shopping center in Virginia Beach. Owner Brandon Lopez, a Virginia Beach native, had been eyeing the space for over a year before finally securing it and opening the restaurant in December. The 7,000-square-foot space features a variety of games and entertainment options, including pool tables, cornhole, Connect Four, and arcade games. On weekends, the venue adds live music, with bands and DJs performing to create a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. The menu at The Lucky Penny is centered around smash burgers, with popular items like the Jefferson Burger and the Roosevelt, which features jalapeño relish and a signature Lucky Sauce. The restaurant also offers rotating specials, such as smash burger tacos on Tuesdays.

  • The Lucky Penny opened in December 2025.
  • Lopez had been eyeing the location for over a year before securing the space.

The players

Brandon Lopez

The owner of The Lucky Penny, a new bar and restaurant in Virginia Beach. Lopez is also the owner of Viva Pizzeria & Ristorante on Upton Drive.

The Lucky Penny

A new bar and grill that opened in December 2025 in the General Booth Shops shopping center in Virginia Beach, offering smash burgers, games, and live entertainment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Weekends we have live music, so we'll have bands and DJ's on weekends, so it's just a great vibe overall. You can come hang out, people are here for hours on end.”

— Brandon Lopez, Owner

“I've grown up here for a long time, so I've always been coming to the shopping center. I mean, I get my haircuts right here. I've just known this location for so long.”

— Brandon Lopez, Owner

What’s next

The Lucky Penny plans to continue expanding its entertainment offerings, with the potential for additional live music and special events in the future.

The takeaway

The Lucky Penny's focus on creating a lively, interactive dining experience with smash burgers, games, and live music sets it apart as a unique addition to the Virginia Beach restaurant and bar scene, catering to both locals and visitors looking for a fun, elevated take on the traditional bar and grill.