This was an interesting bar down a small alley in town. It was mostly full of college kids. They…read morehad a variety of specialty drinks, and good music playing too. If you are looking to drink and dance, this may not be the spot for you. But you if you want to socialize, then check it out. 2025-09 #560

Great atmosphere! Cozy little bar with a great sazerac. Back…read morecorner of a little alley.

Great spot to grab a day drink when visiting the Wilmington Historic District. Dude tending bar was…read morevery friendly. Great selection of spirits and beers. Bar smells awesome and the outdoor seating is great if you're bringing the doggos like we did. Love this place!!

Such a cute little spot! It has all the vibes of a speak easy with dark colorings, wood top, low…read morelevel lighting.. and a selection you will never grow tired of as well as on tap beer options. They have a rotating menu which includes seasonal drinks and staff favorites. They also have a few nibbles you can order but it's not a very big selection. The bar keep was very friendly and upbeat for a Sunday afternoon. Totally would go back when in town again and recommend it to people that visit Wilmington.

Overpriced and underwhelming…read more But incredibly effective marketing. I fell for it, so I have to credit them with that. Nicely decorated interior. They were mostly kind but I should've turned away at the cover charge, and lack of prices for regular cocktails. I was shocked to see a $21 charge for a whiskey sour that had Buffalo Trace.

Came in tonight for an event with prohibition bottle co. The bar is kind of hidden off the Main…read moreStreet down an alleyway.. you have to know where to look..lol.. we came in with a secret password for event to get in for free.. there's a $5 year membership which we did end up getting because we want to come back! Everyone in bar was very nice and friendly.. the drinks were very good.. a nostalgic 1920's themed bar.. pictures of older days lined walls but very fun vibe.. we went upstairs to smaller bar for event .. no elevators folks so be prepared.. really interesting and cool place I'm very glad I came and I loved the vibe..

This place is kind of hidden. It's basically in a basement in the back of a building…read more Quick Summary - Small bar, very intimate - Bartenders are very friendly and good at what they do - Prices for drinks are reasonable, especially compared to other places downtown - Cash and cards accepted - There is a small area outside to sit if you don't want to sit outside

Cute little pub I happened to discover while waiting for dinner. It is right underneath the Little…read moreDipper. You have to walk down and under and through a doorway to get inside. Inside there is bar seating and other tables as well. The place is a little small but good for hanging our with a small group of friends. They had $2 October fest on special which was really good and a great price! The bartender was super nice and we really enjoyed grabbing a drink there before dinner. The decor on the inside is nice with the lights it makes you feel like you are in Germany or something I love it. Good pub to hang out and relax with good drink specials and prices!

My husband and I decided to stop into the gazebo bar for some drinks before a celebration dinner…read more The bar wasn't busy at the time we visited & the bartender was extremely nice! He offered us the dealer's choice beverage which happened to be like a blueberry gin based drink- it was super delicious. The fact that it was only $10 was even better! My husband went with a bourbon based drink off the menu- he was also a fan. The prices are decent here & we will definitely be back to check it out. The areas around the bar with the fire pits seem like a relaxing place to unwind after dinner. The vibes are quiet and relaxing even though it's right in the hustle and bustle of downtown. We even have a wedding in October to attend that we may plan to stay over night here for.

5 star bar tender was awesome, ambiance is fantastic, really a hidden gem of Wilmington. Have not…read moretried the food yet.

Yes, it's a dive bar. Had the hamburger, not much flavor. Had a few (too many) gin & tonics. One…read moreof my G&Ts had a very slimy lime (was sick the next day), and there went the hamburger - revisit. Hubby had the tuna poke bowl over rice, he enjoyed it. Place has good vibes, but will never eat there, and will be more selective regarding slimy limes.

Gotta like the old pub type atmosphere. Space for chess boards and Liverpool football club…read morefollowers. We will be back

Kate was amazing and super helpful with building our drinks. Loved how nice and pretty they came,…read moreand so flavorful! The interior is very cozy, loved how nice and warm it is while you're hanging out.

Only had drinks - bartender quickly (and well) made my wife a French 75 with vodka. Great people…read morewatching in the front, great outdoor space in the back.

Struggled with the rating. I could have gone 3 stars but decided on 4. The deciding factor was…read morehow cheap the drinks were. Located on Front Street, right in the heart of downtown. The Rooftop bar is on the 5th story of the building it is in. There is an elevator, but if you are a glutton for punishment, you can take the stairs. The drinks are very reasonable. 3 beers cost me $10. Not a huge selection of draft beer, but many others in cans/bottles. Bartender was very good, friendly and efficient. The bar is in the middle, with seats all around. You can also take you drinks to seating outside with better views of the Cape Fear River. One section gives you a great view of the battleship across the river. There are criticism in other reviews about the views, which I get. The Southside views are mostly looking at the rooftops of other buildings, not that they can change that. There are other obstructions they can control if they wanted which would improve the viewing experience. The bar is very laid back, with a mixed crowd. Recommend.

If you're looking for a fancy rooftop bar- this ain't it. If you're looking for a cool spot to hang…read morewith a good bartender, this is it. No frills, small bar atop a roof featuring views of the surrounding area. Loud music playing, definitely a locals type joint.

Found this little gem while waiting for a riverboat tour. The greeting was lousy but the drink menu…read moredrew me in. The location is super cute inside with nice furniture and big televisions to watch the games on, but the friendliness was missing when I stopped in. I ordered a watermelon smash and my husband had the April in Paris. Both were tasty. The bar had tons is syrups and fun glassware which I liked, u just wish it felt more welcoming! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to choose from. Outside you can look at the river and soak up the sun while you enjoy you

Well it's called the Cocktail Captain now but still not worth a visit. It has a nice location and…read moreapparently that's all they think they need. Rude bartenders , no draft beer Lots of cheap tables on the patio not suited for the outdoors. . Waste of a good location

either love or hate -- there's not much in between. It's a three-story nightclub, and the second…read morefloor is where the real action happens, featuring a packed dance floor, flashing lights, and high-energy music. They typically play current hits with a mix of pole dancing performances from the customer haha that keep the crowd entertained. The drinks are a bit overpriced, but that's pretty standard for most clubs, so it's not a huge shock. Be prepared for big crowds -- it gets very crowded, and you'll almost definitely get bumped into more than once. One major downside is the air conditioning... or lack of it. It gets hot inside, so expect to leave sweaty. The lines to get in can be long, so plan ahead if you're heading there on a busy night. Also, the security team can come off a bit intense and power-trippy at times, which can be a bit of a buzzkill. All that said, if you're in the mood to dance, let loose, and don't mind a little chaos, Varnish can be a fun and wild night out -- just know what you're walking into!

If you like the bar scene this maybe it locally...Ashley the Barkeep, was very cordial and…read moreknowledgeable. While strolling thru Wilmington we happened here for a few drinks. Apparently this is the place for the younger set in the evening, within a multi-level building. Music and dancing, but check to see what nites they are open.