Stopped by WTF in Wilmington. Very cool place with a great vibe. Plenty of comfortable seating, TVs…read moreeverywhere, pool table, and even more space upstairs. Service was excellent and the location is perfect if you're out downtown. Drinks were a mixed bag. The smoked Old Fashioned looked good but wasn't anything special. My Kiss of Fire had a nice spicy kick at first, but it watered down really quickly, probably from the ice, so it didn't hold up the way I hoped. Overall though, it's a cool spot with great service and a fun atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Wilmington.

Cocktails and live music were awesome but music was SO loud!!! The band and singer were really…read moreexceptional so my friend and I were happy to sit and listen to them while we enjoyed our cocktails, but had to leave after one drink because we couldn't hear a word each other said, even in the upstairs area (as far as we could get from the music). My espresso martini was delicious but a little pricey. If I were looking to sit by myself and listen to music, this would be a great spot - just not ideal for the start to a night out with friends due to the noise level. I wish there were a more secluded area we could choose to sit in to hear each other.

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.

It was a Sunday night and the bartender was extremely rude. Worked about as slow as he could, had…read moreno personality, and tried as hard as possible to do as little as possible. We just wanted a bottled beer. Do better bro.

Bartender was unfriendly and rude when I tried to order 2 bottled beers. The atmosphere of the…read moreplace was really cool but it was honestly ruined by the poor attitude of the bartender.

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..

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.

What a fantastic evening at Dram Yard…read more We were a little concerned we might miss our 5:30 reservation after getting delayed by a seven-car accident on the bridge, but we arrived just a couple of minutes late and it wasn't an issue at all. From the moment we arrived, the experience was relaxed, welcoming, and exactly what we needed. We chose to sit in the beautiful courtyard, and with temperatures in the 70s, sunshine overhead, and a gentle breeze, it couldn't have been a more perfect setting. The outdoor gazebo bar creates a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying a cocktail before dinner, and if the weather isn't cooperating, the indoor dining space is equally inviting. A special thank you to Sarah, whose service was outstanding. She was cheerful, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which made for a peaceful and unhurried dining experience. For drinks, I ordered the Ghost Town, while my wife enjoyed the Venus Flytrap. Both were beautifully prepared and easy to see why they're among the restaurant's popular cocktails. The food was equally impressive. I had the Spaghetti Carbonara, and it was exceptional. The kitchen even accommodated my request for extra freshly cracked black pepper, which took an already excellent dish to another level. My wife ordered the Little Gem Salad with shrimp, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We also shared the Tuna Tartare Tostada, which was outstanding--beautiful presentation, fresh tuna, and a great balance of textures and flavors. Adding to the experience was a bottle of Albariño that paired wonderfully with the meal. What stands out most about Dram Yard is its atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can settle in, slow down, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, and forget about the stresses of the day. Whether you're looking for a date night, an evening with friends, or simply a quiet place to relax, Dram Yard delivers. Excellent service, creative cocktails, outstanding food, and one of the most relaxing outdoor dining spaces in Wilmington. We'll definitely be back.

This was the 3rd time we've been here. The first two times we did not make it to the table because…read moreof the service. They generally do not care about the customer at all. The star of the show is definitely the food. The chef is super proud of his food, and he should be. The only reason I'm giving this a 4 on food instead of a 5 is because there was no iced tea (in the summer in the carolinas - not really forgivable) the water was nasty and the biscuits on my Benedict were towards the burnt side on the bottom. Honestly, everything otherwise was amazing. What was really great: The restaurant itself is AMAZING! It's like being transported to a Parisian cafe. I love that when you walk in, you immediately see the fully in view kitchen. I'm assuming a chef owns the restaurant and designed the layout. The patio is quaint and delightful and surprisingly private for a downtown sidewalk restaurant. The eggs on my Eggs Benedict could not have been more perfect. I'm not a fried potato person; however, the pan fried potatoes here are mostly whole and they are out of this world. They were exceedingly crispy on the outside and completely soft on the inside. My son ordered the dutch baby. It was delicious. The accompanied fruit was perfect and truly ripe. I feel like they would have to toss a lot of fruit to get the ones that were truly that perfect. What did not work: The water - it was about 85 degrees out and humid. There is nothing here refreshing. Water is served European style meaning no ice and out of the tap. Warm tap water on a hot day in South Carolina is just nasty. It's ironic that while Europeans visiting the US for the World Cup are posting social media reels raving about ice in drinks in the United States, meanwhile The Dram Yard is insisting on pulling all of the worst parts of eating out in Europe into their restaurant. I truly dislike restaurants that serve canned and bottled beverages. It screams, "nickel and dime". If you bought your cans of soda at Costco and charged $4.00 for a can, I'd have to drink 9 cans before you're losing money. There is literally no reason to limit beverages other than driving higher profits. I hate price gouging. At the very least get a fountain and serve iced tea. SERVICE - the service staff simply makes you feel like they're doing you a favor by being open. Don't expect anything after that. When we arrived, the restaurant was at about 25% capacity with 2 food servers, who also double as the hostess. After waiting 10 minutes to be seated (yes...even at 25% capacity), service truly went downhill from there. It wasn't that the staff was rude. They were just not present and extremely slow. It honestly seemed like they were doing everything they could to not be seen. We needed salt, a refill of the water carafe and our check. That was it. The staff would come to our part of the dining room but then not even glance around or come by to see if we needed anything. I'm giving them a 2 because they were exceedingly slow and not present. When we did chase them down, I felt rude asking for help. The chef delivered our food. He was very proud and should be. However, here's the rub. The chef needs to learn that being in the restaurant business is not only about creating great food. It also requires front of house service and an overall dining experience that people are happy with. Right now, I'm walking away feeling: 1. great food and great atmosphere 2. terrible service 3. nickle and dimed me on drinks 4. doesn't have the sense to serve iced tea in the Caronlinas So - as much as I loved the food - there are too many restaurants in Wilmington that are good enough to overcome 2, 3 and 4 above. The Dram could be fixed so easily: 1. hire servers who want to be there and smile a little 2. put ice in your water 3. serve iced tea - at least in the summer months 4. get a soda fountain - it's 2026 Unfortunately, we won't be back because there are simply other options that, at the very least, hit 1, 2 and 3 with good food.

I am very much into cocktails, and this is my favorite spot in Wilmington. They go out of their…read moreway to make off menu curated drinks suited to your interests. Bree always has a smile as she welcomes you in and provides great service. Well worth the annual $25 fee to have access to this place. The vibe is great, prices are fair. Our new go to pre-dinner drink place.

Great place to hang and get some great cocktails , awesome service and very friendly bartendersread more

christian is so awesome! we loved him, came for a bachelorette. Will definitely be back!read more

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!