The Banque's History
Since 1973, A Norfolk Icon with a Country Soul
For over 50 years, The Banque Country Bar has been a cornerstone of Norfolk’s nightlife, bringing live country music, dancing, and Southern hospitality to the heart of Virginia. Established in 1973, The Banque quickly became a hotspot for country-western entertainment, drawing in crowds eager to experience its lively dance floor, mechanical bull, and signature honky-tonk atmosphere.
Throughout the years, The Banque has welcomed countless country music lovers, from line-dancing enthusiasts to seasoned two-steppers. Its stage has hosted a variety of talented artists, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit venue for both up-and-coming musicians and well-known performers. More than just a bar, it has served as a community gathering place where friendships were formed, memories were made, and Norfolk’s country music culture thrived.
Despite changes in the music and nightlife scene, The Banque’s legacy endures. It remains a testament to the enduring love of country music, preserving a piece of Norfolk’s rich entertainment history. Whether you’re a longtime patron or a first-time visitor, stepping into The Banque is like stepping into a piece of the city’s past—where the music is loud, the dance floor is packed, and the country spirit lives on.
How did it all start?
In August 1973, while driving along Little Creek Road in Norfolk, Virginia, Dennis Doughty spotted the Giant Open-Air Market vacating its expansive space at Wedgewood Shopping Center. That moment sparked his idea to transform the 17,000‑square‑foot building into a restaurant and nightclub. Dennis immediately visited the empty facility and envisioned a dynamic layout—three distinct areas surrounding a massive dance floor, an elevated stage visible from anywhere, and three bars (one on each side and one at the entrance). His wife, Annabelle, cheered him on, reminding him, “if he wanted to pick the cherries, he would have to go out on limb.” Despite the daunting challenge of securing funds and leaving his lucrative job with Ramada Inn’s national management team, Dennis maintained his vision: clear the space at 1849 East Little Creek, decorate it with a newspaper motif, and call it “The Front Page.”
After quitting Ramada Inn, Dennis pursued financial backing for “The Front Page.” Rejected by several banks, he finally won over Virginia National Bank—the fifth he approached—which not only lent him the requested funds but doubled the amount. Grateful for this opportunity, he renamed the venue Fifth National Bank. When The First National Bank raised objections, he promptly revised the name to Fifth National Banque
The Fifth National Banque opened in December 1973 to immediate success. Local show bands played top forty hits while, at 10:00 pm and midnight, the musicians put on one‑hour floor shows filled with impersonations and skits of 50s and 60s entertainers. Traveling dance bands also entertained, but to curb rising fees, Dennis formed the club’s own group—the Fifth National Band.
Eager to innovate, Dennis and Annabelle visited New York City clubs for fresh ideas. They introduced line dancing to Hampton Roads, with Annabelle teaching dances several nights a week. This free, popular addition, combined with the Fifth National Band’s performances, packed the club to capacity with patrons “eating, dancing, and having fun.” Yet change was on the horizon.
Disco swept in, and although Dennis doubted it would end the show band era, he soon learned that resisting change could hurt his business. He incorporated disco into the live sets and hired a DJ to spin tunes during band breaks. The adjustment filled the room once again, but the disco crowd’s frenetic energy sometimes sparked tension and altercations. The club’s once familiar vibe of “eating, dancing, and having fun” gave way to a more laborious atmosphere. By 1981, as disco faded and show band expenses soared, Dennis and Annabelle knew it was time for a fresh start.
Western wear had become the rage. When Annabelle purchased a white Stetson hat, the couple visited a country and western nightclub where they witnessed genuine, thigh‑slapping fun. They immediately revamped their venue—investing heavily in radio and newspaper advertising and hiring a solid local country band. By 1:00 am on a Sunday, disco at Fifth National Banque died, and on Tuesday at 6:00 pm, the club reopened as The Banque, a full‑on country and western nightclub. Urban Cowboy replaced Saturday Night Fever, and the 1,200‑square‑foot dance floor filled with happy dancers learning the latest moves from Belle. With Rick Stanley and the Heavy Cowboys playing six nights a week and a booming food business, the Doughtys reaffirmed that their venue offered a safe space where patrons could “eat, dance, and have fun.”
Military personnel from the nearby Norfolk Amphibious Base and Norfolk Naval Station—the world’s largest naval base—quickly embraced the new vibe. Many from Texas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma made the Banque their “Home away from home.” Dennis and Annabelle even hosted Navy banquets and parties, forging a lasting relationship that continues to shape every upgrade and plan for the club.
After the Heavy Cowboys wrapped up a two‑and‑a‑half‑year residency, traveling road bands such as Little Texas, Alan Jackson, John Anderson, Asleep and the Wheel, and Sawyer Brown began rotating onto the spacious stage every two weeks. Their fresh country sounds boosted the Banque’s reputation as one of the southeast’s top country western venues. Famous stars performing in Hampton Roads often dropped by to shoot pool, dance, and chat with fans. Special evenings—with renowned entertainers taking the stage at the urging of local fans—filled the club with exuberance and energy. Despite early doubts, the switch to country and western music proved an immediate and enduring success for over twenty‑five years.
By 2002, as the pool of quality live acts shrank and performance fees soared, the Doughtys recognized the need for another bold change. They decided to end live music—a staple since opening night—and replace it with a full‑time DJ hosting a computer‑generated, surround‑sound system paired with a multifaceted light show. Although they felt apprehensive about letting go of tradition, they knew that refusing change could exact a higher price.
Between 1:00 am on Sunday and 4:00 pm on Tuesday in August 2003, the Doughtys transformed the venue once again. Since that weekend, the Banque’s loyal “Banquers” have packed the house—two‑stepping and line dancing, shooting pool in one of fourteen leagues, chatting over sports on one of fourteen TVs, playing Texas Hold ‘Em and Blackjack, enjoying ladies’ nights with Southern charm, socializing around three bars, shopping for hats and belt buckles in Belle’s Dry Goods, or savoring the best burger in the southeast. One thing remains constant: they’re still “eating, dancing, and having fun,” just as they have for over fifty years at Norfolk, Virginia’s premier country and western nightclub, the Banque—still “A two-step above the rest.”