PARKING
Our lot can sometimes fill up quickly on busy nights. There is plenty of free city parking all within 1 or two blocks. The Randolph St. lot is directly across the street from us.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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There is no smoking or vaping inside the building but we do have an outdoor patio / smoking area.
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No backpacks or drawstring bags will be allowed. Small purses and bags are allowed and are subject to search.
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All shows are all ages unless stated otherwise stated. In order to purchase alcohol, a government-issued ID is required.
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Re-entry is not allow for concerts and shows.
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There is limited seating available for all shows. All seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
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Food is served during shows. For larger events with more customers, we may use a limited menu.
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We use Eventbrite as our ticketing service and tickets can be purchased in advanced. n Ticket links will be located in the event.
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10% Admissions tax (City of Hampton).
Eventbrite Service Fee - 3.7% + $1.79 per sold ticket.
Eventbrite Payment Processing Fee - 2.9% of the total order.
PRO Fee - ASCAP and BMI frees for music royalties
Why do we pass the fees on to the customer?
Simple answer here. We want the experience to be as cost effective as possible for the customer. Most places absorb the fees and just raise ticket and food prices to pass fess along in a hidden way. Since fees are often based off percentages this calculation often gets WAY over compensated in the businesses favor. Our approach is to be transparent about fees and keep our food and ticket prices as low as possible.
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Due to high demand at some of the shows, reservations are not accepted for any concerts/shows on a weekend or for ticketed events. Seating is all first come first serve.
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We hope to help you host your event. Please start by filling out our private event inquiry form HERE. Our event’s coordinator will reach out within 72 hrs to get the process rolling.
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We’re Always looking for new, local and touring acts. Please start by filling out out booking inquiry form HERE. Our talent buyer will reach out if you are a good fit.
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Bartender
Staffed but accepting applications.
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Kitchen/Expo
Hiring all positions.
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Host/Server
Hiring all positions.
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Dish/Bus
Hiring all positions.
OUR HISTORY
The Hampton National Guard Armory was built in 1936 as a part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program under the New Deal initiative. This site was one of over a dozen new construction projects funded by the WPA to house artillery units across the Mid-Atlantic. The idea to build an Armory in Hampton was spearheaded by Captain H. Clark Thompson who felt it necessary in order to house the Battery D., 111th field artillery regiment.
Built in the “moderne” style, this brick masonry building came to represent the architecture of “between two wars”, meaning between the two World Wars. Clearing of the site began on March 9, 1936 and construction of the building began less than two weeks later on March 16th. The building was constructed using 77,000 red tapestry bricks for facing and approximately 300,000 tapestry bricks for the entire building which was eventually completed in March 1937.
When the building was not being used for military training or housing arms, the Armory was meant to serve as a communal center for Hampton. It was seen as a public auditorium, gymnasium and even a concert hall. National touring acts including Otis Redding and Clarence Clemons performed in the central drill hall. The building was vacated in 1993 and had since fallen into disrepair although it remains the only Armory in the region to maintain it’s high level of architectural integrity. The building is now listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance.
The Vanguard hopes to bring that communal spirit back to the Hampton Armory by maintaining the classic industrial style while providing a communal center of live entertainment, craft brewing and small-batch distilling to the Hampton Roads region.