One word description of this place: awesome! Mike does everything he can to bring great beer into our area and definitely succeeds on all levels. This small store that could be missed if you’re not looking contains wonderful beers and fabulous service. I get 90% or more of my beer from here. A fellow Ratebeerian (bonvivant), Mike keeps up with everything here in order to get the best beers available. The last Friday of every month bring the Beer Lovers Club. Attendees usually sample 5-7 beers. Lucky folks may get to stay after for some extras. Well worth your time if you are in the area!

Though I am an inexperienced beer "hack", I was treated like an old friend at Bon Vivant. When heading through the Isle of Wight area, be sure to stop. Whether an accomplished beer sampler or "hack" like me, it’s worth the experience. Thanks, guys!

Excellent, excellent place! Best selection I have seen in the entire region, GREAT people. Mike is a very nice guy, and really knows his beer. Treated a few of us newbies like we were family at The Beer Lovers Club meeting (which is a fabulous tasting the last Friday of each month, and a cool time to truly "beer geek"). Can’t say enough about this place, you just gotta GO!

Visited Bon Vivant last night for their beer tasting and had a great time! Even though it was packed, the atmosphere was friendly, the people great and the beer selection was through the roof! Absolutely worth the trip.

I have only visited once so far but plan on many more. Mike has the best selection in the area. Plan on making trip from Va Beach for Beer Lover Club this place is great. I have yet to meet Mike however his emploees speak highly of him as well as other owner of beer stores in the area. Bon Vivant is small and easily missed but is well worth the drive.

I was down in Isle of Wight for work, and figured, what the heck, The_Beer_God always raves about this place, might as well swing by during lunch. I saw the outside of the place and was prepared for disappointment, as the entire building was smaller than most garages. Boy was I wrong. The inside was absolutely packed with a great selection of beers, thoughtfully arranged by style. Standouts that struck me were Allagash Victoria and a couple of the La Trappe beers. I left with a load of beer and a much lighter wallet. Also met Mike the owner, great guy who really knew his stuff. Can’t believe a place like this exists out in the middle of nowhere Virginia. A must stop, and well worth the occasional journey as well.

Clearly one of the best places to find craft beers in the Hampton Roads area. Unfortunately it is such a long drive from Norfolk/Va Beach. Join the mailing list. I’ve made the 45 minute drive several times because of rare beers that were featured on their newsletter.

Like this one better then Governers Point. More beer selection. One whole shelf rack dedicated to IPA’s...my favorite. Plus they carry ice cold Legends.

I came to Smithfield last weekend for a wedding and I did my research on this place because it had the only good selelction of beer in the general area. I heard it was small, but I had no idea how small. When I pulled up to the place it looked like a regular house with a garden out back and I thought "how is this place gonna house all that good beer?" I walked in and went into the beer room and was blown away. The staff was incredibly smart and helpful. I would definilty recommend this store to anyone in the area. Cheerz

Finally visited late July 2006. Driving up to this place, you’ll say no way. But inside this little hut is a wonderful lineup of hard to find beers, not to mention an impressive selection of wine. The owners are down to earth folks who really are welcoming. This is a DEFINITE topper on the Hampton Roads list. Later update .... no question, Bon Vivant is the best retail location in southern Virginia and could hold it’s own with the finer retailers in the country. Mike and company simply provide a stellar lineup of incredible singles that sometimes can be found nowhere else, and at the least all the greats can be found here. Worth a 2-hour detour at least.