This place is kind of hidden. It's basically in a basement in the back of a building. 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 read more

Cute little pub I happened to discover while waiting for dinner. It is right underneath the Little Dipper. 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! read more

See all

Super cool! Hole in the wall vibe with great service. Retro games. Limited seating but who cares. Stand and drink your heart away. read more

Lula's a Pub - a billiards table with neon lights - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Walked in and loved the vibe of this bar. - this was on a Saturday night, not dead slow but certainly not busy, as we have worked in the service industry - We were really excited for a new local spot... Until we went to the bar. Asked the bartender for a Mich Ultra - to which he got visibly unset and said they didn't have it.. asked for a bud light - again visibly upset and very rudely responded "we do not have anheuser busch products.." okay... didn't help much for our decision until he pointed to the shelf of beers. Finally we got our decided upon yuengling. Shortly after, my boyfriend went to ask for a glass of water - he was not drinking as he was responsibly driving. The same bartender gave him a bottle of water and wanted to charge him a dollar, having no cash he asked for a glass of tap water. The bartender responded with, I'm too busy and would not get it. We later asked the barback for a glass of water and he "couldn't get it" because we needed to order from the bartender. Who wouldn't get it... the fact that they were not that busy and would not get someone a glass of water is horrible. Even if they had been busy. In an alcohol filled environment, water should be easily accessible. So disappointing. read more

Great little spot for a drink. Big John filled us in on the history of the place and served up some excellent drafts and mixed drinks. Since they also have Guinness on tap,, I'll definitely be back. What a great find in downtown Wilmington. Be sure to try them out!! read more

This is a bar I can see myself spending a lot of time in. It's small, it's dark, it's tough to find, and half of those who do find it decide it's "not their type of establishment" and head back up the damp, claustrophobic tunnel they braved to get down there in the first place. And for all of these reasons and more, I instantly loved it. This is a bar where you come to hide out, to talk shop with the bartender, to drink beers (or wells), to not be seen in the scene. An easy Wilmington favorite in my book. read more

Lula's a Pub - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I love Lula's. I always have and always will. Great jukebox, great nasty old foosball table, great atmosphere. It's a dive bar and will always be, but in the best possible way. Wait- maybe the bathrooms are too clean to be classified as a dive bar, but oh well. Even after many years, I can walk in and it's still the same place. Not many places in Wilmington can say that. Oh, and you can always tell by how drunk/buzzed you are by how successfully you can navigate the tunnel to the stairs when you go to leave. Try it and you'll see what I mean. read more

A Wilmington staple. This dive bar is the perfect escape out of the craziness that is downtown. The drinks are cheap, the people are cool, and it's never unbearably crowded but it's always a good time. I've been coming here for years with my theatre buddies and will continue to come here whenever I'm in town. Stop by this underground treasure. 4.8/5 read more

Perfect little hole in the wall. Fun patio, great service at just the right price. No frills or bullcrap here! Prices are just right! read more

Went with my wife and our friends who had told us about Lula's and I've been wanting to go. It's a little hard to find and it's underground! The bar is pretty small but has a really cool vibe, makes you feel like you've found some secret location. It's also part of the ghost tour! They have a decent beer selection, good prices and a jukebox so we were set! The place has an interesting history and the bartender was really cool. Looking forward to going back soon! read more

I'm hesitant, really, to write a review, because I don't want Lula's suddenly overrun by out of towners (no offense, except, well, some offense). I myself am technically an out of towner---a Durhamite---but I visit one of my best good friends---a Wilmingtonian---with increasing regularity, so I do not consider myself a tourist. Lula's, a haunted part of the Underground Railroad, is a tiny, divey, hot subterranean joint with a decent beer selection and reasonable prices. When crowded, expect to sweat, because the place becomes a veritable sauna with very little air circulation. Local steampunk-types play movie trivia and various other games here. They'll dominate several tables. Since I'm as avid about cinema as these film geeks were, I thought they were a'ight. I found myself whispering the answers to my husband (also a film nerd) before the teams called them out, kind of wishing I was playing ... Surprisingly tidy toilets, a friendly bartender, and a killer jukebox really tied the room together. Oh, and the eerie atmosphere underlying the jubilation did, too. I could just tell the place was haunted before I'd even heard anything about it. I won't go into details here, because you may very well think I'm nutters, but the joint is haunted, yo. Upstairs and outdoors you'll find a covered patio area where the smokers and drunkards congregate and, even back in this little alley off the main drag, you'll experience that delicious ocean breeze on warm summer nights. On this particular evening, sitting near us outdoors was a weepy, drama-magnet drunk girl loudly sharing her dark night of the soul with some sensitive steampunk dude. I hope they found true love and all, but also wished they would've kept their voices down. I wouldn't bring your crew of bachelorettes or frat bros here, causing a bunch of ruckus in this laid-back joint. You'll be a nuisance for sure. But, if you're just chillin and looking for a place off the beaten, give Lula's a go. read more

One minute, I was playing Apples to Apples with locals and one of the bartenders.... next minute, woke up on Wrightsville Beach under the full moon. So I'm assuming I had at least a 4-star night here. What everyone else is describing about tunnels and stairs (and I remember ivies on trellises) is now coming back to me. I'm also recalling that I didn't sense that it was a true dive, but that's probably because I'm coming from the NYC perspective, where most things are dirty and thus impart a divey vibe on just about everything, leaving legit dives in other towns looking like family restaurants. But if by "dive" you mean a bunch of characters (i.e. army men on leave, spooky yet harmless locals, married couples who seem very available, sunburnt Southern boys in polo shirts), then Lula's certainly has that. My conclusion is that this is a friendly, quirky safe haven and authentic drinking hole loved by Wilmington and their people. I cannot, however, speak to that unaccounted period of time that lapsed between being at the bar and ending up back on WB. read more

We LOVED this place, how can you not enjoy a friendly bar in the basement of a haunted building?! The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly, and quite on top of things. It does get loud and a little crazy the later it gets, but that's a good thing! We'll go back every time we stay in Wilmington. read more

See all

Lula's kills. I take everyone that visits on the dive bar crawl of Wilmington and Lula's is my 2nd to last (penultimate?) clincher before closing at Satellite. This is the place to knock back whiskeys, rock the juke, play it cool and blennnnnnnd in. My first review of Lula's somehow violated the Yelp guidelines (giving 1 stars to legit dive bars/reverse dive bar scoring system is apparently not cool). I still think I don't want the Raleigh tourists to find out about this gem and I would debate this decision to my death. Go there while Lula's is still cool. read more

Excellent dive bar in a historical (haunted) site! I don't know from personal experience that it's haunted but the bar tender can tell of some interesting accounts! The drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is cozy and old! I'll definitely go back when in town! read more

Lula's a Pub, inventors of the Gasoline Milkshake! Great bar. Killer jukebox. Cheap drinks. I wish I was there now! read more

See all

This place is rad! My buddies and I got hustled by an assuming foosball wizard lady but it was fun. It's in an alley so follow the signs. Classic dive bar, but make your own memories! read more

I hope no one finds out about this gem. This place isn't easy to find and looks like you're heading into the dungeon of hell. All of which makes it awesome. The bartender was awesome, the music was a great mix, and the beer selection was good and cold. A picture of this place is in the dictionary under Dive Bar! The best! read more

Cozy little spot in downtown Wilmington. Great prices, great foosball, great atmosphere. Highly recommended for small groups who actually want to be able to hear each other on evenings out. read more

Best local secret. It's under the Little Dipper. It's small but don't let that fool ya!

We have never eaten here but have been here several times to try and enjoy the entertainers on the outside deck. The service there is horribly disorganized and wait times are so bad that after the third time, we left after waiting for at least 20 minutes and not once during that time, being acknowledged by the wait staff or even being offered a drink or food menu. NOT a good way to service local customers! read more

Great dive bar with only the best bartenders and regulars. I also bring boating friends here to escape the shit show of downtown. Was here Monday night for a beautiful midnight wedding. This place is far from pretentious and it's easy to get a great drink among old friends or meet new ones read more

This is a place you can go relax have a good time and hide from hordes of tourists. It can be tough to find but when you to it is a sanctuary for Good times read more

Hey woah there's a bar in Wilmington for miserable artist folks?! Sounds great, SIGN ME UP. Turns out it's Lula's. Pull up a seat at the bar, THE GAME IS ON. What's on the jukebox? NOTHING. You don't wanna hear about the bartender's craft brue? TOO BAD. Hold onto your hats, folks, the entire cast of whatever garbage is playing at Thalian Hall is about to come in for an after the show circle jerk and then abruptly leave. Is it over yet? Can I leave? I'm leaving. read more

The first time I went to Lula's a Pub, I loved it. The atmosphere was chill, the music wonderful, and the bar in a basement But I will never go back to Lula's again. On the way in, a woman announced she was leaving because of all "the a@*holes" there. I thought she meant other patrons, but our small group of friends quickly found out they meant the barkeep. Upon entering, we were asked to show our IDs, which is standard. My friends and I gladly did. After a pit stop, I joined my friends at the bar. The bartender (the one working there around midnight on Saturday, October 2), carded my two friends again after he had served another friend whom he had carded just that one time when we entered. One friend he carded twice is from out of state. The bartender accused my friend of using a fake ID. The bartender said he's from that state and he'd never seen an ID like that from that state. Therefore, he refused to serve my friend. From my understanding, bartenders can refuse to serve people by their own discretion. So why he didn't just do that instead of refusing to serve us AND accuse my friend of having a fake Id? He said he was also from where my friend is from and he'd never seen a state ID like that. Unless he's just moved from out of that state, how does he know what that state's ID looks like now? That bartender has lived in Wilmington awhile, long enough to work a stretch for two area bars, including Lula's. In my opinion, his reasoning was not a good enough to not serve my friend. He said, "I'm from there. I've never seen an ID like this." My friend has carried that same ID to two different NC DMVs and they ran his information just fine. But some bartender who happened not to see that particular design from that state thinks it's not legit? Okay. That's when we realized the woman was referencing the bartender. That group we met on the way out was HUGE. Then, out of our group of four, only one of us spent our money there (and only because he ordered before my other friends ordered). In Lula's, there's a sign that asks for people to wear their masks because Lula's doesn't want to be shut down another seven months. With a bartender like that working there turning away about 16 customers within 30 minutes, Lula's may need to consider closing up shop as a preemptive strategy. I know my whole student I go to grad school will never darken that establishment's door again because we will be spreading the word about what happened. I'm beyond disappointed that a place that once made us feel so welcome always would turn on us like that. read more

This is a great dive bar. You have to look for this bar to find it but it was a cool find. Very chill vibe and great place to hang.

One of my local spots. Great dive and great people. Lots of history in this pub setting with the owner living close by and host to friends and good spirits. read more

One of the very few downtown bars I'll go to. Great staff, great prices and a great hideaway spot.

This is the bar you go to when everyone in the group is undecided on where to go next. It's simple, small, and usually filled with locals. This is not a tourist trap. It's an honest bar, with lots of room for smokers outside, and very decent prices. I've been coming here for 8 years and I don't plan on stopping any time soon. I've always thought the crowd was very chill and I have never had a bad night here. read more

This is the epitome of the dive bar. Hard to find, lots of history, dark cavelike, good drinks, jukebox, interesting people, and just a great vibe. read more

Great hole-in-the-wall nightcap bar. Chill environment, good prices, good whisky selection with good pours, and great outdoor seating.

Great place for regulars and newcomers alike. Their slogan is "If you can't find us, there's a reason..." It's located beneath the Little Dipper on the corner of Front Street and Orange Street. Very small but very friendly, with an outdoor patio area for smokers. read more

Lula's is a great locals pub with a low-key atmosphere and friendly faces. This underground hidden delight is one of Wilmington's oldest downtown pubs and has not changed much over the years, making people feel right at home. It is the place to go if you want to relax, talk, listen to music, play some games and meet some cool people. The outside patio is great for added space and comfort. It really is Wilmington's best kept secret. read more

I really dig hanging out at this pub. It's hard to find, but worth a look. Great drink prices, cool tunes and one TV. It is what it is, and that is all I want in a bar. read more

I love this place and have been coming here since we moved a few years ago. Such a great atmosphere and historic feel to it. Nice and dark and cavern like, a bit sweaty at times but that almost adds to the vibe. It's located on the South end of downtown and is a nice hideaway from all of that ridiculousness. Generally I will skip all of that crap and hang at Lulas or Opera Room on the North side. Skip the mid downtown scene, and check out a real bar with an authentic personality. read more

Don't even bring anything valuable to LuLus-their employees aren't trustworthy! I left a $300 Stella McCartney jacket there and called the next day which the guy said they had and would keep until I picked it up. When I went the next week to get it, they couldn't find it anywhere and told me maybe it got misplaced and to come back. I called several times and it was never to be found. Granted it was my fault for leaving it but the fact that it was in their possession when I called the first time makes me very upset that someone would steal the jacket knowing it wasn't theirs, they should be ashamed to wear that around. I will not give my business back to this bar! read more

A very hole in the wall place. Finding the entrance was a little confusing but going through the small tunnel, you find yourself in a small dive joint where u can listen to a variety of music and have great conversations. The beer that was suggested (dolphin head) was great, sorta bitter but not. The atmosphere is pretty casual and u can tell its more of a local scene than not. Great place to check out and ill def go back if i'm ever in wilmington again. read more