One of my favorite cocktail bars in town. This speakeasy inspired bar in the alleyway is marked with the elephant sign so you know you're in the right place. Inside, you check into the "club" (they still require a membership fee) and then you're welcome in. They have 5 cocktails that rotate depending on the month, and their skilled bartenders write each one. I love their mules on tap - complete with housemade ginger beer! The ambiance is lovely. Thursday-Saturday has live piano - check their socials for times. They really do have some of the best cocktails in town. You get what you pay for in the best way! Only complaint is the way they've made it a "speakeasy themed" bar as opposed to a speakeasy with the way they've been lax on other elements that make them seem more commercial (merch). Otherwise, it's a great spot to be! read more

The Blind Elephant - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

The bartenders and door dude were super rude. Door dude came to ask us to be quiet. We honestly weren't being super loud but we had a group of 10, so with that many people talking and laughing it can make a joyous sound. He said the owner "likes it to be quiet". So if you want to drink and whisper, this is your spot. Maybe the owner should have opened a library instead of a bar?! read more

Interesting place. From the "secret code word " through a slit in the door to the quiet alcoves and very talented bartenders, we enjoyed some delicious drinks and will return for more!! read more

Heard a lot of this bar. Wouldn't consider it a speakeasy. Maybe speakeasy influenced. Finally came in on my birthday with my husband and friends after hearing all the hype, the door man was the nicest person in staff. The bartenders seemed annoyed that our group was here. The male bartender with glasses seemed so annoyed while taking our order and just tossed our debit cards on the bar with even more annoyance when we decided to close out. We wouldn't have closed out if the atmosphere was better. read more

Definitely one of our favorite spots in Wilmington. Love the piano player. Bar staff are awesome. Just good vibes all around. read more

The Blind Elephant - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We spent the weekend in Wilmington and were looking for a spot for a nightcap. We were wandering along Front Street trying to find this place and luckily some locals pointed us down the correct alley. When we walked in they asked us if we were members, which we were not, but turns out the membership is only $5 for a whole year, so we went ahead and paid that and found a seat at the bar. The cocktails all had unique flavors with different spirits for everyone's tastes. You can tell they put the same amount of time in creating these cocktails as chefs would a signature dish. I wanted to try something a bit different than I would normally order since they offered such unique drinks. I ordered the Cabrini-Green, which was a mix of vodka, lillet blanc, matcha, and lavender bitters. I'm a sucker for lavender, so I loved this drink. I usually am not a huge fan of matcha, but it was just the right amount that it didn't taste grassy. It was a well balanced cocktail that I enjoyed sipping throughout the night. My boyfriend is more of a bourbon guy, so he ordered an equally delicious cocktail. I loved the speakeasy vibe of this place and it was nice to be able to hold a conversation in a bar instead of having to yell over music. This place is definitely on the pricier side for the area, but it's worth it for the level of mixology going on. If you're in Wilmington and looking for a great cocktail, check this place out! read more

The Blind Elephant - Cabrini-Green: matcha, lavender bitters, vodka, lillet blanc. Garnished with lavender flowers - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This place was awesome. I actually stopped in twice in one night while visiting Wilmington. The bartenders are great and the cocktails are even better. I tried one of the house cocktails first and then requested my favorite drink, The Old Cuban. The bartenders did not know the drink, but quickly looked it up and nailed it on the first try. It gets super busy on weekend nights, so stop by early if you're not into crowds. read more

The Blind Elephant - Upstairs Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Laughable. $5 cover on a Tuesday and 2 people are in the whole bar. I come in with 4 prepared to spend $200. We walk out. read more

$5 membership for what? What are you providing? Please don't say an experience. Well renowned cocktail lounges don't charge memberships, nor do other places in Wilmington with quality drinks and service. Just around the corner are well made cocktails and a good vibe without elitist memberships. Even when I worked at bars downtown the membership card was only pulled to discriminate read more

Lovely little speakeasy nook for drinks. Plenty of space, great live music, and very friendly bartenders with a vast array of drinks to try out. Out go-to before date night dinners every time! read more

Such a cool experience! My favorite speak easy in Wilmington! Amazing cocktails! And the best bartenders

Went here for a whiskey tasting and loved the speakeasy vibe from the entrance in an alley to the dark interior to the photos of infamous gangsters hung throughout like family portraits. Everything on their menu is made in-house so the level of mixology here is high. Loved the experience and plan to return on my next visit to try out some of their signature drinks. read more

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4 stars because of the $5 "membership" fee required to enter. That is silly and unnecessary, especially for a spot I will only go once - I don't want to be a member! But, it an intimate spot to enjoy a coctail or two. Dark and small inside and I'd assume it gets cramped on a Friday or Saturday but we enjoyed the dark, private vibe of this place. read more

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The best speakeasy in town. Perfect for a date or night out with friends. The bartenders and staff are excellent. The drinks are exceptional. I consider all of their events, from Gatsby Anniversary Parties, to the Kentucky Derby don't miss events. read more

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This is a private club. A speakeasy. You can walk past it a thousand times ... and I did. HOWEVER, when my wife and I discovered it. WOW. We make it a point to stop by every time we are in the area. The cocktails are awesome, the bartenders are top notch. The atmosphere is prohibition era modern with a live piano and raw brickworks. AWESOME. read more

When I saw there was a speakeasy right below the Airbnb I was at the only option was to go. Love the atmosphere and the piano music. Grabbed an old fashion at the bar upstairs and it was great! As other people have mentioned you have to be a member which costs $5 but it is worth it. read more

The Blind Elephant - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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What an absolute joke. We just paid $48 for two cocktails plus a $5 "membership" fee per person. They don't allow you to bring a guest, so even though I signed up for a membership, my husband also had to get one. Over priced, staff with attitudes, honestly? I won't be back. read more

I love this place! Not sure how I haven't reviewed yet. We've been quite a few times and there's often someone on the piano. The upstairs lounge area is cool, and we've loved all the drinks we had (crushed that summer is over and as such the weekend at bernies is gone). They do require proof of vaccination, but a picture on your phone is sufficient for this. I just learned recently that you can order cocktails or have the bartender craft one for you based on flavors you like. read more

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Very cool speakeasy type place with excellent bartenders. Drinks are pricey, but of high quality. Would definitely recommend checking this place out if only for the ambiance read more

This is probably the best bar in Wilmington. I love the whole scene. The decor, the excitement of even trying to found the place and the delicious mocktails and cocktails. Once you walk through the doors you are transported into the 1920's prohibition gangster era. The whole atmosphere was really chill and I love the seating arrangements. This is a place that I would go back to time and time again. read more

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Love this place! The entry is similar to a speakeasy and membership is required here. The cocktails are so good! Made well and quickly. Plenty of seating and the layout is really nice. Someone was playing the piano while I was there. Looking forward to trying more of the drinks here. read more

The Blind Elephant - Empress New Groove - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

In for work from San Diego, and a little bird told me not to miss their craft cocktails. On my walk to it a 20-something said "good evening Sir" in passing. Made me feel old (!) but I reciprocated in kind, and it set the vibe for the night. Didn't disappoint, very nice bartender and Manager on a slow Sunday night. Perfect rye Old Fashioned... or 2. Well done! And a bargain for the craft quality, ambiance, and nice conversations with fellow patrons. North Carolina hospitality is real. Highly recommend. read more

The Blind Elephant - a glass of whiskey and a vase of flowers - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I came here Saturday night w my work team this weekend. This place was interesting and somewhat disappointing. If they get their service together, it may have potential. It's definitely not a high quality speak easy. Nice attempt but no...it's a walk in bar with no servers, very limited seating, and pre-made cocktails. I will say the drinks tasted great though. But the service from the socially awkward bartenders was lackluster. Also, consider a more talented pianist who doesn't have to bang on the keys playing, Charlie Brown soundtrack selections. It was loud and made conversation a challenge Maybe more classic jazz tunes to set the ambiance. Not coming back. If you want a better speak easy experience go to Earnest Money & Sons a few blocks away. read more

This was my second time to the Blind Elephant. We stopped in for a quick cocktail on a Saturday night and had no issues getting in or finding a comfy seat. Dont forget about the weird NC bar member laws, it's only $1. The menu was quite limited but I assume they could likely whip up anything you'd like. We had the plum rum and plot twist cocktails and both were flavorful and fun; albeit fairly one dimensional. Not the best or most creative cocktails but likely the best in Wilmington. I love the speakeasy-esque ambiance, comfortable seating, and black and white movie showing. Service was a little slow but these are craft cocktails so it takes a little longer. It seems the mules are on tap so it may be difficult to customize. Happy crafting! read more

The Blind Elephant - Plot Twist, Plum Rum Tea - Lounges Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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So fun! The bartender created the best drink I have ever had! Such a neat haunt! Highly recommend.

Super slick speak easy bar. $5 per year to join, but crazy quaint spot with tasty--reasonably priced--drinks, and piano players Thurs--Saturday. New mainstay for me read more

It was a little strange. Cool at the Same time. It's worth a visit but I wouldn't be a regular. Seems to try to be a sort of a speakeasy but was empty when I went and very dark. Eel read more

So many things to love here! Chill atmosphere, interesting drinks and the piano music make it one of my favorite places in Wilmington! Loved their Halloween decor...hopefully I can get there to see what they do for the Dec holiday season! read more

I bring my friends here every time we're in Wilmington. It's such an interesting, different location from the typical Wilmy bar scene. It's tucked away in an alley way and most people I've met have only discovered it by accident or word-of-mouth, making it even more exciting to explore. The only way to know it's there is by the inconspicuous sign of an elephant hanging above the doorway. When you walk inside, you're greeted by an attendant who helps you get settled and processes your membership (which is only a few dollars and covers a couple of guests). The bar is fairly large with an expansive bar area, pool tables, couches, and upstairs seating. The cocktails are all delicious and creative. They usually have cocktails on tap and deals going depending on the day. I like the mezcal cocktails, but everything I've had there is excellent. I highly recommend for a small group of friends or a date night. read more

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Great atmosphere if a bit pricey. But the drinks are good and the service was great. Good for a date or with a group. Seating is private.

Tipped over 50% hoping some would go to the phenomenal elderly pianist whom really moved me that night. Bartender said they couldn't do cash back. Couldn't even pull cash out of the tip jar. I highly doubt a manager couldn't accomodate. Decent drinks and atmosphere but they seem super pretentious. Another gentleman asked if they could put the ball game on their tables TV, he was firmly told "no this isn't a sports bar". If you're into the condescending hipster vibe this could be your spot... read more

What a cool little place! Although I thought going down a back alley at night with only another girl by my side might not be such a great idea, it turned out to be more than fine. There was a small sign with a mysterious elephant that marked the way to the bar, which led to a dimly lit door up some small steps. Upon entering The Blind Elephant, you are immediately drawn in by the huge bar, blue backlighting, and large brick walls. It's definitely a speakeasy feel, down to the outfits worn by the bartenders. It's a beautiful bar with an interesting selection of unique cocktails. The service is timely, even though the cocktails take a little bit to make, as they are quite complex and use fresh ingredients. Without a doubt, I would visit here again. read more

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Their requirement for wanting to know my personal medical information is a violation of HIPPA. I will not return to this place ever again.